IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Summer 2016 | Page 19

“I enjoy helping my clients think outside the box and come
up with designs that challenge the norm and replace the
everyday with something unusual,” says Nicklaus.
bands that are more elaborate and personal
than those found in a retail jewelry shop.
Nicklaus creates many of these designs using
Computer Aided Design (CAD) technology
to make everything machine perfect. Others
he makes by carving wax or assembling metal
parts. “It really depends on what my clients
are looking for,” says Nicklaus.
The artist personally discusses design plans
with his clients, designs the piece and then
physically creates the item. “I enjoy helping
my clients think outside the box and come
up with designs that challenge the norm, and
replace the everyday with something unusual,”
says Nicklaus. Because he doesn’t have to
outsource any of the custom work, he’s able to
offer better prices for a higher quality product.
In addition, everything Nicklaus makes has
a lifetime warranty, therefore durability
matters to the artist both in the design and
construction.
As far as inspiration, Nicklaus finds it
anywhere he can get it! “I usually challenge
my clients to spend some time on the
Internet, with or without me, looking at other
designs that are ‘out there’ and different,”
he says. “I ask them to send me pictures of
things they like and don’t like, so I can get a
sense of their personal taste. I then discuss
the manufacturing methods available, budget,
stone quality requirements, timeline and

anything else that’s important to my client
before a design is finalized.”
Nicklaus attains his materials from
numerous places. While working in the Clark
Building as a teenager, he was able to establish
many local contacts, from diamond vendors
to casting houses to lapidary suppliers.
These contacts have been invaluable, though
he always welcomes and looks for new
connections.
Additionally, working at the pawn shop
in Greensburg definitely helps to “beef up”
his inventory of exotic gemstones, diamonds
and precious metals. “I’ve recently been
creating new pieces from older pieces—some
recycling or ‘up-cycling,’” laughs Nicklaus. “At
the pawn shop, I have an endless supply of raw
materials and finished pieces coming through
every day that I can work with.”
Similar to the uniqueness in design, the
time it takes Nicklaus to create a piece of
jewelry is also unique. “My wife’s ring has over
125 tiny diamonds in it,” says the jeweler. “It
took me about 15 hours to create.”
Even still, that’s not all that’s special about
Nicklaus’ jewelry. “I think it’s the experience
with me that’s unique,” he says. “Everything
about this process is personal, and you don’t
come across that often.”
Nicklaus has clients all over the Pittsburgh
area and across the country. With today’s
technology, including smartphones, it’s

possible for the artist to do designs and
projects without ever meeting the client
in person. “It usually comes down to a few
phone conversations, lots of pictures and
sketches being sent back and forth and lots of
text messages and emails,” he says.
Nicklaus’ future plans include focusing
on acquiring more clients while continuing
to serve his current clients. The artist relies
heavily on word-of-mouth referrals. For more
information, visit briansjewels.com or search
on Facebook for Brian Nicklaus Jewelry. n

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