Gail Rigelhaupt

No. 51 38" Long Southwest USA turquoise with matte metallic, (grayish/blueish/brownish) iridescent, Japanese seed beads, and sterling silver, on covered stainless steel. $295	No. 27 34" Long Large, faceted, smoky topaz drop, quartet of medium citrines, small, clear onyx and African horn beads, with sterling silver accents on covered stainless steel. $395
No. 23 38" Long Antique Chinese hand-carved bone dragon charm on knotted black leather with African black beads. $245	No. 41 30" L African amber, Chinese cinnabar & black horn with matte taupe, metallic, Japanese seed beads $370

My work, whether jewelry or typography, has always projected an Eastern sensibility. Likely, because my ethos ties strongly to the Japanese concept of “wabi-sabi”. which ascribes to simple realities: nothing is finished, nothing is perfect, and nothing lasts. Described by the preeminent Japanese architect Tadao Ando, wabi sabi ideology reveres the simple, authentic, natural, and as such, beautifully imperfect—aesthetically celebrating “cracks and other marks that time, weather, and loving use leave behind.”

Features like these drew me to my first “stones” on a trip to Santa Fe. They were rich and archetypal, no two alike. Veins ran through them, uneven and irregular. Each stone begged for attention, inviting me to hone in—to examine its depth of color, touch its surface, imagine its origin and attribute meaning to its unique form. These stones were “gems”, imperfect—and beautiful.

I hope you respond to the way the jewelry hangs, where it falls on your body, how it feels in your hand. Each one-of-a-kind piece is designed as a personal talisman, with meaning for the person who responds to it. I hope your response is instinctual, and that when you wear it, you feel your beautiful individuality, imperfect, or not.

Professionally, Rigelhaupt has enjoyed 20+ years as an executive creative director, designer, and artist, mostly in NYC. With award-winning work featured in a variety of design media and exhibits, she continues to consult on branding, design thinking, visual identity, and consumer trends with commercial ventures and non-profits. Her early “Linea” jewelry collection was represented in boutiques, galleries, and a runway show. Instinctively, she is curious, provocative, direct, thoughtful, and fun. Personally, she loves exploring new places, cultures, art forms, and just being with her daughter.