by Bailey White
Staff Writer
Jim Dumas’ golf club pin looks just like a miniature version of the real thing, except for the pave diamond grip and 18-karat gold shaft. Dumas, who has worked in the jewelry industry for the past 30 years, recently launched Dumas Golf, an entire line of golf-inspired fine jewelry.
“I create top quality golf jewelry that isn’t like anything else on the market,” said Dumas, who broke into the jewelry business as an apprentice at Underwood’s Jewelers.
It all started about three years ago when Dumas created a golf club-shaped pendant, and then made the same design into a tie bar.
“I got such a positive reaction for my first pieces that I decided to make more golf-related pieces,” he said. “The line has grown tremendously.”
There are 135 pieces in the line now, and Dumas has launched a website, www.dumasgolf.com, where he will sell his creations.
Besides pendants and tie bars, there are rings, bracelets, cuff links, earrings, slides and anklets, all with a golf theme.
A sterling silver golf tee has been fashioned into a ring, and a pair of enamel putting greens have been made into earrings and cuff links. He even has mini golf bags that can be used as jewelry boxes.
Dumas uses a combination of materials in his designs.
“Besides yellow gold and sterling silver, I use pink and green gold,” he said.
Many of the designs also feature diamonds, or precious stones such as emeralds.
“Each piece can be customized,” said Dumas. “A client can choose the stone or color of the gold that he or she wants.
“And each piece is created by hand. It’s labor intensive work because this is not mass manufactured. It’s my goal to create a first class product.”
Dumas has big plans for company, which recently relocated to a space on University Boulevard with a studio in the back and a display case up front.
“I’ve got another 100 designs in my head right now,” he said. “I believe this will take off because this is something that hasn’t been available before now. I’ve looked at my competition and I truly believe I’ve got the best out there. It’s classier and more detailed than anything else I’ve seen. Why not strive to be the best in the market?”
With so much time spent on creating jewelry, Dumas makes it out to the real greens less frequently than he’d like.
“I do like golf,” he said. “I just wish I had time more time to play it.”