Coralyn Whitney

Medium: Jewelry
Studio: 521 4th St W
Phone: 425.890.3586

Website

After retiring from the University of Washington as a research professor, I pursued my lifelong passion for rocks and jewelry by embarking on my own jewelry design business. As part of this, the researcher in me also wanted to know all about the quality and value of gemstones (both natural and synthetic) available to offer my clients. To that end, I obtained my graduate gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

Being a visual person, I start the creative process by surrounding myself with a variety of beads and metals to see what I can create, often leading me in a direction different from my original intentions. I hand-craft my jewelry out of sterling silver, 14K gold-filled, or higher karat gold, utilizing fine quality gemstone beads and pearls, which includes amethyst, peridot, sapphires, garnets and a few diamonds, as well as opaque beads of tiger eye, lapis, a wide variety of jaspers, and south sea pearls. Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls, and seed beads are used as color and texture accents.

My classic designs utilize faceted gems and lustrous pearls, while my contemporary designs include the “big bead and chain” casual necklaces and bracelets, and eclectic dangly earrings incorporating glass “coffee bean” beads. The rings I design are manufactured out of 14K or 18K gold, and/or platinum, and mounted with unusual “fantasy cut” gems of fine color or the rarer natural color diamonds.

I regularly attend trade shows and have working relationships with several award-winning fine jewelry designers in the industry. This allows me to seek out unusual design elements to make my one-of-a-kind pieces more interesting and unique.

In addition to my hand-crafted work, I offer custom design services to my clients, along with “personal” gem buying services. Designs are done cooperatively with the client to reflect their personality and lifestyle, whether it is a new piece being created or a beloved treasure reworked.