ALCHEMY AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Alchemy is a magical process of transformation. The mythical transmutation of base metals into gold is a powerful symbol for finding the sublime in the mundane.
Throughout our lives there are occasions and rites of passage that we signify with jewelry. We also use jewelry as an everyday amulet to attract specific energies or to create the ideal of beauty we’d like to project.
We take joy in finding the spirit within metal, stone and crystal to transform them into these magical objects for you.
“When the alchemist speaks of Mercurius, on the face of it he means quicksilver (mercury), but inwardly he means the world-creating spirit concealed or imprisoned in matter.” Carl Jung
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I worked with Dave on restoring a 19th c Manchurian Buddha statue - we replaced semi-precious stones in the crown and earrings - he did an excellent job and brought an ocean of ideas to the project that worked beautifully ... he was great to work with, a gentleman, I am looking to create some new projects we can work on together ... he also polished a large bronze mirror for me - he has expert and modest qualities not often found these days.
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My experience with David was completely different. Working with him in his home had a completely different energy. Felt totally at ease, he was willing to accommodate anything and when asked gave his opinion/suggestions. Totally sweet guy and the ring is stunning. Needless to say excited to begin planning our wedding bands with David soon!
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Dave is rad! If you want unique, one-of-a-kind jewelry, Dave is your guy!!! He made our wedding rings and every time I look at them I fall in love all over again.
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Dave is super nice, down-to-earth, and extremely reasonable in his pricing. An amazing jeweler, and a more amazing human being.
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David designed a beautiful, unique wedding ring for me. He listened to me and created a piece of art that has so much meaning for me and my future husband. I couldn't be happier, and I highly recommend him.
MADE BY HAND, ONE PIECE AT A TIME
All of our jewelry is designed and handmade onsite at our shop in Oakland, California. We make use of both time-honored techniques, such as lost wax casting, and new technology, like CAD and 3D printing.
In addition to exceeding the Green Business standards for waste reduction and resource conservation, we continuously innovate with new ways to conserve resources and increase efficiency while maintaining the highest standards of quality and service.
This includes using the least harmful chemicals, employing innovative recycling and reuse methodologies, and taking measures to reduce emissions, water usage and energy usage. We carefully source our materials from green and conflict-free sources.
THE MAKER
Mercurius Founder David Thorp is a classically trained bench jeweler and metalsmith with two decades of experience.
He has worked in the world of fine jewelry since 1997, after receiving a BFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts. After graduation, he apprenticed with Arts and Crafts Movement legend, Bob Winston, and European Master Jeweler, Thaddeus Hutten of Hutten Jewelers in San Francisco; and he has worked as a bench jeweler at multiple high-end shops in the Bay Area.
David is on the faculty at The Crucible in Oakland, and has taught metalwork and jewelry courses at Sierra Nevada College. He has pioneered several innovative casting techniques, and is currently co-authoring a book on this subject.
David is passionate about making things and brings creative genius and exacting standards to all of his work. When he’s not making jewelry, he loves sculpture, woodworking, herbal medicines, cooking, homesteading and most of all his wife and daughters (aka tomorrow’s jewelers).