A 27-year jewelry design vet, Patrick Dobbs works for Dianna Rae Jewelry in Lafayette, LA. Growing up in West Texas, his passion for jewelry began when a teacher offered him a job making belt buckles. It was this teacher who encouraged Patrick to pursue a career in the jewelry industry.
Today, Patrick is a jack-of-all-trades. Not only does he design, but he also sells, uses CAD, milling, 3D printing, stone setting, fabrication, and more. For him, working under pressure is a daily thing; especially on days he bezel sets a $10,000 Tanzanite!
“It can be very technical and challenging,” says Patrick, talking about creating special jewelry for someone. “But, it can also be very emotionally rewarding.” One of the pieces he remembers most is a mother’s ring he created for a mother who had recently lost a child. “To her, that ring meant the world.”
Another neat fact: Patrick has made quite a bit of jewelry for professional athletes. He once made a pendant for his favorite team’s running back. When the running back was interviewed on TV after winning a playoff game, he was wearing the pendant Patrick made. “It was quite a rush to see that, especially after a playoff win,” says Patrick.
During his free time, Patrick loves to work out, and even though he’s not great at it, he also likes to play tennis. He also spends his free time working on his Jeep Wrangler. Whether it’s jewelry or cars he enjoys working with his hands.
When asked about his favorite part of the job, “it’s all about the reveal,” he says. “Seeing a customer’s face light up when they see the jewelry that I’ve worked so hard to create is indescribable.”
Here are some of Patrick’s past creations:
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Which is your favorite Patrick Dobbs piece? Tell us in the comment section below.
