Suzanne Felsen’s 18 Karat White Gold Necklace with Faceted Unique Cut Onyx

Diamonds are not every girl’s best friend. Some of us (erm.. me) prefer more colorful bling like tanzanite, tourmaline, and topaz. If you’re a member of camp B, look no further than Suzanne Felsen’s collection of oversized, juicy gems (don’t get your panties in a ruffle, she’s got diamonds too). I’m especially fond of her selection of rings: perfectly cut stones set in simple white gold bands: a balance between modern colorways and old-school, heirloom mystery.

It comes as no surprise that the designer found herself in a career as a jeweler. Traveling the world as a youngin’, Felsen was exposed to the arts by her in-the-art-biz family. At the age of 16, her mother suggested that she design a jewel with a sapphire birthstone she had received as a baby. And thus it all began: silversmith classes and a goldsmith apprenticeship followed by courses at the Gemological Institute of America and then off to NYC for a stint at Parsons School of Design. All of this resulted in the opening of her first boutique in 1998, in Santa Monica’s beautiful Bergamot Station followed by her Melrose Avenue location in 2005. If you’re an East-coaster, you can always take a look at her wares on the website, or visit Bergdorf or Barneys to check out selected pieces available there.

Suzanne Felsen’s 18 karat white gold ring with emerald cut amethyst and checkerboard black spinel

Checkerboard faceted black spinel and emerald cut tanzanite white gold ring
Emerald cut pink tourmaline and checkerboard cut black spinel white gold ring
Buff top morganite and faceted peridot white gold ring
Round faceted aquamarine and faceted rubies white gold ring

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