Edward Spencer – Biography
Edward Spencer has been creating fine jewelry since 1972, when he graduated from Boston University with a degree in Comparative Religions. Drawn to artistic expression and craftsmanship, Spencer soon discovered jewelry as the perfect union of art, material, and personal meaning.
In 1974, Spencer moved his business from his living room—where he met privately with clients—and established Skylight Jewelers in downtown Boston. The first shop occupied the top floor of the historic Jewelers Building, where a skylight illuminated the workspace and inspired the company’s name. More than fifty years later, Skylight Jewelers remains in downtown Boston, only a block from its original location, continuing a legacy of independent design and craftsmanship.
Beginnings
Spencer entered the jewelry world first as a gem cutter and gemstone enthusiast before transitioning into jewelry design. His deep understanding of gemstone material—from raw rough stone to finished gem—is evident in his distinctive use of rare and unusual materials. Among his most recognizable works are carvings in Ceylon moonstone, which he shapes by hand and sets in gold and diamonds.
Combining technical mastery with artistic vision, Spencer creates jewelry that harmonizes gems and metals into expressive, balanced designs. His process reflects both precision and intuition, grounded equally in craftsmanship and creativity.
Philosophy and Design
“Education is unceasing,” Spencer says. “In the arts, experimenting and risk-taking are the keys to development.”
Whether inspired by dreams or everyday experience, Spencer believes jewelry is a deeply personal statement about its wearer. He designs three-dimensionally, building each piece from every angle—frontward, backward, inside, and out—while carefully considering how it will function on the body.
“As well as being an expression of my art, my jewelry needs to be comfortable and work for its wearer,” he explains.
Every piece is created with the future owner in mind. Spencer maintains that finely designed jewelry should speak for itself, expressing both artistic vision and the soundness of the maker’s craft.
Today
Over the decades, Spencer has witnessed a growing appreciation for quality jewelry. Modern collectors increasingly seek originality and substance rather than mass-produced pieces. In response, Spencer has deliberately slowed his production process, dedicating greater time, thought, and attention to each creation.
“People want stronger designs,” he notes. “I now put much more time, thought, and detail into every piece I design.”
Rather than designing to price points, Spencer focuses on producing high-quality, wearable art—pieces that clearly reflect careful workmanship and uncompromising standards.
Continuing Vision
A continually evolving artist, Spencer strives to expand the boundaries of jewelry design and technique. He believes tradition should inform creativity without limiting it.
“The way things have been done are not necessarily the way they always need to be done,” he says—a philosophy that guides not only his art, but also his business and personal relationships.
Looking back on more than five decades of work, Spencer expresses a simple aspiration: to leave behind “some artful trinket or two”—objects of beauty and meaning that endure beyond their maker.
Creating a Custom Piece of Jewelry with Us
Spencer and the team at Skylight Jewelers will work with you to create custom designed jewelry that is uniquely yours. The design can start from one of our jewelry styles, from a drawing, a picture, an object – almost anything can be used as inspiration. We will use your family gems, or help you find the perfect diamond or colored gemstones for your custom design.