our Story: About Ursa Minor
When two people love what they do, it shows.
It also is serendipitous how they get to do what they both love, together.
Meet Nic and Meaghan, the creators behind Ursa Minor.
Nic Brotherton, JA Certified master Bench Jeweler was born and raised in Alaska, and now resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. The ‘little bear’, Ursa Minor, pays tribute to his home State and where he began the journey of becoming a fine jewelry craftsman. He specializes in advanced diamond setting and hand fabrication with precious metals. He lives, eats and breathes jewelry. This passion is what inspired him to start making the highest quality baby rings for his friends and family - and now, you. Because of this passion, It’s not surprising that Nic is never satisfied by being a ‘good enough’ jeweler. He continually advances his skills by investing in continuing education. Over the last 10+ years Nic has enriched his knowledge with the following immersive courses: ‘Knife and gun engraving’ - Steve Dunn, Instructor (GRS), ‘Platinum Fabrication’ and ‘Advanced Stone Setting’ - Blaine Lewis and Drew hadley, instructors (New Approach School for Jewelers), ‘Stone Setting Pave’ - Alexandre Sidorov, Instructor (Antwerp, Belgium), ‘Stone Setting’ - Ron Finch, Instructor (GRS), ‘Ornamental Hand Engraving’ - Jason Marchiafava, instructor (New Approach School for Jewelers).
Meaghan LaPrath has been assessing the quality of fine gems and diamonds for over two decades. Being a GIA Graduate Gemologist, AJP is at the top of her well-earned credentials. As an appraiser of all things beautiful and rare, she finds joy in the connection those things have to our everyday lives. She lives in Washington State, but secretly, her heart lives in the Diamond District of NYC. If you hadn’t already guessed, Meaghan is highly experienced in both wholesale and retail fine JEWELRY and is a member of The National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. She graduated from Eastern Washington UNIVERSITY - BA INTERDISCIPLINARY Studies (Business ADMINISTRATION and Women and Gender Studies), Summa Cum laude. In a past life, Meaghan was a dancer, teacher and choreographer.
Together, these two have formed a deep personal and professional bond of partnership. When they aren’t working on Ursa Minor, hand creating other awesome jewelry, appraising or repairing antique family jewels, reading about gems, or busy hand engraving - Meaghan and Nic enjoy time at home with their mackerel tabby cat and red Australian cattle dog, traveling as much as possible and enjoying good food and spirits with friends and family.