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fter an illustrious, 18-year career as a member of the National and Olympic U.S. Luge Team, Erica Molinari retired from Luge with no idea of what her next step in life would be. She had competed in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games in Calgary, Canada and the 1992 Games in Albertville, France, and after taking a class in 22k gold granulation, her interest was piqued and she devoted herself with an almost competitive zeal to learning everything she could about jewelry design and fabrication. She took multiple classes at New York’s famed 92nd Street Y and then apprenticed for 6 years under a seasoned bench jewelry in order to obtain hands-on experience in the artform before ultimately launching her eponymous collection in 2005.
Erica’s pieces allow collectors of her work to tell their unique stories of individuality.

Erica’s “unorthodox” discovery of jewelry design has allowed her collection to flourish in expansive ways. Unhindered by formal training, Erica’s genuine affinity for jewelry and its history fuels her creative expression, driving her towards a blend of influences from gothic to medieval to Victorian. A self-proclaimed “mix master” of past details and shapes, her contemporary take on historical perspectives safeguards the inherent symbolism in her designs, while showcasing an edgier twist on classic motifs for pieces that are both feminine and gutsy.

Erica’s pieces allow collectors of her work to tell their unique stories of individuality. Her charms reflect positive values such as strength, courage, patience, determination and love, which she hopes encourages wearers to honor and cherish their most sentimental memories and feel a sense of connectedness and empowerment through their choice of adornment. With messages and motifs visible on both sides of the charms, which are created in a variety of shapes and sizes, and decorative charm holders that make swapping out charms seamless, Erica’s charm collection can be edited to suit one’s mood on any given day or in any given moment. Piled on and layered or worn as a solitary statement, her pieces provide a level of flexibility to expressing the narrative of one’s life.

Erica’s distinctive pieces are crafted in 18k gold, sterling silver, oxidized silver and vitreous enamel, often accented with colored gemstones or diamonds. All of her pieces, from inception to completion, are made in Erica’s New York City-studio. Continually drawn towards enhancing her knowledge and expertise, Erica’s quest for further understanding of fabrication techniques is ongoing, and her passion for all forms of art is an unending source of inspiration.