How Rusty Brown Went From Farrier To Fine Art Jeweler

Rusty Brown of Rusty Brown Jewelry perfected his craft as a farrier for years, and eventually took to another discipline: fine jewelry making for the equestrian.

Rusty grew up in Arizona as the son of a 3rd generation farrier. He spent time as a U.S. Marine, bull rider (he was the Arizona State Bull Riding Champion in 1956), cowboy, and rodeo clown, but don’t think he let his horseshoeing skills suffer. He was inducted into the National Farrier Hall of Fame in 2015.

Rusty is the founder and original designer of Rusty Brown Jewelry, specializing in delicate silver and gold necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings in the shape of tack clearly speak to the hearts of horse lovers worldwide.

rusty brown cowgirl magazine — Rusty Brown.

The origins of Rusty Brown Jewelry are fairly unusual. His friend Gunnar Gatski created a small, brass set of horseshoes and tools, and Rusty took that as a challenge. He set out to forge an even smaller set, with such success that equestrians from all over began to ask him for custom jewelry pieces.

The company currently sells rings, buckles, bracelets, earrings, key chains, knives, money clips, and other fine gifts, all “forged by a farrier and handcrafted for the true equestrian,” à la their tagline.

rusty brown jewelry cowgirl magazine — Western Stirrup Earrings, Sterling Silver, $102; Heart Bar & Nail Ring, Sterling Silver, $108; Nail Cross Necklace, Sterling Silver, $96.

In addition to ready-to-wear jewelry, Rusty works with clients to make custom jewelry that reflect the specific types of shoes that their horses wear, making for meaningful, personal pieces.