about us
Our Mission and Values
DJ Rinner Goldsmith/Lefthand Gem features fine-quality natural gemstones set in gold, silver, and platinum. He focuses on using ethically sourced gems and recycled precious metals. Since 1974, he has provided jewelry for galleries and shops, as well as to a wide clientele of individual purchasers.
In addition, he offers a huge selection of loose stones for designers and collectors, including cabochons, faceted stones, and gemstone- and pearl-bead strands.
About the Jeweler
Don Rinner has been fascinated by the natural world, especially geology and rock collecting, practically since birth. He spent his youth in nature and was outdoors exploring every hour possible, often collecting rocks, fossils, and bones. Don’s passion for rocks was readily apparent at a young age: his third grade teacher gifted him her lifetime rock collection.
As a freshman in high school, Don began taking art classes from Carlton Bump, an art teacher in a small town in Iowa. Unusual for that time, Mr. Bump had a lapidary setup as well as jewelry-making tools at his students’ disposal. While studying with Mr. Bump, Don cut his first stone, a moss agate he had found, and set it in a ring he made. A new career was born!
At Iowa State University, Don majored in anthropology. He studied under Dr. David Gradwohl, head professor and mentor, who was both an archaeologist and geologist. Together they spent many trips locating and describing Native American sites in the Upper Midwest. Needless to say, they spotted many interesting geological finds as well. While in college, Don worked as a welder and machinist, and made jewelry and cut stones as well.
In 1974, Don became a full-time silver/goldsmith and lapidary, exhibiting in 25 juried art fairs per year and being represented in various galleries. In 1984, he founded the Iowa Artisans Gallery—a cooperative gallery and store in Iowa City, Iowa—with 11 other craftsmen/artists. In 1990, the Iowa Artisans Gallery moved to a larger space, and Don took one-third of it as a separate entity within the gallery, becoming DJ Rinner Goldsmith. In 2003, the gallery further expanded, to a 3,000 square-foot space at its current location, 207 E. Washington St. in Iowa City, continuing the shared arrangement. Don closed his part of the endeavor in 2013 but still exhibits at the Iowa Artisans Gallery, which is now owned by Don’s previous manager, Bethany Young. The business continues to thrive; see www.iowa-artisans-gallery.com.
In 2015, Don and his wife, Joan, relocated full-time to Longmont, Colorado. He continues to be represented in a few select galleries. He also exhibits at the GJX wholesale show in Tucson, Arizona each January, as well as at a couple other rock and gem shows.
Don continues to create custom pieces, including some on commission and others for inventory. He enjoys cutting cabochons from his extensive lifelong collection of rough stone, many from now extinct localities. Favorites include agates, jaspers, lapis, sugilite, and turquoise. Other favorites are “phenomenal” stones, which are stones showing optical effects, such as stars, cats-eyes, moonstones, opals, fire agates, and jade.
Don also has an extensive collection of faceted stones in many varieties, including in every color of the rainbow. Favorites include sapphires, rubies, and tourmalines. He offers both loose stones as well as stones set in gold, silver, and platinum.
“Working with Don you know you'll get ethically sourced, top-quality gems and jewlery along with friendly and knowledgable service.”
Adam C.
QUESTIONS?
We aim to work with galleries and retailers seeking volume gemstones or finished gemstone jewelry. Contact us with questions or to arrange a virtual or in-person showing.