Rony Tennenbaum has worked in jewelry manufacturing for more than 25 years after having done just about every stage of jewelry productioncasting, polishing, setting, sourcing and more.
About six years ago, he started a jewelry line, focused on same-sex couples' engagement, wedding and anniversary rings.
"One element within the industry that hooked me was the wedding portion," Tennenbaum said. "I am a romantic, and love the idea of being a part of a couple's very intimate moment of exchanging wedding vows and commitment, through symbols made of gold or platinum. I felt I could be a part of a couple's ceremony without intruding on their personal moment."
Tennenbaum starts most days at 6 a.m., and no two days are alike, he said.
He answers emails, then sets out on errands to collect castings, diamonds, drop offs, pickups and anything else for rings that may be on order. Then he often creates ads for Facebook and magazines, answers customer inquiries, write columns and articles, and more. "There is always an interview or a training session that needs to be done, or prepared for," he said. "And among all these routines, I am always creating new collections and campaigns for upcoming seasons."
Tennenbaum said building a new collection, and bringing it from sketch to life, "is always thrilling to me," he said. Tennenbaum also cherishes the love stories he often hears. "Their rings always play such an important role, and listening to their needs and desires, being a part of their journey, excites me," he said.
The worst part of his job is "when rings don't turn out the way I want, or on time," he said.
"One of my favorite stories was a male couple [that] came to my store [after driving] almost two hours because they felt comfortable and at ease discussing their ring selection with me," he said. "After their visit, they each knew what the other liked and wanted, and shortly thereafter, each contacted me in secret to start work on the other's ring. For three weeks I was creating these two beautiful rings, without the other knowing. The first ring was ready and about two days later, he proposed through teary eyes and a speech on one knee while walking along the beach. The second ring was ready a couple of days later, and the other partner surprised the first with a proposal of his own."
Tennenbaum was at their wedding last October.
"Rings to me represent a commitment between two people," he said. "They are a symbol of love, devotion and a commitment to be united in love for one another. I don't think sexual orientation has anything to do with bringing two people in love together."
Tennenbaum said his long-term goal is to be a part of as many same-sex weddings as possiblethrough his rings, his well-wishes, or simply his thoughts.
STATS Rony Tennenbaum
Age
49
Neighborhood
Andersonville
Relationship status
Partnered 20 years
Job title
Jewelry designer at Rony Tennenbaum
Favorite movie
The Women ( 1939 )
Hobbies
Reading, hiking, bird watching and going to the beach
Favorite TV show
Downton Abbey
Favorite pizza toppings
Mushrooms and black olives
Dream vacation destination
Australia
Little-known fact
"I love rainy days."