A Brief Biographical Story of Fred & Kate Pearce 

Fred & Kate Pearce have been a design team since their student days at Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts in the mid 1960’s.  Fred, a native of Annisquam, Massachusetts studied with several of the notable artists of Cape Ann.  From his watercolor studies with Mildred Jones and Sculpture lessons with George Demetrious to an apprenticeship with Alfred Duca at MIT, Fred has devoted his energies to the world of creating form and space with metal.  Kate was intrigued by the world of Art while growing up on Long Island, New York. Many of her friends and neighbors were involved in the innovative art scene in NYC. Her studies were soon focused on metalsmithing and jewelry when she discovered that the world of designing with precious metals and stones could be a college major!  An accomplished Gemologist (GG, GIA) and Appraiser (RMV#12003- www.mastervaluer.com ) Kate’s passion evolves from the dynamics of designing with gemstones and the jewelry tapestries that can evolve from the combination of colors and textures of gemstones and metals.

Both received BFA degrees from Syracuse University in 1967.  After teaching art in Public and Private schools they moved to Deer Isle, Maine in 1969. They developed a saleable line of hand forged jewelry which was eagerly purchased by the emerging legions of American Craft stores around the USA.  They enriched their marriage with a wholesome lifestyle of farming, fishing and raising livestock on their coastal farm.  In 1978 they moved with their two sons to the Upper Valley of N. H. The children, both grown now, are both actively involved in the jewelry world. Fritz has his own studio: Fritz & Mischell - www.3arts-studio.com in Sonoma, CA; and Noah is a Tahitian and South Seas Pearl buyer for Mikimoto Pearl - www.mikimotoamerica.com  in New York City.

Throughout the past forty five years, Fred and Kate have developed an ever-changing and uniquely stylistic approach to their jewelry work.  The Pearce’s creations have been exhibited widely, most notably the Museum of Decorative Arts in NYC, The Everson Museum of Art in Syracuse, NY, Cartier’s and Georg Jensen Stores in NYC, Bellagio in NC, Clarksville Pottery in Austin, TX and numerous additional fine art galleries around the USA. They were awarded Designers of the Year in 1990 by the Jewelers’ of America, and Jewelers of the Year 2001 by the NH Jewelers’ Association.  They have been extensively published. Most recently Author Renee Newman incorporated numerous photographs of the Pearce’s jewelry creations in her books: Gemstone Buying Guide, The Pearl Buying Guide, and  The Jewelry Handbook, all published by International Jewelry Publications: www.reneenewman.com. 

Fred and Kate are active in their local Jewelers of America affiliate, The New England Jeweler’s Association. They were awarded the grand prize of “NH by Design” in 2001 for their Ammolite, Peridot and Citrine piece depicting Tuckerman’s Ravine in Autumn.  This brooch went on to receive an honorable mention in the Signity Gemstones National competition in NYC. They have been honored by the NEJA for their work  each year a competition is held. most recently in the  fall of 2007, for as piece incorporating a Druse Onyx carved by Dieter Lorenz of Ober Edelstein, Germany.

Recently Fred & Kate’s designs were selected for competition in the Colored Stone Magazine’s Reader’s choice competition- www.AGTA.org

As a result of their innovated use of unusual gemstones, Kate Pearce developed a Power Point presentation explaining the origins of theses gems and the lapidaries who bring their beauty to reality.   Titled “B Chart Beauties” it is a combination of Kate’s Master Valuer thesis and their passion for sculpture and color.  It has been presented at the Manhattan GIA Alumni Chapter www.manhattangiaalumni.org and at the 2007 American Gemstone Trade Association Gem Fest in Tucson Arizona - www.AGTA.org.

In addition to producing a limited Edition line of fine jewelry for wholesale, the Pearce’s own and operate a fine jewelry store and Gallery in West Lebanon, NH.  It is the bricks and mortar - or in this case stucco and steel- complement to this web site and is a full service jewelry store. They will custom design a piece with materials supplied by their clients, appraise and repair your jewelry or provide you with an incredible selection of jewelry and gemstones from around the world. Someone once said that their motto should be, “We can do the impossible but miracles may take a little more time.”  Their current collection of one of a kind originals, Pearce Production Designs plus an extensive selection of the work of other designers are on display at Pearce Jewelers. It is also available at many tastefully selected North American Galleries and shops.