Vanessa Fernandez's Handmade Jewelry
Manual work and responsibly selected materials: these are designer Vanessa Fernandez’s priorities as she gives craftsmanship progressive value
At the last Couture Show in Las Vegas, Vanessa Fernandez won first place in the Best in Colored Gemstones Above $40K Retail category with a one-of-a-kind necklace, the result of over 120 hours of artisan workmanship. Thirty-two carats of chrysoberyls interspersed with diamond pavé on two types of links, supported by 150 grams of a customized, 18K, yellow gold alloy. An unrepeatable item, made entirely by hand with no digital intervention whatsoever and cold-assembled, one of the most authentic features of Curva, a collection that the designer continues to nourish with creations that celebrate sensuality through the fluidity of shapes and the nobility of materials. Born in Miami of Cuban-Armenian descent, Vanessa is no stranger to such accolades. In 2025 alone, she entered the Jewelers of America's “20 Under 40” program, which rewards the industry's most influential young professionals, received JCK's Editors' Choice Award for Best Diamond Jewelry, the Influencers' Choice Award for Best Piece with Colored Stones, as well as several wins in the pearl category. Awards that acknowledge her visionary talent, rooted in the principles of sustainability.
Gold rings with purple sapphire
In fact, according to Vanessa, everything stems from the choice of materials, which must come from responsible sources. An intention that consistently continues throughout a meticulous manufacturing process. In her Miami studio, she designs, makes wax models, casts customized alloys, assembles, and finishes her creations with an obsessive focus on quality and exclusivity, without ever resorting to molds or industrial techniques. Movement is preserved through a game of illusions that makes a solid and rigorous piece appear soft and fluid. «The aim is for the jewelry to look simple and light, even though there are hours of meticulous work behind it,» she explains. «The way the metal interacts with the skin - whether an earring that moves or a ring that wraps around the finger - is crucial. For me, comfort is a priority. I am constantly inspired by the seductive power of the female form and the fluidity of gold.» Urged on by her determination to tell an authentic story while respecting raw materials and craftsmanship, her work confirms how refinement, innovation and responsibility towards the planet can coexist in contemporary fine jewelry.
