All designs, images, text, code, business
name and logo on this website are copyrighted
and are the exclusive property of Susan Russell
and Susan Russell Designs and cannot be
copied or used without express written permission.
Atelier consists of a retail gallery and working studio where owner Susan Russell and a staff of dedicated artisans create unique fine handcrafted jewelry. Our designs are couture in the true meaning of the word—original (many of our designs are copyrighted), handmade, frequently one-of-a-kind, and often custom made to the desires of a particular customer. We use high karat gold, sterling, vermeil or 14k gold filled metals (often hammered), and specialize in exotic pearls such as South Sea (Indonesian golden, Australian white and multi-colored Tahitian), akoya, kasumi, and keishi pearls in both saltwater and freshwater varieties, as well as rare and sophisticated gemstones such as sillimanite, cavensite, Peruvian opal, scapolite, kyanite, vesuvianite, chrome diopside, spinel and sapphires in rare colors. We also work with more well-known stones such as garnet, citrine, ruby, peridot, amethyst, smoky quartz, blue and green topaz, aquamarine, carnelian, tourmaline, lemon quartz, black onyx, Mexican fire opals, emerald, prehnite, bronzite, moonstone, green amethyst, lapis lazuli, diamond, turquoise, iolite, fluorite, chalcedony, labradorite (also known as spectrolite), amazonite, chrysoprase, labradorite, larimar, natural rock crystal, tiger eye, pietersite, rutilated quartz, jade, vesuvianite or vesonite. All of our gemstones and other materials are personally selected by Susan and are of the highest possible quality. In selecting gemstones, Susan looks for clarity, unusual cuts, and fine polish and faceting.
Every once in a while we’ll grab some of the organic materials we treasure such as coral (we’re fussy about it!) fossils (ammonite, trilobite and orthoceras are favorites), shells, amber or druzy in various stones and make something bold and rustic. Whether we’re making fine jewelry, fashion or bridal jewelry, a necklace, bracelet, earrings or ring, we let the materials inspire the design! At Atelier, we never use crystals, synthetic stones or other manmade imitations—only the real thing. We handforge many of our clasps and other findings from sterling, fine silver or gold. In addition, Atelier features rare and lovely designs by a small number of outside designers who work in materials as diverse as 24k gold (forged by our favorite goldsmith in Turkey into designs inspired by ancient Anatolian and Roman motifs and techniques) and copper (worked into very contemporary designs). Our jewelry is not for everyone—only those who desire something truly special in wearable art.
