Nelson Gotay has been designing custom jewelry for over fifty years. He began his career in New York City under the apprenticeship of talented craftsmen from Europe, South America, and the United States. He studied jewelry design at the Mechanics Institute, the Fashion Institute of Technology, and the Gemological Institute of America where he also taught  design fabrication arts. He is a graduate gemologist and certified gemological appraiser

 Prior to relocating to Arkansas to marry his own Southern belle, Stephanie, ​​​​​Nelson owned a successful custom jewelry manufacturing business in New York City. Southern living was quite a change for this native New Yorker. However, during the past 20 years, Arkansas has provided Nelson with many blessings, and Jonesboro has become the place he now fondly calls "home."  Nelson discovered a more personal and fulfilling means of pursuing his passion for jewelry and design when he opened a business that allows him to have one-on-one interactions with his customers in the jewelry design process. He visits with his customers and learns their passions, interests, and desires for the particular jewelry piece he is being asked to create. The outcome is uniquely individual and rewarding to both the customer and to him

Nelson's shop offers on-site personal custom designing, repairs, and appraisals as well as a diverse repertoire of fabrication techniques that include hand engraving, enameling, casting, wax carving, diamond/stone setting, and forging (hand fabricated pieces).  â€‹ Nelson has been the recipient of a number of design awards, is a member and past president of the Arkansas Jewelers Association, and is a member of the American Gem Society. He is a master in his trade.