Sixty episodes in, and we’re finally explaining ourselves. Whether that helps our reputation is another story.

On Episode 60 of the Bench Jeweler Memes Podcast, it’s just Dusty and Brad doing what they do best: talking shop, making each other laugh, and seeing how far off topic they can get before remembering there was a topic.

We’ve got “Shop Talk,” Buy Me a Coffee readings, and a trip back to where it all started: how we each got into the wild, chaotic jewelry industry. Consider it an origin story refresher for longtime listeners and a proper introduction for everyone who’s joined the nonsense along the way.

Back in Episode One, we had no clue what we were doing. Sixty episodes later, we’ve at least gotten more comfortable with that.

If you’re a bench jeweler, goldsmith, jewelry store owner, apprentice, or someone wondering how people end up making a career in jewelry, pull up a chair. There are actual stories about getting into the trade buried somewhere in all this ridiculousness.

Real jewelers. Questionable tangents. Your occasionally helpful jewelry industry podcast.

Thanks for listening, following, and sharing Bench Jeweler Memes—and to our Buy Me a Coffee supporters for continuing to fund poor decisions.

Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes

// Want to support the page & podcast?

https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes

Being a bench jeweler in 2026 comes with plenty to talk about—and sometimes you need people who actually understand what happens behind the bench.

In Episode 59 of the Bench Jeweler Memes podcast, Dusty and Brad welcome Kevin Anderson, who launched a Discord community just for bench jewelers. We talk about why he created the group, the heart behind it, and the value of connecting with other people who understand this wonderfully weird corner of the jewelry industry.

Naturally, staying on one topic was never going to happen.

From bench jeweler burnout to life outside the jewelry store, the conversation takes plenty of detours into the funny, frustrating, and relatable parts of making a living in this trade. It’s a little shop talk, a little perspective, and the usual amount of “how did we get on this subject?”

Whether you’re a bench jeweler, jewelry store owner, or jewelry repair professional, pull up a chair. You’re among your people.

Bench Jeweler Memes: a jewelry industry podcast with real conversations, questionable tangents, and people who get it.

JOIN THE DISCORD FOR BENCH JEWELERS:

https://discord.gg/Zrj2XfaUuj

Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes

// Want to support the page & podcast?

https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes

Funny customer stories, frustrated jewelers, and a reminder that some things matter a whole lot more than what’s happening at the bench.

In Episode 58 of the Bench Jeweler Memes podcast, Dusty and Brad let off a little steam about life in the jewelry industry. From funny and frustrating customer experiences to comments from fellow jewelers, we’re talking about the moments that make working in a jewelry store equal parts rewarding and ridiculous. If you’re a bench jeweler, handle jewelry repair, or spend your days behind the counter, you’ll probably recognize a few of these situations.

But this episode goes deeper than the usual complaining and sarcasm.

Our fellow jeweler and friend Travis Piper’s son has been battling cancer, and we take a moment to focus on his family’s experience and a fundraiser supporting Riley’s Children’s Hospital. We also talk about how the whiskey YouTube channel SLB Drinks connects to this effort—and why we want to use the Bench Jeweler Memes platform to help spread the word and give back.

We love a good laugh at the chaos of this industry. We also love seeing the jewelry community show up for something bigger. Stick around for this one, and help us bring some attention to a cause that deserves it.

Whether you can contribute or simply help spread the word, we appreciate you being part of this community. CHECK THE LONKS BELOW!

*NOTE: Every dollar sent to BJM “Buy Me a Coffee” through the end of October will go directly to Riley’s Children’s Hospital!

To support Dayton Piper directly:

https://gofund.me/dbf5446d2

SLB video talking about this years Riley’s Fundraiser:

https://youtu.be/a6RtmI47yPM?is=aDg-STw0kZEWXCDq

SLB Cares:

https://slbcares.org

Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes

// Want to support the page & podcast?

https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes

How much should a bench jeweler actually get paid—and why is finding and hiring one so difficult? In Episode 57 of the Bench Jeweler Memes podcast, Dusty and Brad welcome back Shawn Pryzeclawski for an honest conversation about bench jeweler salaries, hiring challenges, and the sometimes uncomfortable relationship between jewelry store owners and the people doing the work.

Shawn is a third-generation jeweler in Florida who runs a full-service jewelry store with a team of five bench jewelers. He brings experience from both the bench and the business side as we dig into some questions the jewelry industry doesn’t always know how to answer:

• What is a skilled bench jeweler really worth?
• Why is it so hard to find and hire bench jewelers?
• How should pay reflect skill, experience, and the work being done?
• How much do jewelry store owners and bench jewelers really need each other?

