JEWELRY

Ken Fury sculpts otherworldly shapes and organic organisms, like creatures, animals, spirits, and trees. Each piece of jewelry is a character with its own story that often shows growth, transformation, and rebirth. Ken's jewelry-making springs from his mixed-media paintings that integrate elements of his Nuevomexicano and Indigenous Genízaro heritage from southern Colorado and New Mexico. His mixed heritage reflects the cultural foundations of Southwestern jewelry, where Spanish silversmithing techniques and motifs were blended with Indigenous symbolism and turquoise traditions. Grounded in his cultural history, Ken's distinctive style honors the past while presenting a bold, new vision.

Since 2008, Ken has crafted each piece by hand, using traditional metalsmithing techniques such as hand-fabrication, carving, and lost-wax casting. Initially self-taught, Ken later graduated from Studio Jewelers Ltd. in Manhattan, where he refined his skills. He specializes in one-of-a-kind and limited-edition fine art pieces and uses the finest ethically sourced metals, precious stones, fossils, and rare gems, including turquoise mined from his home area in the American Southwest. Ken makes each piece with the utmost attention to detail to ensure its durability, wearability, and originality. 

Ken's jewelry and paintings have been exhibited in galleries and museums and featured in publications. He currently resides in New York City, where he creates all of his artwork and jewelry.

THE PROCESS

My jewelry begins with either hand-fabrication, which involves making the piece entirely from metal and soldering, or through lost-wax casting. Both are ancient techniques, with lost-wax casting dating back over 6,000 years and hand-fabrication developing later. Lost-wax casting originated in civilizations like the Mesopotamians, Indus Valley people, Egyptians, and Chinese, and was developed independently by Indigenous cultures in the Americas. The method involves carving the design out of wax and casting it into the desired metal. I carve all my works by hand, which is less common today, as most jewelry is made using 3D modeling software, printed, and mass-produced. After casting the jewelry, I polish and set the stones myself. Completing a project is a long process, but it is worth it because each piece is a handmade work of art and made to be passed down generations as an heirloom. The video above shows how I created the eagle cuff, giving you a glimpse into the process, the intricacy of the design, and how I bring my visions to life!