Jewelry Designers

David Yurman is a phenomenon in the world of fine jewelry and timepieces. Established in 1980 and based in New York, David Yurman is recognized today as America's leading fine jewelry and luxury timepiece brand for men and women. David Yurman's signature silver and gold designs, diamonds, pearls and gemstones, and Swiss-crafted timepieces are renowned for capturing the essence of relaxed American luxury.

In French, Belle Étoile means beautiful star. That's why a delightful radiance permeates throughout all their creations. Designed to reflect the latest European fashion trends, Belle Étoile's dazzling selection of exquisite jewelry enhances the lifestyle of the modern woman. Working with the finest materials available, including cubic zirconia, quartz, shell pearl, mother of pearl, silver and gorgeous enamels, their designers adhere to the philosophy of contrasting color with graceful curves. Belle Étoile offers a jewel box full of looks, styles, colors, and icons. Are you a rock star, or a fashion maven, or a power executive? Belle Étoile creates what you need to express yourself. Star in your own reality show called life. Shine like the star you are!

Gurhan Orhan is renowned for pioneering the revival of pure 24 karat gold jewelry. Based in New York City and Istanbul, Gurhan draws inspiration from the materials and techniques of his ancestors from ancient Anatolia and Byzantium. Gurhan's jewelry beautifully mixes ancient exoticism with modern sensibilities and fashion. Unlike many jewelry designers, Gurhan is entirely self taught. Not one to be confined behind a workbench, he likes to create at the beach, inspired by the stones and metals he touches and feels. Gurhan is committed to designing and creating jewelry that is comfortable to wear, sensual to touch, and timeless. He says,"I seek to evoke the past in the context of the present. When I create my jewelry, I enter the mind of the ancient goldsmiths, reincarnating the mystery of their techniques and their spirit, and reinterpreting it with the inspiration of today's refined elegance." Gurhan's exceptional designs and remarkable workmanship has made him a favorite of prominent celebrities, like Angelina Jolie, Jennifer Lopez, and Sandra Bullock.

For over 60 years, Honora has stood for value and quality in the jewelry industry. Today, the company specializes in bringing the very best in freshwater pearls to market in the variety of beautiful designs they produce. Honora is the largest importer of fine freshwater pearls in the United States and uses these astounding cultured pearls to create colorful and affordable pearl jewelry using an array of shapes, colors and sizes. Honora has created some of the finest designer jewelry pieces and pearl fashion designs available. The business has been owned and operated by the Schechter family since 1946 and is now overseen by its third generation of active family members, including CEO Joel Schechter and President Ralph Rossini, two of the foremost experts on freshwater pearls in the world.

Ippolita was born and raised in the hills above Florence, Italy and spent her childhood immersed in Renaissance art and architecture, eventually earning her Baccalaureate in sculpture at the renowned Istituto D'Arte. Her commitment to design integrity and craftmanship is evident in everything she creates. Before launching her 18k gold designer jewelry collection in 1999, Ippolita spent several months developing her own signature gold color, a gorgeous glowing hue which flatters every skin tone. The unique sculptural quality of her jewelry comes from the fact that the designer insists that each and every piece be made by hand. Her signature bangles are hand cast from original wax sculptures, and the open-link chains she uses in her earrings and necklaces are formed and soldered by hand as well. "My goal is to create jewelry that you really want to wear all the time, that is easy and that makes you feel good, jewelry that is unintimidating yet cool," says Ippolita. She is strongly influenced by fashion, yet manages to create pieces that stand the test of time.

A few years ago Ivanka Trump transformed her passion for jewelry into a new business, the first to carry her name. She created the Ivanka Trump Fine Jewelry Collection to reflect a new sensibility: an artful combination of the best vintage styles jewelry enthusiasts have come to describe as "heirloom chic." Her collection and boutique were designed for women who appreciate tradition, artistry and quality, value superior workmanship and wear even the most important jewelry with a kind of off-handed elegance. Or for the men who love them for their strength and style. Her collection features some of Ivanka's favorite jewels; pieces that she wears to work, socially, casually or more formally. She hopes women will find the jewelry she creates as irresistible as she does.

n essence, Strongwater created his own niche: the jeweler turning his meticulous eye and art on a world beyond a woman's wrist, neck and ears. "I'm fascinated by the idea of taking our everyday belongings - frames, boxes, clocks - and turning them into a beautiful collage of metal, enamel, and crystals". Strongwater collectors often say the feel the hand of the artisan behind each design. Than almost tangible sense is the result of the 125 highly trained artisans in the designer's New York atelier and his production workshop in Rhode Island, where most pieces are brought to life. Over the years, Jay's vision has grown into a lifestyle collection of furniture."I find that when you hold one of my designs, you begin to appreciate the integrity that goes into each piece. The materials are superlative. The wight of the metal feels authentic. The stones dazzle. The color is lyrical. The craftsmanship is impeccable."

