Los Angeles–based Nancy Newberg of the eponymous jewelry design firm favors a monochromatic color scheme.
Nancy Newberg
Headquarters: Los Angeles
Year firm launched: 2011
Signature style: “Contemporary textured classics featuring motifs of twisted rope, hammered accents, and calligraphy inscriptions. Oxidized finishes create a contrast between yellow and rose gold and white diamonds. My silhouettes range from classic hoops, textured stacking bands, statement rings and earrings to dimensional globes. A black and white/neutral color scheme is consistent throughout the collection, which has an uptown sparkle with a downtown vibe. My pieces are created to be layered and collected, and to reflect the individual style of the women who wear them. They are casual but elegant, and can be worn day into evening.”
Training, education, and design process: “My training is in fashion design, and I’ve been designing jewelry for just two and a half years. I received my BFA from the Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design [now Otis College of Art and Design], and designed clothes until I was ready to start a family. I took some time off, and when I was ready to work again, I started making jewelry for myself for fun, using diamond beads I purchased at gem shows. When women—including a buyer from Barneys in New York City—started asking where they could buy them, my business began.
Now, I sketch designs and work with my factory to have molds made of pieces; I also design and manufacture all of my own chains and clasps, and everything is made in downtown Los Angeles.”
Materials of choice: “I work in 18k and 14k yellow and rose gold and sterling silver, and lots of oxidized metals. I work with white and black diamonds, and grey and white pearls. I like to work in a neutral palate.”
Starting retail price: “I have oxidized silver stacking rings that start at $190, and bracelets in gold with diamonds that start at $1,800.”
Accounts: “I currently have nine accounts in the U.S., including A’MAREE’s in Newport Beach, Calif., and Elyse Walker in Pacific Palisades, Calif.”
Retailer buy-in: “Buyers will start off with a selection of about 15 to 20 of my most popular styles so the line looks well represented in a showcase.”
Jewelry trade show exhibits: None
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