Matt James started Gem Studio in a college bedroom in 2017 initially as a simple fundraiser. The goal was to support a primary school of at risk orphans he co-founded with local leaders in Uganda in 2015. As Matt invited friends to come learn to silversmith and make rings with him to help support, it quickly turned into something way bigger than anyone expected. In his college town of Provo, Utah thousands of people reached out wanting to take part in the Gem Studio experience. Within just a few months, what was meant to be a short-term fundraiser became a full-time calling. Matt dropped out of college, renovated a shed in his best friend’s backyard, and began teaching silversmithing workshops non-stop. Matt met his future wife, Lauren one evening as she attended a workshop with a few friends. She believed in Gem as much as Matt, and together they went all in to share Gem with as many people as possible.

Since then, Matt and Lauren have worked side by side to grow Gem Studio from that tiny shed in a roommate’s backyard into a fast-growing jewelry experience brand with locations across the country and in with international expansion in Canada.

Gem Studio exists to bring people together, learn something new, create something truly meaningful with your own two hands, and to make moments that feel special and memorable. The school in Uganda is still a huge part of the story and we continue to donate meaningful portion of revenue to our non-profit 1 Heart 1 Mind. Together, we support local leaders to provide education and housing for over 250 at-risk children on our 5 acre campus in the mountains of Mbale.

Today, Gem Studio’s mission is to create the most fun, high-energy, hands-on jewelry experiences in the world. Whether you’re torching silver, welding permanent jewelry, or building a charm necklace, our goal is to make it unforgettable, and make sure you leave with a new friend, and something you are really proud of. With big plans ahead and a whole lot of heart behind everything we do, we’re building something we’re incredibly proud of and we would love for you to be a part of it!