I began making jewelry while attending a high school class on the subject, in my home town of Findlay, Ohio. During that period I received several awards, including a Gold Key Scholastic Award for jewelry in both 1979 and 1980. I furthered my study of metal smithing at Pendland School of Crafts in North Carolina and later at the University of South Carolina. My professional career began in 1981, when I became employed as a goldsmith. I continued working for various employers in the field until 1993, when I began my own business. In August of 1992, I completed the Gemological Institute of Am...
I began making jewelry while attending a high school class on the subject, in my home town of Findlay, Ohio. During that period I received several awards, including a Gold Key Scholastic Award for jewelry in both 1979 and 1980. I furthered my study of metal smithing at Pendland School of Crafts in North Carolina and later at the University of South Carolina. My professional career began in 1981, when I became employed as a goldsmith. I continued working for various employers in the field until 1993, when I began my own business. In August of 1992, I completed the Gemological Institute of America's program and earned my Graduate Gemologist Degree.
My experience as a goldsmith enables me to design jewelry that is functional and substantial enough that customers will not have durability problems. To me, this is a basic and fundamental consideration in designing fine jewelry.
As a graduate gemologist, I am aware of the broad spectrum of colored stones available beyond emeralds, blue sapphires and rubies. I always enjoy sharing my enthusiasm for colored stones with others, exciting people with the endless possibilites which exist for coordination of colored gemstone jewelry with fashion. To this end, I carefully hand select gemstones of all colors for use in my work. In choosing gemstones, I pay special attention to the quality of cut, for the maximum beauty it has to offer. In addition, I seek stones of exceptional clarity and vibrant color, always with an eye for overall quality and value.
As an artist, I have always been drawn to forms which are graceful and elegant, without being overly complex. I want my designs to enhance and amplify, never crowd or compete with the inherent beauty of the precious material of which they are composed. As I evolve to serve tomorrows taste, I will continue to draw on these basic principles of sound design in order to create classical style which will endure through the seasons of fashion.
2001 AGTA Spectrum Award
1998 26th International Pearl Design Competition
1995 De Beers Diamonds Today Award
1993 21st International Pearl Design Competition
1993 American Vision Award
Susan Marie Phipps
Four Biltmore Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 277-1272
Also visit: www.susanmphippsdesigns.com
