1.  WHAT DO YOU DO FOR A LIVING?

I own a fine jewelry showroom and I represent independent fine jewelry designers for both wholesale and PR.

2.  HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY?

I’ve been in it for my entire professional career. My first job was as the fashion editor at National Jeweler, when it was a print publication that came out twice a month. I covered trends and designers all throughout the jewelry industry.

3.  WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO LAUNCH YOUR OWN COMPANY?

I was an editor for 10 years in different capacities. Then, when I worked for Gemfields as the US marketing director, I worked directly with a lot of designer brands on their collections through collaborations. That inspired me and made me realize I liked working with multiple brands at once, helping them establish their voice. In turn, that’s what got me interested in really putting together something that felt collaborative. FFR actually started as a blog that interviewed designers, tastemakers and jewelry insiders.

4.  WHERE ARE YOU BASED?

LA mostly, NYC sometimes.

5.  WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

Maryland.

6.  WHAT’S THE FIRST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH?

My grandmother has a flexible gold and diamond band that is really wide, and I I’ve always been so intrigued with it because of its uniqueness and ingenuity. The band is webbed gold, with little points of diamonds on each of the edges.

7.  WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT JEWELRY?

I love that it is something that is shared during important moments in one’s life - its sentimentality. Jewelry really acts as personal armor making you feel safe and protected. There is something so powerful and beautiful about that feeling you get when you are wearing your favorite pieces of jewelry. I love how easily jewelry can be passed down and how the sentiment can also be passed down. I love sharing happy moments of people’s lives with them.

8.  DESCRIBE YOUR JEWELRY STYLE

Maximalist for sure. I certainly love bold gold jewelry, but for me it’s all about the mix. I love pairing unusual textures, colors and patterns not only in jewelry but also in clothes and in my interior design. Also, it’s always a combination of vintage and contemporary, that’s what keeps it interesting.

9.  WHERE DO YOU GET MOST OF JEWELRY FROM?

I self-purchase a lot – I am particular about what I like. I buy a lot of jewelry from my clients and usually, if there is something I really want, I try to wait for three months before getting it. If after three months I still want it, I then place an order. For example, when Kirsty (Retrouvai) came out with her Impetus collection, I waited a full year before purchasing. Watches are another passion of mine and over the years, I’ve built up to the watches I truly wanted by buying and selling different styles. I make smart investment purchases and work up to my dream pieces.

10.  WHO IS YOUR JEWELRY ICON/ROLE MODEL?

Elsa Peretti for her vision, Iris Apfel for her maximalism and Elizabeth Taylor for her collection.  

11.  DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE STONE?

Emeralds. There is so much lore and storytelling around emeralds. They all have a unique individual fingerprint and to love emeralds, you need to appreciate their flaws. It’s also my birthstone and while I worked at Gemfields, I had the opportunity to visit the emerald mines in Zambia and really understand and experience the community firsthand.

12.  DO YOU HAVE A PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY YOU WEAR EVERY DAY AND IF SO, WHY?

Yes. I wear two Harwell Godfrey bangles mixed in with two vintage bangles and I don’t take them off. Lauren is an incredibly talented designer, and we have a really collaboratve relationship. For these bangles, she had created a version in pavé, but I had a vision for inlay. We customized my first bangle using mother of pearl inlay and a rainbow of colored gems as accents, and that made its way into the collection. I now have a coral and diamond version too!

13.  HOW DO YOU WANT TO FEEL WHEN YOU WEAR YOUR JEWELRY?

Powerful.

14.  LAST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU BOUGHT AND LOVED?

A vintage Cartier Tank from the ‘60s.

15.  THE BEST JEWELRY GIFT YOU’VE RECEIVED?

All the beaded jewelry that my daughter makes for me.

16.  THE THING YOU ARE COVETING NEXT?

A moonstone Vic ring from Jade Ruzzo and a Queen of Hearts bangle from Future Fortune to add to my stack.

17.  WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL?

An elephant because they are loyal, determined and protective.

18.  FAVORITE FOOD?

I’m a decadent person so I’d never say no to oysters or caviar but my favorite lunch is a great chopped salad and French fries.

19.  LEAST FAVORITE FOOD?

I’m not a picky eater but the idea of drinking cow’s milk is repulsive to me.

20.  WINE OR CHEESE?

I’ll never turn down either, but a dirty gin martini trumps them both.

21.  COFFEE OR TEA?

Matcha.

22.  YOGA OR BOXING?

Neither – hiking.

23.  FAVORITE SEASON?

Summer.

24.  FAVORITE CITY?

Mexico City or Tokyo.

25.  SUPERPOWER OF CHOICE?

Invisibility.

26.  SECRET SKILL?

Karaoke.

27.  WHEN DO YOU FEEL STRONGEST?

When I am successful for my clients – it’s not only validating, but also really rewarding.

28.  YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?

Heights.

29.  HOW DO YOU PICK YOURSELF UP FROM A LOW DAY?

A cuddle with my daughter and maybe some Casa Dragones tequila.

30.  WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL HAPPIEST?

I have an extra long charm necklace that holds so many of my sentimental pieces, and it never fails to make me happy.

31.  WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL STRONGEST?

A pair of matching 14k gold cuffs from the 1890s – total Wonder Woman vibes!

32.  WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?

Don’t be scared to say yes to new things – you can learn on the job!

33.  WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT YOU?

That I would be an interior designer if I wasn’t in jewelry.

34.  WHAT DOES ‘JOY’ MEAN TO YOU?

Being able to enjoy the little moments without worrying about the big picture.