Drawing inspiration from diverse resources such as nature and tribal art, John Hardy has created one of the top international luxury brands of jewelry. Each handcrafted piece is, as Hardy states, "More than just looking good. It's about feeling good and doing good while doing well in business. This is sustainable luxury." After graduating from art school in 1975, Hardy went on a round-the-world trip where he stopped in Bali, fell in love with the inspirational island and natives, and decided to stay. There he studied silversmithing techniques, working alongside native Balinese craftsmen, some of whom were descendants of the artisans who crafted jewelry for the royal courts of Bali. While John Hardy has made a name for himself with his sterling silver jewelry, he has also created stunning pieces in gold with diamonds and gemstones.

Enthralled with Greek history and the rich legacy of Greek gods and goddesses, Konstantino Sioulas developed an endless fascination with the artisanship of the earliest Greek jewelry designs. Says the designer, "This is why our jewelry is different from any other. Our designs are timeless and universal. They come from the core of civilization and the elements of the modern world." Throughout time, artisans have paid homage to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. In his own tribute to this magnificent goddess, Konstantino has devoted a lifetime to creating modern expressions of ancient Greek jewelry. Konstantino jewelry is known throughout the world for its unique designs and remarkable artisanship. All Konstantino adornments are still individually crafted in Athens and are created from sterling silver and 18 karat gold. Collections are inspired by the art, architecture, mythology, and people of Greece as fused through the designer's creative genius.

Leslie Greene was inspired to design her own line to satisfy every woman's desire for fine jewelry that flaunts chic style, luxurious quality and a timeless, classic appeal. Designing jewelry for over 16 years, her talent for combining treasured classics with modern trends has truly brought her to the forefront of the fine jewelry industry. Leslie's philosophy is that jewelry should make a signature statement, meaning much more than just a simple finishing touch. She aspires to create pieces that become a reflection of who a woman is, not what she wears. "I feel connected to the women who wear my jewelry and I am inspired by their individuality. My collections are always evolving, as are my customers," says Leslie. Her collections are the culmination of her creative interests, including fashion, home decor, antiquing and the fine arts. As an avid world traveler, rare antiques, vintage wallpapers and historical architecture lend inspiration to new designs. The daughter of a textile designer, Leslie is also very much influenced by fashion and fabrics of the past and present.

In 1950, realizing a longtime dream, Abdulrahim LeVian emigrated from Persia to the United States, leaving the land where his family had been purveyors of fine jewelry since the 1400's and establishing a new business venture in New York. The company came to specialize in pieces featuring the world's finest gemstones, handset into "invisible settings." Under the guidance of son, Eddie, who joined the company in 1978, Le Vian® has grown and prospered through its entry into uncharted territory in the jewelry world and Eddie's eyebrow-raising marketing techniques, all to bring fine jewelry within reach of jewelry lovers and would-be jewelry lovers nationwide. Today, Le Vian® collectors number more than 500,000, including royalty and billionaires, but, more important to Eddie, jewelry lovers at middle income levels for whom he has opened a treasure trove. Among its awards and honors, the company was chosen to design jewelry for the Mrs. America and Mrs. World pageants, as well as the ruby and diamond tiara for the Fiesta Bowl Queen.

Emotion and precision. Fantasy and technology. Evolution and tradition. Marco Bicego's jewelry is the result of a passionate and continuing challenge to tame these contrasting elements and transform them into items of contemporary seduction. Marco’s pieces cultivate the ambition of the "one-off," unique, unrepeatable objet d'art , but they also have the wearability to be an "everyday" luxury. Bicego has redefined the phrase with sensuous, extraordinarily beautiful jewelry that blends old world Italian craftsmanship with tradition, passion and imagination. His instincts, refined at the workbench, have led him to create unique, multi-textured items that are both beautiful and unexpected. This pure artisanship by Marco and his team of craftsmen in Trissino can be found in the manipulation of gold; transforming this luxurious element into captivating spirals and hand-engraved beads.

