Bee Tanut
Studio D Jewelers, Woodstock, IL

Master jeweler, goldsmith and CAD designer Bee Tanut grew up in Thailand, where he learned to be a bench jeweler from his father and uncle as soon as he could pick up their tools. He moved to the U.S. in 2014 when he was 28 and became a U.S. citizen in 2020. As the lead jeweler at Studio D Jewelers in Woodstock, IL, Tanut is a wealth of knowledge, not just about jewelry but also about culture, architecture, and food, a self-taught education acquired as an intrepid world traveler. Says Studio D manager Tracy Gibson, “Our founder was a goldsmith. We have deep roots in that and appreciate Bee’s skill set. He is the most talented jeweler we have ever had.”

IN PURSUIT OF SOCCER. Besides Muay Thai, soccer is the most popular sport in Thailand. As a kid, I played when I had free time. I would play between school and work during jeweler’s school. Now, I play in a pick-up league with guys from all over the world.

BE PATIENT. When I was 10, my uncle had me melt silver and make wire all day long. Because that is the basis for everything. Learn how to use the torch, how to melt, how to be patient, and how to work with a hot flame like you’re cooking in an oven.

MORE PLAY THAN WORK. I’m fascinated with gems and diamonds. When I work, it doesn’t seem like work. I feel like I’m playing like when I was a kid.

SHARING SPECIAL MOMENTS. I am always humbled by how thrilled our clients are with their designs. It feels good to make jewelry that will be a part of their special moments for the rest of their lives.

Q & A with Bee Tanut and Studio D manager Tracy Gibson

Q. What are your hobbies?

A. I like cooking, hiking, soccer.

Q. And you like to travel?

A. Yes, I travel around the world, at least one country at a time, each year. This year we’re going to Mexico, Taiwan and Thailand. I started in Southeast Asia first: Burma, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, and Taiwan, where my wife was born. Netherlands, France, Peru. I can see a lot of different cultures by traveling. And I like to learn about architecture and history. In Machu Picchu, I was amazed by what the Inca Empire built and how they invented the clock and the irrigation system. I like the architecture in Chicago, in France and in Amsterdam.

Q. What do you miss about Thailand?

A. I miss food, friends, and my family in Thailand. And life is so easy in Thailand, too. People are easygoing. They have rules, but people don’t really follow them. One rule is you do not drink in public, but no one cares. And in the traffic, no one follows the rules of the road. And in Thailand, you make fun of people; it’s just normal and fun. Here, you have to be careful because someone might be offended.

Q. What is your favorite type of project to work on?

A. Bee: Custom ring. Big stone, big diamond. It’s more challenging.

A. Tracy: Bee is also our CAD designer. We don’t cast in house but he does all the steps of our custom.

Q. Most unusual custom project?

A. Bee: Red beryl earrings that I made. Red beryl is so rare and so soft like an emerald. It was a challenge.

Q. What do you like about being a jeweler?

A. Bee: I’m fascinated with gems and diamonds. When I work, it doesn’t seem like work. I never get tired of making jewelry. I feel like I’m playing like when I was a kid. I go there and make something and it becomes jewelry.

Q. Do you want your kids to be jewelers?

A. My son is just 2 years old. I wouldn’t force him but if he likes it I will teach him everything. I want him to follow his dream, too. But he reminds me of how I was when I was a kid. I would grab a jewelry tool and play with it. When I build something around the house, he likes to play with all the tools.

A. Tracy: when he’s 10 we’ll have him rolling out wire.

Q. What advice do you have for someone who wants to be a jeweler?

A. Bee: Start at a young age and be patient. You should learn from the ground up. In the U.S. we have laser machines everywhere, but it’s bad for a young jeweler to learn laser right away. They should learn how to solder. When I was 10 I remember that all day long my uncle had me melt the silver and make wire, that’s it. Because that is the basis for everything. Learn how to use the torch, how to melt, how to be patient, how to work with a hot flame like you’re cooking in an oven. If you know the basics you have a good start. But in America everything they’re supposed to make they sell in the store, so they don’t know how to make the wire.

Tracy: That skill set has come in handy for us on a number of occasions, when we ordered something and a Stuller package was late. Bee can make a ring in a day from rolling out the scrap. He’ll ask, “Do you want me to just make it?” “Yes, that would be great!” I’ll say.

Q. How did you develop your interest in soccer and how are you involved in it now?

A. All kids love balls ?! Besides Muay Thai, soccer is the most popular sport in Thailand. As a kid, I played when I had free time. I would play between school and work during jeweler’s school. Now, I play in a pick-up league with guys from all over the world.

Q. What brought you to the U.S., and what you were doing before you came to Studio D?

A. We make a lot of the jewelry sold in the States in Thailand and I wanted to see how the jewelry industry worked in America. I met and married my wife, Lana, who is Taiwanese-American and moved to the Chicagoland area. I have worked in a few shops, but Studio has given me the opportunity to have freedom to make my own designs, flexible schedule, and the ability to prioritize my family. I will have my 5-year anniversary in July 2024.

Q. When did you become a U.S. citizen?

A. August 13, 2020, I became a citizen and I have kept my citizenship in Thailand and Taiwan as well. My boys have multiple citizenship also.

Q. How do custom bridal customers react when they see the ring of their dreams?

A. I am always humbled by how thrilled our clients are with their designs. Sometimes they tag me in their post or write thank you notes. Occasionally I get a small gift. It feels good to make jewelry that will be a part of their special moments for the rest of their lives.