Los-Angeles based Grace Lee’s eponymous jewelry line has taken its inspiration from “amazing women” around her and “the way women move and live,” but her new collection, Demi, references the classic gold band.
Her custom clients request more significant wedding bands, often set with diamonds. At the same time, brides opt for one standout piece instead of a separate engagement ring and wedding band combo – and Grace usually ends up creating a custom piece that inspires an entire collection. This time, it resulted in the Demi rings and earrings interpreted in 14-karat yellow, white, and rose gold and accented, primarily, with diamonds.
What inspired your Demi Collection?
The Demi Collection is one of my favorites; a simple gold band is timeless and classic. Our Demi Collection is my modern yet feminine take on the classic gold band. Adding stones on our Demi Collection was a way to embellish a classic piece with a new interpretation. The Demi earrings are the earring version of the gold band; they are like a wave of gold that wraps on the earlobe and can also be embellished with stones.
How did your Resin Collection come about?
I wanted to add a different color and tactile component to my ring stacks. I experimented with a few different materials, but resin allowed the most flexibility. I was able to find a local resin manufacturer and started working with them. It began as a personal experiment that became permanent.
How do you marry your designs with responsible practices?
I still work with the same handful of diamond suppliers I started with. Trust and transparent practices are one of our core values. Trusting that we are only sourcing conflict-free diamonds is critical to doing our part for our planet. We use recycled gold whenever possible, and demand diamond sources that adhere to the Kimberly Process.
You have been using natural diamonds in your creations. So, what led to your collaboration with Diamond Foundry (lab-grown diamond company)?
Many of my custom clients started requesting lab-created diamonds. There is a lot of information about lab-created diamonds and many different producers out there, but I wanted to do my research. I visited the Diamond Foundry’s headquarters in Northern CA and met with the executive team. If I was going to promote lab-created diamonds, I wanted to do my due diligence to ensure the process is indeed transparent. As we built our relationship, they asked me to create a handful of designs using their diamonds.
What is your vision for design aesthetics?
My vision for design aesthetics is modern but timeless. If you think about it, precious stones have been around for thousands of years. I love the idea of breathing a new perspective on something classic. I also consider the functionality and wearability of my designs. I want my clients to live daily in my designs and layer on new pieces through the years.
