Los Angeles–based jewelry designer/gemologist Loretta Castoro sets high-end stone selections into classic gold styles often featuring a dove motif.
Jewelry designer Loretta Castoro
Company principals: Loretta Castoro
Headquarters: Los Angeles
Year firm launched: 2012
Signature style: “Each Love Dove creation is designed with the wings of doves caressing the most exotic gemstones. The dove is a universally recognized symbol, throughout time, for eternal life, love, peace, faith, unity, and new beginnings. The deepest kind of faith and peace is expressed through this gentle symbol and understood by every culture across the globe. Its very image seems to instill a spirit of hope to mankind. The wearer of my jewelry will either celebrate all that the dove represents in their life or attract that which they desire.”
Training, education, and design process: “I have been in the gemstone and jewelry business for over 30 years, designing for over 15 years. I studied jewelry design and rendering in Bangkok, and earned a certificate in comprehensive jewelry manufacturing from Studio Jewelers in New York City, as well as an FGA from the Gemmological Association of Great Britain in London. I also earned a certificate in advanced scientific gemology from the Swiss Gemmological Institute SSEF in Basel, Switzerland, and served for a period as the director of gemstone acquisitions at Tiffany & Co., and as a senior gemologist in the AGTA GTC laboratory.
“Today, I sketch my designs and then have my development team create the models based on my design and direction. I am involved at every point in the development. My pieces are all cast and hand-textured, and my jewelry is produced in Asia and the U.S., Thailand, and China. My chains are all made in Japan and most have a unique clasp, which allows the wearer to size the chain to any size they wish.”
Materials of choice: “I have collections in 18 karat gold and also in sterling silver. As an avid gemologist, I focus on colored gemstones. Having lived in Thailand for several years and traveling the world buying gemstones and developing jewelry, I have developed great experience in gemstone procurement and production.”
Jewelry trade show exhibits: AGTA Tucson GemFair and JCK Las Vegas
Accounts: “In the U.S., my work is sold on Deleuse.com and at Elinoff & Co. in Telluride, Colo. I do not have any overseas accounts yet.”
Starting retail price: “My work starts at $715 in silver and at $985 in gold.”
Retailer buy-in: “None to date, though I ask retailers to have at least a certain number of pieces in the case to tell the story.”
Ring in 18k gold with 5.62 cts. t.w. morganite and 0.32 ct. t.w. diamonds, $1,750
Imperia hinged cuff bracelet in silver with 55.2 ct. lavender quartz and 3.8 cts. t.w. tourmaline, $5,000
Imperia ring in silver with 18.8 ct. lavender quartz and 8.3 cts. t.w. white zircon, $825
Love Doves ring in 18k gold with a 104 ct. cushion-cut kunzite from Afghanistan and 0.6 ct. t.w. diamonds, $52,000
Love Doves ring in 18k gold with a 92 ct. t.w. cushion-cut morganite from Mozambique with 0.6 ct. t.w. diamonds, $28,000
Love Doves necklace with dove and leaf motifs and three strands of 16 mm, 18 mm, and 20 mm morganite beads and an 18k gold clasp, $11,250
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