Turns out, “pay them what they’re worth” gets complicated when everyone has a different number in mind. There’s no exact science, and we certainly aren’t handing out a magic payroll formula. But between the laughs and uncomfortable questions, maybe we can help both sides understand each other a little better.

Whether you’re a bench jeweler, a jewelry store owner, or trying to build a stronger jewelry repair team, this one gives you plenty to think—and probably argue—about.

Want more of Shawn’s story? Check out Episode 20 for his first appearance on this jewelry industry podcast

Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes

// Want to support the page & podcast?

https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes

What happens when corporate speak meets the jewelry industry? Brad throws some painfully familiar corporate phrases at Dusty to see how well they translate to life as a bench jeweler. Spoiler: probably not well.

Then we dive into a post from Jewelers Helping Jewelers, wander completely off topic as usual, and somehow end up with Dusty secretly rage baiting Brad with some of the internet’s finest loaded questions.

But now we need YOUR help. What truly triggers a jeweler? What customer phrase, repair request, sales-floor comment, or jewelry-store situation immediately sends you off the rails?

Send us your stories, phrases and biggest jewelry industry pet peeves. We may use the best ones on an upcoming episode.

It’s another completely professional and occasionally helpful episode of the Bench Jeweler Memes Podcast — a weekly jewelry industry podcast for bench jewelers, jewelry store owners, goldsmiths, salespeople and anyone else surviving this wonderfully ridiculous industry.

Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes

// Want to support the page & podcast?

https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes

Episode 55: Benchies Be Like…

Apparently, there are A LOT of things that bother and offend bench jewelers.

This week we bounce around from the things that drive benchies crazy, to getting ready for the holiday season, to the never-ending adventure of bench jeweler job postings.

And, as usual, one topic somehow turns into a completely different topic that we absolutely did not plan on talking about. You know how we do.

It’s another episode of two bench jewelers talking shop, complaining a little, laughing a lot, and probably offending someone along the way.

IMPORTANT: Our Bench Jeweler Memes T-shirt pre-order ends September 30th! If you want one, don’t sleep on it!

https://bench-jeweler-media.myshopify.com/products/official-bjm-logo-tee-black-short-sleeve

Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes

// Want to support the page & podcast?

https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes

Episode 54 —

Nobody Said Selling Natural Diamonds Was Easy…

We’ve never sounded this grumpy.

This week, we’re diving into the frustration of selling natural diamonds when wholesalers are listing diamonds on retail websites at prices that can make your customers wonder why they should buy from you.

There’s a LOT of nuance here. We agree, we disagree, we get combative—and you can hear the frustration throughout the entire episode.

We want to hear from real jewelers: What are you seeing? How are you handling it? And are we completely nuts?

PLUS: Bench Jeweler Memes T-shirts are officially available for PRE-ORDER!

Come for the jewelry industry rant. Stay for the merch.

https://bench-jeweler-media.myshopify.com/products/official-bjm-logo-tee-black-short-sleeve

Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes

// Want to support the page & podcast?

https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes

EPISODE 53 — We’re Doing Our Best, People.

It’s Episode 53, and yeah… it’s a little shorter than usual. But listen, it was a LONG holiday weekend, the repair pile got a little out of control, and we’re just out here doing our best, people.

This week, we asked YOU guys to send us your opinions, stories, questions, and whatever else you felt like throwing our way. So we “quickly” run through some of your submissions and, naturally, have a few things to say about them.

BUT… the real highlight of this episode?

THE NEW SHIRTS ARE COMING.

Our brand-new Bench Jeweler Memes shirts are getting ready to go up for PRE-ORDER, and we’re pretty dang excited about them. *STAY TUNED*

And because apparently making shirts wasn’t enough work, we also decided to take time out of our already incredibly busy schedules to have the most epically stupid photoshoot imaginable.

That’s right. A professional photographer (aka Dusty’s sister) came by to make us look our absolute best.

And we did OUR absolute best to ruin it.

Think awkward poses. Questionable styling. Jewelry-store nonsense. Way too much confidence. And the kind of cheesy photoshoot energy that would make a 1990s JCPenney photographer proud.

So sit back, enjoy a slightly shorter episode, hear what your fellow jewelers had to say, and get ready for some VERY questionable shirt promo photos.

Episode 53 is here. We’re tired. We’re behind. We’re making shirts. And somehow… we’re still doing this.

PRE-ORDER A SHIRT?

Official BJM Logo Tee | Bench Jeweler Memes – Bench Jeweler Media

Follow us on Instagram & YouTube @benchjewelermemes

// Want to support the page & podcast?

https://buymeacoffee.com/benchjewelermemes