Colette Steckel: Creating Jewelry With a Heart

Colette Steckel isn't just a jeweler -- she's an artist.

It's been said that jewelry has a heart and soul to it that clothing, shoes or other accessories just can't match. Mix that heartfelt attention to detail with precious and semi-precious stones, and you've got Colette Jewelry, a fresh line of unique and magnificent luxury pieces that easily become the highlight of any outfit you wear.

Colette Steckel's foray into jewelry design began at the tender age of eight, when she began working with stones her mother brought home from Brazilian mines. She'd break pieces off using tweezers and file them down, then use them and paper clips to make rings that she would then sell to friends and family.

"That went on until my mom found out -- she finally noticed her collection of stones was falling apart," Steckel says with a laugh. "I have never looked back!"

Her dedication to her craft has made Steckel one of the most famous jewelers in Latin America, and has made a fan out of Hollywood hot shots like Salma Hayek. Still, Steckel still finds herself challenged in trying to appeal to everyone's tastes and personality. This said, Steckel isn't slowing down for trying.

"As my business has grown and become transcontinental, I have more people working with me so I have more time to really focus on the designs," says Steckel. "Before, I was doing it all and sometimes it can take away from the creative side. Luckily it didn't with me, but it is very hard work starting your own jewelry line and becoming distinct. As my business has progressed, I have progressed as a designer and have been able to become familiar with so many different stones and gems that really add a new flavor to my lines. I have also realized how motivated and influenced I am by color."



Which is probably why Steckel describes her customers as women with confident, feminine and bold personalities --precisely the type of people who would be drawn to her new spring line, influenced by her childhood in France. Steckel finds herself most drawn to three-fingered rings and double-sided necklaces that display designs on the front and back, though she counts her flowered cuff as her top seller, and would love to see everyone take home one of her rosaries. "I think the normal images people see of God or religion can be dark at times ... images of Jesus on the cross. But my rosaries show God in a more positive image -- they add light to the subject. They are my lucky charms," she says. But for customers who have a hard time figuring out how to transition accessories into a warmer season, Steckel has some tips.

"In hotter weather we see more necklaces with soft colors," she explains. "Also, take notice that when the temperatures rise, people wear much more jewelry because they are wearing less clothes. Jewels replace some of the clothes in order to decorate the body."

As for making the transition? "It's always good to wear pieces in different ways, on different parts of your body. You wouldn't believe how different pieces can look of different parts of the body!! It's almost a reinvention of a piece."
This spring Steckel realized her dream of opening a Los Angeles boutique, showcasing her work in yellow, pink, white, 18 to 24 karat gold, using everything from the finest diamonds, semiprecious and precious stones, as well as unique and rare gems. One thing is for certain -- buying her work guarantees the customer a piece of Steckel's heart.

"All of my pieces have sentimental value," she admits. "Each design is hand made and has my passion and sweat in it. I spend so much time on each and every piece -- touching, feeling and making them -- that it's to the point where I'm sad when it's done. It may be hard to understand, but I really do get attached to the pieces. I know every detail of each piece in all of my lines -- they're timeless and I'm attached to each and everyone. That's why I'm an artist and not just a jeweler."


Visit Colette Jewelry online at http://www.colettejewelry.com or at her store, 8457 Melrose Place, Los Angeles, CA 90069.