Skip to content

'The Alchemist Jeweler': This Philadelphian made his made his own prosthetic thumb out of silver

Link copied to clipboard
Link copied to clipboard

Michael Manthey, 69, of Grays Ferry, has made some unusual objects during his time as a jeweler. That includes his own prosthetic thumb, complete with a manicured nail after he sawed the tip of his natural-born thumb off during a construction accident at a yoga studio 15 years ago.

Michael Manthey works to file a piece of agnate for a work in progress in his home studio in Grays Ferry.
Michael Manthey works to file a piece of agnate for a work in progress in his home studio in Grays Ferry.Read moreANTHONY PEZZOTTI / Staff Photographer
Published