ImageMakers //Award-Winning Fine Jeweler Chris Correia
Photo Courtesy Chris Correia
Marilyn Monroe’s iconic song ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ comes to mind when looking at a dazzling piece of jewelry. In fact, exquisite jewelry can enhance your beauty as well as accessorize your wardrobe. Just adding a stunning necklace to a plain black dress gives you an entirely new look. Likewise, the pairing of jeans and a blouse or sweater with an intriguing pair of earrings and/or necklace immediately upgrades that style for an evening out.
Photo Courtesy Chris Correia
Looking at a beautiful piece of jewelry, you may have asked yourself before how does one become a jeweler who creates such gorgeous designs? To reveal what it takes, we asked award-winning fine jeweler and our featured ImageMaker Chris Correia to describe her path for us.
“When I inherited my uncle's jeweler’s tools at the age of sixteen, I knew that I wanted to be a jeweler. I worked diligently to perfect and master the craft in fine jewelry design. I studied jewelry and metalsmithing at Massachusetts College of Art and was awarded a scholarship at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where I earned a BFA in Fine Arts and Design.”
It didn’t stop there. Chris subsequently completed Graduate Gemologist Certification in both diamonds and colored stones at the Gemological Institute of America. Thereafter, she studied and worked abroad initially in an integrated work/study Goldsmithing program at Sir John Cass College of Art in London, followed by several years of work and study at Fachhochschule für Gestaltung (School of Design) in Pforzheim, Germany.
After returning to New York in 1984, she founded her own company, Chris Correia Collection, producing an elegant collection and incorporating many international concepts in the skilled design of her unique fine jewelry.
Photo Courtesy Chris Correia
Her distinctive European styling is contemporary yet classic with timeless elegance. The collection is executed in predominately platinum and 18kt. gold. Her styling has a strong European influence adapted for an American market; contemporary, yet classic; and architectural, yet organic.
Chris specializes in Bridal and Platinum Designer Collections using diamonds and satin finishes to create her unique and recognizable styling.
“The influence for my designs is derived from the clean lines of architecture, the colors and forms of nature, and the way a woman moves.”
- Chris Correia
A piece of jewelry is always a great gift idea, as it not only provides a thoughtful and personalized gift for anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, the birth of a child and weddings, but it can also be an heirloom to pass on for generations. I treasure the fine jewelry I inherited from my mother. Wearing one of her pieces is a wonderful feeling. One that always reminds me of her even when I am not wearing it.
Above that, fine jewelry is a smart investment because it contains precious metals, which in a worst-case scenario can be monetized.
Photo Courtesy Chris Correia
With Valentine’s Day and wedding season coming up fast, this is an excellent opportunity to consider this kind of lifetime investment for your significant other or another important loved one.
See more of Chris Correia’s exquisite captivating jewelry collection as well as information on how to order any of her finished as well as custom-made designs on her website here https://www.chriscorreia.com