Marching to the beat of his own drumMany jewelry designers get their start in the fashion industry. Some come from a retail background. Alex Soldier, however, has an especially intriguing first career: computer engineer. And it’s served him better than you might imagine. “Every time I design, I envision the technical aspects as well as the artistic composition,” he explains. “I also invented my own tools with which I apply the special decorative finishes.” The Russian-born, New York City–based designer compares his creations to a Rubik’s Cube, with “each piece dependent on the next to create the whole.” The intricate ­sculptures and ­textured metal jewels also happen to be total ­showstoppers.Soldier’s black diamond lava ringAge: 54Number of years in the biz: 31Number of employees you oversee: 19Family and pets: My wife, partner, soul mate, muse, and extraordinary