"Here’s to all the badass women out there trying to make it in this world."

This book is to honor all the women that are succeeding, and struggling to push ahead in every industry.

The jewelry industry is an incredibly difficult path. The competition is fierce and there is product everywhere. It is nearly impossible to stand out, to be unique, to mange a business and inevitably come to the level of success that is necessary to become a recognizable brand.

I have been in the industry for 49 years. I raised a family on my business, Christine Marguerite Designs. I would never overlook the love, respect and outstanding recognition I’ve received in my career. I love my job, and enjoy creating the perfect design for the client who appreciates it. It is one of the most satisfying experiences of my life.

I have also experienced some of the difficulties of being a woman in the industry first hand.

On occasion, I would be asked to lower my prices or copy other jewelers work at a reduced cost, yet my male competitors would not be asked to do the same. I was determined to stand up for my pricing and designs. More importantly I needed to establish that my work and my value, was equal to any other designer.

One morning in 2016 I bolted up out of a deep sleep and asked myself, "Am I the only woman going through this?" I decided at that moment to interview and showcase 100 women currently in the jewelry industry and to learn how they navigated the industry's obstacles. This was how 100 ‘Women of Jewelry’ was created. I have interviewed some of the most diverse, interesting and successful women in the jewelry industry today. I listened to what they had to say about their process, their decision-making, their struggles and failures, and inevitably, their successes. I determined that each woman's story has the greatest value. The jewelry designs are the resulting manifestation of all their hard work.

When I had the inspiration for this project, I saw it in detail in its entirety. I began to plan how I might accomplish each step I needed to take. I knew this project would demand I tell a powerful story, and tell it well. The search for the artists became an intriguing treasure hunt. I asked each artist at the end of her interview who she would want to see included in this book. This is how I kept growing my interview list.

I have not regretted a single interview and now I am dear friends with all of these women. I unwittingly created a community of women jewelry artists that now all know of each other, and can turn to each other for support.

My very first steps were to begin researching for 'women jewelry designers'. I was initially directed to all the male jewelry designers making jewelry for women. I saw a lot of jewelry and discussion about jewelry online, both on social media platforms and in jewelry news. Yet no one was talking about the women artists rising to the enormous challenge of establishing their jewelry brands, and I did not see anyone in the field addressing the complexities of being a woman in this once traditionally male dominated industry.

I knew I needed help with this process. My husband Tom Turner, my friends, and my family all stepped up to help me manage my jewelry business. I learned that when a project gets all 'green lights' I needed to follow that instinct. I visualized the portraits as fine art quality B&W images. I wanted to show the strength, the vulnerability and the truth in each woman’s face. We have gone to London, Paris, Miami, Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Las Vegas, wherever the artist happened to be.

Approaching this project as a museum exhibit, and book, I selected each woman for her unique approach, her innovation in the industry, her skill, and most importantly, her story. I created this project to be inclusive, and show diversity. I asked each woman to tell me about her experience in the jewelry industry. How did the events in her life intertwine with becoming a jewelry designer? What are some insights as to how the next generation of designers should navigate in such a rapidly changing and competitive field?

Each of the selected women's words is profoundly inspirational. Some women included are the first woman jewelers in several generations of their family business. Other women needed to have a business to stay home with their young children. There are women included who needed to work with their hands because of a grievous loss, and were comforted by the therapy that creating something beautiful provided. I asked difficult questions and received raw answers that were unexpected and emotional.

Marianne Hunter is one of the most prolific and talented fine art jewelry designers of our time. I had the incredible opportunity to meet her at her home in Palos Verdes and visit with her and her husband, and have lunch. Marianne is a great inspiration as she has maintained and evolved her style, and elegant work for so many years, and never compromised under pressure from the market. She is a joy to know, and has become a dearly loved, very good friend.

When Covid hit in 2020, I had to discontinue visiting the artists in person, but I was able to continue to interview via Zoom, which brought a new set of circumstances. Conducting ‘virtual’ interviews allowed me to spend quality time with each woman, and I noted that the need for the artist to connect as a community was greater than ever. The pandemic situation had expanded my reach across the world. This opportunity allowed me access to a global perspective, and provided insight into what each woman was going through in her country, and with her business. I was amazed at how resilient and creative the responses were. I also noted that the women designers focused on keeping the manufacturing families supported, even though they had to downsize in some cases. In every response, the people were the priority.

I am so grateful to Frank Stankus, who wrote the tribute to his wife, Cindy Edelstein, and is the book’s editor, and to Peggy Sands (Indigo Disegno) who offered to design the book presentation. I was honored that Steven Fishman wrote the tribute for his wife Professor Yupadee Kobkulboonsiri for the second volume. Michelle Orman generously allowed us to interview dozens of artists at Couture for four years and has contributed her perspective on this work for Volume II.

Yianni Melas, @gemexplorer suggested I contact some of the designers that I would never have otherwise been introduced to, and provided me exceptional guidance. I am thankful to the staff at Couture, for their generous support, and to the Wynn in Las Vegas for providing an opportunity for all of the artists. I am grateful for the pertinent contribution that Iris Van de Veken of the Responsible Jewelry Council has provided on the importance of supporting women in the jewelry industry. The generosity of everyone I have consulted with has been simply amazing, and I am honored that this book and exhibition will be my hallmark on the world of jewelry. There are many more individuals and organizations, that I will give tribute to, later in the book.

Please enjoy these introductions and women interviews. I hope to provide current, insightful and pertinent information to help other artists navigate a complicated field. May my efforts to record the stories of ‘100 Women of Jewelry’ offer inspiration, hope, and guidance for every woman on her journey of self discovery and professional success.

I offer you these 100 women's stories, insights and guidance, that all happen to be successful jewelry designers. To elevate them, is to elevate the entire community.

Women of Jewelry can be purchased at: 100 Women of Jewelry

Credits:

Iris Van der Veken Executive Director of the Watch and Jewellery Initiative

@by_Couture

Nourah Al Faisal @nuunjewels

Bague Colconde diamond ring

Bague Thahab

BO Ombre

Karen Suen @karensuenfinejewellery

Paraiba and Diamond Necklace

E 1992 drop earrings

B1824 Ruby Ring

Marianne Hunter

Moonlight Falls

On Mesas and Canyon Walls

Leaves Sing

SUBSCRIBE FREE TO PALOS VERDES PULSE

***Linda Kozloff-Turner, Author of ‘**100 Women of Jewelry**‘ and owner and lead designer of*** ***Christine Marguerite Designs***

I am a multi-faceted human being. I am a mother, a wife, an artist, a designer, a writer, and a photographer. All of those skills have converged to be the primary factors that make up the person I call ‘myself’.

I want to be stronger, smarter, loving, and compassionate with every action that I take. To be remembered fondly is the ultimate compliment. I do no harm, as much as I can consciously enact. I’m quick with wit but spare no words when needed. I love a good laugh, great friends, and the simple act of cooking my family a beautiful meal. I surround myself with beauty, love, entrusted family, and I step in to help whenever needed. No one has to ask me twice.

My motto is, ‘You never know when you are having good luck’. It is imperative to see beyond the moment and grasp the bigger picture. Embracing a challenge is a refined skill, and my superpowers are my powers of observation.As the owner of a jewelry design studio in Boulder Colorado, Christine Marguerite Designs, my commitment is to offer the highest quality jewelry made, in a price range that my clients can afford. I never try to be better than anyone else. That is wasted effort. In yoga, we practice closing our eyes to do a pose. There will always be someone better, or richer, or more beautiful. Don’t even look! I do what is right for me, and I practice that philosophy more skillfully as I continue to develop my business.