Charlottesville Virginia Fine Hand Engraver

Located in Free Union Virginia, George serves many prominant families in the Charlottesville Virginia area.  He is also one of the only actual fine hand engravers in Charlottesville.

Summer Contact: At The Renaissance Gallery (June through September) Open Thursday - Sunday From 10am to 5pm Phone: (920)854-ARTS (2787) Cell: (434)962-8628 Physical Address 12180 HWY 42 Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210 Mailing: 12160 HWY 42 Ellison Bay, Wisconsin 54210

Winter Contact (October through May) By Appointment Only Phone/Fax: (434)978-4575 Cell: (434)962-8628 Mailing Address: PO BOX 178 Free Union, VA 22940 Not Local? Don't worry if you can't make it to George in person.  He is very experienced in working with non-local customers through phone conversations and email.  All items are shipped with care and insurance.

Custom Gold Necklace

LABOR ET LABORE
(with love and labor)

Forged out of 22K yellow and 18K royal yellow gold, this pearl, ruby and diamond necklace is a portrait of mans impact on our Great Lakes.  A mother fish nestled beneath water starwort patiently waits for the hatching of her fry while gentle bubbles of oxygen rise about and cling to her tidal sanctuary.  Their future however, is imperiled by the nutrient consuming Zebra Mussel, clinging to this sectional free floating plant.  Introduced by ballast water into the Great Lakes, its presence will challenge their survival and ultimately Lake Michigan’s food chain.

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Heraldic & Signet Rings

Each and every detail is hand engraved to perfection.  Show quality custom gold jewelry design is where George's talent's really shine.  Hand made rings can be cast in white gold, yellow gold, and silver.   A hand engraved coat-of-arms or hand engraved family crest ring is the perfect unique jewelry gift that will be treasured for a lifetime. You can rest assured that your gift is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece individually designed to fit the character and style you desire.  Adding a custom inscription can help remind the wearer of your special bond.

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*George Bentley - Master Hand Engraver

George M. Bentley, born in 1957 and raised in Greenwich, Ct. and Ephraim, Wi. He is the son of Constance Bentley of New York City, N.Y. and Door County, and the late Lester W. Bentley, portrait painter of Manitowoc and Two Rivers,Wi.

George attended the University of Ct., Wester Washington University and the Rhode Island School of Design. He graduated from the Rhode Island School of Designs School of Architecture in 1983 with a Bachelors of Industrial Design and a Bachelors of Fine Arts.

After school he apprenticed with Jose Grant of Stamford, Ct.  He worked as a bench jeweler there for three years.  In 1985 he studied under Tilden Swenson of Little Rock, Arkansas and learned the fine art of hand engraving.

George married in 1984 and he and his wife settled in Free Union, Va. in 1986.  It is here that George started his jewelry and fine hand engraving business working from his custom home studio in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

George’s reputation spread through the Charlottesville, Virginia community where he creates custom jewelry and engraves trophies, family crest rings, silver services and personalized one of a kind commemorative pieces.  He is known for his meticulous work and is one of a very few fine hand engravers in the country.

In 1983 George was awarded a gold medal by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors at their 50th anniversary national crafts competition for engraving a 16 inch brass clock dial for a clockmaker Paul Fisk of Virginia (See Picture Right).

In October of 2001, George and Phebe purchased the former Starry Night Gallery / Tria Gallery in Ellison Bay, Wisconsin.  It is now operated under the name Renaissance Gallery and Studios.  George is in the process of restoring a 1880’s log barn complex.  George works on the gallery floor as a commissioned goldsmith and fine hand engraver from August through October.

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