Glenn and Stephan collaborated on all jewelry concepts and fabrications at Lehrer Designs. Unfortunately, Glenn died of cancer last Nov 27th. I learned about his passing just after I’d posted a photo of a gem silica chrysocolla carving he’d carved & photographed. I’d used it in my “Rare Gemstones” book. Glenn was not only a renowned exceptional carver; he was also an outstanding photographer; he contributed many carving photos to my books. You can learn what a loss his passing was to the industry on his Facebook page www.facebook.com/glenn.lehrer. Examples of Glenn’s carvings are on Instagram @glennlehrer.
Stephan Gunning has been making jewelry since high school when he won awards for his jewelry and started his apprenticeship with a German Master Goldsmith at the age of 16. For the next 5 years, he learned traditional European skills and techniques in all aspects of jewelry manufacturing & fabrication. After completing his apprenticeship. Stephan began to work for some of the finest jewelry stores in the San Francisco and Lake Tahoe area as their resident master goldsmith.
Stephan has been integral to the success of Lehrer Designs, Inc. since 2004, and he is now helping Glenn’s family by continuing to sell what is left of the Glenn Lehrer inventory. However, he is moving everything to his new business address: 224 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. San Anselmo CA 94960. He is the new owner of “The Ross Goldsmith.” The old location and the store Lehrer Designs is closed and is almost emptied out because the family did not want to keep it going. The TV jewelry and that brand of the business is being sold. Stephan will continue to make very high-quality jewelry & show Glenn’s high-quality pieces at his new store.
I used this ring photo in my latest book “Diamonds” as an example of the 2020s’ jewelry trend of setting center diamonds diagonally or horizontally in “east-west rings.” See www.reneenewman.com/diamonds.htm for info & reviews of “Diamonds: Their History, Sources, Qualities and Benefits.”
Sonia Esther Soltani, Editor in Chief of “Rapaport” said in the Rapaport review: “It would not be hyperbole to call this book the bible for diamond knowledge.’ In a Facebook post, she described it as “the book I wish I would have had five years ago when I started at Rapaport.”
About the author:
Renée Newman is a gemologist (GG, GIA), lecturer, writer and author of 15 books on gems and jewelry. Her goal is to provide consumers and jewelry professionals with unbiased, affordable information on how to buy, evaluate and appreciate gems and jewelry. She can be reached through her website:
