Sad news. Steven Kretchmer has died

Those newsgroup readers in close contact with the commercial jewelry world may
well have already heard this. Today, at work, my boss had received several
emails already, and a number of clients coming in, also had heard this through
the grapevine. So this is not likely the first everyone has heard of this. And
my own info is very second hand, through that grapevine, not direct. But for
those not so closely connected with the grapevine,

But it seems our industry has lost an innovative and creative jewelry designer
this last week end.

Steven Kretchmer, I'm told, died this weekend in a motorcycle accident. I'm
told some auto apparently stopped and attempted a U turn on a blind curve in
the road, and Mr. Kretchmer, on his bike, was unable to see this in time to
avoid a fatal accident.

Mr. kretchmer's innovative work over the years is best known for his line of
tension set rings, processes and alloys for which he held several U.S. patents.
He's the developer of several unique heat treatable platinum alloys, which
allowed his tension set platinum rings to enjoy previously unprecedented
hardness and durability, as well as the somewhat simpler, similarly heat
treatable/hardenable platinum alloys sold by Hoover and Strong as their platinum
SK alloys. These alloys, by the way, also provided the inspiration/starting
point from which PM West (not connected with Kretchmer) developed the currently
available line of plumb platinum solders which some of us have come to love.
Kretchmer's more recent innovations include magnetic platinum (Polarium (tm))
alloys allowing him to design rings that literally cling to each other without
solder or other mechanical bonding, and his earlier work included some of the
first examples of high quality mokume that was to be found in the commercial
jewelry world, including work with various custom colored alloys, and some of
the first commercially available work with purple gold. Overall, his work has
been known for it's innovative metallurgy and technology, high levels of
aesthetic and artistic quality, and impeccable craftsmanship.

Though I never had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Kretchmer in person, I've known
and admired his work for some time, and known many people who have personally
known him or worked with him, even including, at one point, when I was doing
some of the trade work for an Ann Arbor jewelry store for whom he had worked
while a graduate student at the University of Michigan (it's a small world
sometimes).

His contributions to our field have been significant and ongoing, an
inspiration to many, and a daunting challenge to his competitors. He will be
missed by many.

I offer my sincere condolences to his family and friends

Peter Rowe
Seattle

Steven Kretchmer dies in motorcycle accident
JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone
-- 7/10/2006 4:16:00 AM


Jewelry designer Steven Kretchmer of Palenville, N.Y., was killed in a
motorcycle accident July 8. Kretchmer was widely known for his work as a
metallurgist as well as a jewelry designer.

Woodstock, N.Y., police said Kretchmer, 52, was coming around a curve on New
York State Route 212 Saturday at 1:40 p.m. when his motorcycle struck a car that
was turning around in the road, the Daily Freeman in Kingston, N.Y., reports.
Kretchmer was transported by ambulance to Benedictine Hospital in Kingston where
he was pronounced dead.

Police cited the driver of the car, James Houston, 85, of Beacon, for failure to
yield the right-of-way, the publication reports. Neither Houston nor his
passenger, whom police identified only as his wife, was injured.

Police reportedly said Kretchmer was wearing proper safety equipment at the time
of the accident.

Kretchmer's signature platinum designs often featured tension-set diamonds and
gems, inlaid gold, and, most recently, a secret formula of magnetic platinum
that appeared to float. His metallurgical work also produced other discoveries,
including purple and blue gold.

He is survived by his wife, Alma, and daughter, Claudia, both of whom are
involved in Kretchmer's jewelry design business.

Details will be published as they become available.

Peter W.. Rowe, wrote:
Steven Kretchmer dies in motorcycle accident
JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone
-- 7/10/2006 4:16:00 AM


A giant has passed on, ... much too young.

He did love his Ducati motor cycles.

--
Abrasha
http://www.abrasha.com

R.I.P to a fellow jeweller and motorcyclist.

--
Dale Porter
Owner of Honda models CBR954 + VTR1000 + VT250F-J


"Abrasha" wrote in message
...
Peter W.. Rowe, wrote:
Steven Kretchmer dies in motorcycle accident
JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone
-- 7/10/2006 4:16:00 AM


A giant has passed on, ... much too young.

He did love his Ducati motor cycles.

--
Abrasha
http://www.abrasha.com