The designs from the M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza collection stand as works of art — the result superb craftsmanship using the very finest materials. Every design requires six to eight months to complete from start to finish, and this extensive process ensures exceptional quality that rivals top tier fine jewelry labels. Colorful natural stones sourced from around the world are selected and combined for each design. All rough stones are chosen by certified staff and cut by the finest stonecutters to ensure optimum clarity and beauty. The difference in origin of the stones offers each design surface texture, color gradient and unique identity. Each stone from M.C.L by Matthew Campbell Laurenza is individually set by hand using sterling silver, and the result ensures that no two pieces are alike. The difference in appearance between two pieces of the same style does not indicate production defects but is a reflection of the uniqueness of every item.

Over a century ago, Kokichi Mikimoto succeeded in creating the world's first cultured pearl. His quest for perfection and his love for these pure, lustrous gems of the sea were the guiding forces that built the house of Mikimoto. Today, Mikimoto is the foremost producer of the finest quality cultured pearls and a world leader in the design of exceptional jewelry. The Mikimoto name is synonymous with superior quality at every stage, from the selection of the finest materials to expert workmanship to their customer service commitment. Each beautiful piece reflects supreme dedication, passion and care. For today's connoisseur of fine jewelry, Mikimoto combines timeless elegance with sophisticated, modern design. To own Mikimoto is a unique and luxurious pleasure. To wear Mikimoto is to reflect the purity of the ocean...the mystery of creation...and to know you are adorned with the finest cultured pearls in the world.

The name Montblanc exemplifies both the art of writing and beautiful jewelry at their finest. The prestigious Swiss brand defines style and elegance, with only the finest craftsmen employed to produce exquisite pieces that bear the Montblanc name. The highest degree of skill and care goes into each and every product. The company has been known for generations as a maker of sophisticated, high quality writing instruments and In the past few years, their product range has been expanded to include a diverse range of jewelry for men and women alike. Montblanc is a purveyor of exclusive products which reflect the exacting demands of today's discriminating customers for quality design, tradition, and master craftsmanship.

Pandora is a universe of jewelry. Each Danish-designed piece is handcrafted in sterling silver or 14K gold. The collection is world-famous for its bracelets featuring the twist-on charm design. Many pieces incorporate pearls, semi-precious and precious stones for a personal and intriguing look. Pandora bracelets are easily interchangeable and their modular design allows you to change the beads to dress up the bracelet for an elegant look, or transform it for more casual wear at a moment's notice. Pandora also offers an entire collection of earrings, rings, and coordinating necklaces that coordinate with the most popular bead designs. Pandora threaded design system is so unique that it has been registered with the U.S. Patent Office. Pandora jewelry is available at all Lee Michaels locations except the Mall of Louisiana, Baton Rouge.

Award-winning designer Penny Preville has been enamored with jewelry since she was a little girl. Inspired by her grandmother's collection, Preville fuses Old World techniques and details with modern-day sensibility. Preville's jewelry embodies romance, classicism and femininity. Her natural talent for knowing what women want began by knowing what she wanted and building on it. Honored for her designs and entrepreneurial spirit, Preville retains her original vision with some exciting twists. Says Preville, "I am influenced by fashion and culture, but I also believe in continuity. A designer should remain true to their style," she explains. "I am constantly refining the collection and re-evaluating the customer's needs." Preville adds, "It's fun! But the challenge is to keep pushing one step ahead of what women want. Jewelry is very personal and individual to the wearer, my goal is to keep designing pieces that will make a woman look and feel fabulous."

In 1977, Roberto Coin founded the company that would bear his name in Vicenza, known as "The City of Gold." Initially, the company was intended for production on behalf of some of the most prestigious brands of international fine jewelry. The Roberto Coin brand was ultimately launched in 1996. Success was quick and extraordinary: already by 2000, only four years after the brand's birth, Roberto Coin positioned itself seventh amongst the best-known jewelry brands in the United States. In 1996, Roberto Coin started signing the jewels of his Appassionata Collection by setting a small ruby on the inside of each piece, in a hidden position, allowing direct skin contact with the gem. Since then, this tradition has been perpetuated in all collections, and it has become the signature of every Roberto Coin jewel, dedicated, as a secret gift of good wishes, to every woman lucky enough to enjoy wearing and loving his creations.