Skip To Content
REGISTER
May 22, 2024

Brand Spotlight: Claudia Mae

I
t was her determination to find a perfect gold ring to add to her growing stack that drove the then recent college graduate, Claudia Mae, to the jewelry bench. Working her first corporate job after graduating from NYU, focused on sales for a fragrance company, she would window shop Madison Avenue’s high end boutiques during her lunch break, marveling at the designs, but never finding the ring she had in her mind’s eye.

It was her determination to find a perfect gold ring to add to her growing stack that drove the then recent college graduate, Claudia Mae, to the jewelry bench.

Image courtesy of Claudia Mae

Craving more creativity than sitting behind a computer screen at her day job allowed, she decided to attempt to make this elusive ring herself. Through research and word of mouth, Claudia got a coveted spot taking classes with former Tiffany & Co master jeweler, David Benlolo. Given skilled direction, guidance and, most importantly, the freedom to play and experiment, after six months of dedication, the now signature Nomad ring was complete.

Image courtesy of Claudia Mae

Her experience on the jewelry bench not only resulted in the ring she’d been wanting for so long, it also sparked in Claudia an unrelenting passion for the art form. She went on to study at Gemological Institute of America and continued to hone her skills on the bench, all as a “side hustle” that she funded with the money she earned at the fragrance house. With a growing social media following, significant custom orders and complimentary feedback from friends and strangers alike, in November of 2021 Claudia quit her corporate job, took a leap of faith and launched her eponymous collection.

Image courtesy of Claudia Mae

The quest for perfection that prompted Claudia’s journey to jewelry design remains a core tenet of the brand. As she expands and scales her business, Claudia’s growing team of jewelers safeguard the designer’s original vision through their manufacturing techniques and the impeccable attention to detail that ensures that casted pieces exactly replicate their original studio model.

Image courtesy of Claudia Mae

Whether hand carved out of wax, as in her prolific collection of Nomad rings, or the horse, butterfly and letter designs that the designer cut and filed with a jeweler’s saw, collectors of the brand’s work can feel confident that their piece is an authentic expression of the thoughtful intention Claudia imbues into the creation of her work.

Image courtesy of Claudia Mae

Claudia makes jewelry to last a lifetime, and by her estimation, a hallmark of the success of the brand is creating pieces that will become future heirlooms. She is mindful of the enduring quality of fine jewelry in both the design and fabrication of her work, and she recognizes how meaningful fine jewelry can be, either when purchased for oneself or given as a gift by a loved one.

Image courtesy of Claudia Mae

Her gemstones are all burnished set, a technique that first gained popularity during the Victorian era where the gemstones sit flush with the metal, protecting the stone and enhancing the beauty of both the gemstones and the 18k gold metal she utilizes in her designs. Inspired by modern art in the playful combinations of colors she incorporates into her jewelry, she is also influenced by antique jewelry, which has stood the test of time as a form of self-expression and as symbols of sentiments.

  • Image courtesy of Claudia Mae

  • Image courtesy of Claudia Mae

  • Image courtesy of Claudia Mae

  • Image courtesy of Claudia Mae

  • Image courtesy of Claudia Mae

  • Image courtesy of Claudia Mae

We don't support Internet Explorer

Please use Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge to view this site.