Cable Bracelets

Ascent Black Titanium, 3 x 3mm.

Bernard took an early interest in flying, earning the coveted Aviation Merit Badge, B.S.A. Flying Lessons at busy Opa-Locka airport were Bernard’s high school graduation gift from his dad.

He went on to join The Gators at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he received a degree in Physics, later doing a post graduate research for the Department of Astronomy. The academic life of an experimental physicist was great fun but the lure of the Caribbean was too hard to resist.

On a visit to Grand Cayman, Bernard signed on as a salvage diver, diesel engineer and magnetometer operator aboard the RV/Beta a treasure salvage vessel owned by John Leeper, a retired Pan Am pilot.  John had built Beta at his San Pedro Boatworks and had partnered with famed treasure hunter Mel Fisher on earlier salvage expeditions.  This connection would prove invaluable some fifteen years later, when Fisher discovered the Mother Lode of the Atocha galleon lost off Key West, Florida.

Several seasons were spent searching the western Caribbean for shipwreck treasure. A number of wrecks were found – cannons, anchors – but no valuable treasure. The diving was it’s own reward!

Upon return to Florida, Bernard set up a lost wax casting operation for his dad’s business but quickly found a ready market for his own designs – mostly nautical – inspired by his recent time at sea. In time, Bernard moved the family business to Gainesville, where he enjoyed a slower paced lifestyle and no traffic jams.

Over the years, Bernard and the “Lone Palm” trademark became known throughout the Caribbean and the U.S. for Fine Nautical and Atocha Treasure Jewelry.

In the late eighties, Bernard met Jim Palozola, son-in-law of Marion Jayne, “Aviatrix Extraordinaire,” who was launching the Tailwinds Catalogue. Many of Bernard’s aviation designs were included in the rapidly growing catalogue reaching a wider general aviation audience. Over the following years Bernard supplied all of the gold jewelry marketed by Tailwinds and co-sponsored Marion’s twin Comanche in womans air-racing.

In recent years, Bernard has produced gold AOPA wings and various other designs which have appeared in the Wright Brothers catalogues.


Specialty designs are especially appealing to Bernard, here seen with Linda and Col. Morgan. His work, duplicating in 14K Gold the "Petty" Girl nose art of Col. Morgan's famed 25 Mission Memphis Belle, is a prime example.

Bernard’s home field is the Flying Ten Airport – ten miles southwest of Gainesville where he flies a 1947 Cessna – 140, Blanick sailplane and hot air balloon.  He will happily consider trading jewelry for stick time in interesting aircraft.