From Michelle’s perspective, jewelry is much more than beautiful accessories. With every piece she designs, she envisions a future heirloom, a symbol of the owner’s legacy.

The Los Angeles-based designer, a former diamond grader, has been making luxury pieces by hand for over 12 years. From Edwardian-style rings to vintage earrings and exotic necklaces, her breathtaking designs and high-quality craftsmanship have attracted the attention of celebrities like Kate Winslet and Vanessa Minnillo.

“I always was fascinated by jewelry,” says Michelle, who began studying art at 18 years old. “I didn’t want to wear it back then. I would just stare at it.”

Ultimately, she mastered the centuries-old art of wax carving at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in 2002, and has developed a strong niche in unconventional engagement rings.

Michelle’s artistry and technical skills go beyond making jewelry. In the past, she was commissioned to paint murals in private residences and sculpt wax statues cast in bronze and sold at California theme parks. More recently, Michelle held a three-year stint modifying the design of a medical device. She holds three patents related to that device, an implantable drug pump for the eye.

These days, Michelle focuses solely on making exquisite pieces of jewelry. Like her clients, each piece is irreplaceable and inspired by the divine.

article by Millie Lapadario