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Rodney Allison, well known for jewelry design, has 45 years of experience in the jewelry industry. He has been a “Personal Jeweler” not only in the Lubbock area but also worldwide. He creates custom pieces in gold and silver, and specializes in diamond settings and bridal pieces. Rodney states, “It has been 45 years that I’ve done silversmithing working with turquoise.” He now mixes sterling with gold and uses diamonds and ancient nummis coins with these mediums. The ancient coins range from 50 AD to 400 BC and tell us so much about the past.

Rodney was born in Grants, NM, and grew up in Roswell. At 10 years old, he began tumbling rocks and assembling jewelry. In high school, he took jewelry making classes, learning about wax carving, casting in sterling, stone cutting and polishing, and hand-making sterling jewelry. After graduating, Rodney attended the Gemological Institute of America in CA for gemology and diamondology. Later, he taught himself goldwork. In 1983, Rodney moved to Lubbock to attend Texas Tech University. 

Throughout Rodney’s career, he has worked with numerous directors of Mary Kay Cosmetics, making their award winning jewelry, and licensed by Mary Kay to create their corporate logo jewelry for 16 years. In 2001, he sold his jewelry store and began to do freelancing to focus on designing and making jewelry. 

Rodney says that his roots run deep in Ruidoso. His great-great grandparents traveled by covered wagon to a homestead outside of Ruidoso Downs. His parents were born in the Ruidoso area. He adds, “While I’ve lived in Texas all of my adult life, my heart always leads me back to New Mexico!”

Mediterranean coral is almost extinct, Italian divers are risking their lives to get deep enough to reach the remaining coral and the price is sky rocketing due to its scarcity. Most coral jewelry sold today is made of tropical coral as it grows relatively quickly and is relatively inexpensive.

Mediterranean coral is far more desirable as it grows very slowly, has a more subtle color and a rougher, more irregular texture. It is also many times more expensive than its tropical or Pacific relatives.

Unfortunately, coral reefs are amongst the most endangered ecosystems on the planet, especially in the Mediterranean. They are threatened by rapidly warming ocean waters, harmful bacteria, pollution and destructive fishing methods.

Records dating back thousands of years confirm that coral was used in decorative art objects. It was believed to prevent ill fortune and offer protection from skin disease when worn as a necklace. Dreams about coral are believed to foretell recovery from a long illness. Ancients believed that Mars was composed of red coralRodney Allison, well known for jewelry design, has 45 years of experience in the jewelry industry. He has been a “Personal Jeweler” not only in the Lubbock area, but also worldwide. He creates custom pieces in gold and silver, and specializes in diamonds settings and bridal pieces. Rodney states, “It has been 45 years that I’ve done silversmithing working with turquoise.” He now mixes sterling with gold and uses diamonds and ancient nummis coins with these mediums. The ancient coins range from 50 AD to 400 BC and tell us so much about the past.