Discover Benelux | Dutch Design | Made in the Netherlands
The art of goldsmithing TEXT: FRANK VAN LIESHOUT | PHOTOS: GOUDSMEDERIJ & JUWELIER ARNOLD VAN DODEWAARD
From his charming shop in the leafy surroundings of Bloemendaal village, 30 minutes from Amsterdam, goldsmith and jeweller Arnold van Dodewaard has been serving clients with his unique craftsmanship for more than 20 years. Walk down the stairs from the jeweller’s showroom on the ground floor, and you enter a different world, a goldsmith’s workshop as it could have existed tens, even hundreds of years ago. In the room, three goldsmiths are working at their benches. “The art of goldsmithing has not changed much over the centuries,” says owner Arnold van Dodewaard. “This is where we melt down our gold ingots, roll them into the desired thicknesses and craft them into unique pieces of gold jewellery, with precious stones such as pearls, sapphires, rubies and diamonds. It takes about ten years to master all the skills and become a confident, proficient goldsmith who can make a piece like this,” he smiles, showing off a wonderful ring with golden leaves balancing a glittering diamond in the middle. 26 | Issue 47 | November 2017
With more than 40 years of experience under his belt, Arnold decided a few years ago to leave the actual goldsmithing to his colleagues downstairs and, together with visual artist Lieneke van der Velde, concentrate on their designs. “We create an exciting range of new work, but more and more we also have clients who come in with old jewellery that they have inherited. They want to turn these valuables into something new and inspiring that they will actually wear, rather than just keeping them in a safe,” he explains. “We sit down with them, sketch out a range of ideas, and together decide on a final design. It really is the best feeling to turn an old heirloom into a new piece of jewellery. It gives our customers something which they love to wear and which retains its emotional value at the same time. To me, this is what being a goldsmith is all about – creating something unique that will be treasured for a lifetime, and beyond.” Goldsmith & Jeweller’s Arnold van Dodewaard also buys and repairs old jewellery, watches and silver objects.
Customers who have their old gold and jewellery transformed into new jewellery, get twice the spot price for the gold they bring in.
Web: www.goud-smederij.nl