A lifelong creative and innate creator, Claudia’s journey into jewelry began on New York’s Madison Avenue. A lunch hour escape from her corporate day job, she lost herself window shopping the high-jewelry houses. But wherever she looked, she could never find one elusive piece; the perfect gold band. Realizing the only answer was to create it herself, Claudia soon dreamt not of wearing the works of art she saw in those windows, but making them. Claudia was determined to make this dream a reality and took to the bench. Learning with a local jewelry studio led to studying at the Gemological Institution of America and finally apprenticing under esteemed fine jewelers.
The first piece Claudia designed and made is now the brand’s signature Nomad Ring, a distinctive marriage of aesthetics and personal story. This intuitive balancing of design and meaning has become a hallmark of Claudia’s style.
Claudia understands how and why women wear jewelry. Each collection is inspired – and approved – by a close, multigenerational community of incredible women. Always open to inspiration, Claudia finds her ideas in art, life, travel, animals and the spectacular colored gemstones she sources for her pieces.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
OUR MATERIALS
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With suppliers all around the world, we are committed to using only the most beautiful natural gemstones that have been carefully evaluated for cut, color, saturation and brilliance.
Using untreated gemstones whenever possible, we do accept certain gemstone treatments, such as heating or oil application, which are considered industry standard. -
All CM diamonds are natural, untreated and conflict-free. We source only from suppliers that adhere to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCWS).
All diamonds are VS1/SI1 clarity and G-H color, unless otherwise noted. We are able to work with lab grown diamonds upon special request. -
We are aware of the environmental and social impact of metal mining and are proud to manufacture our jewelry in 100% recycled gold.
Believing that jewelry should be an investment that lasts a lifetime, we work with real, solid 14k gold (58.3% pure gold alloyed with 41.7% silver and copper) for its durability and discerning soft yellow color. Special order items can be made in 18k gold or platinum.
OUR PRODUCTION
MANUFACTURING
Staying close to Claudia's roots as a bench jeweler, all CM pieces are manufactured in her home city of Philadelphia and her (second) home city of New York. Our team of master jewelers shares our passion for design and natural materials, and have a strong respect for ethical, small-scale production. She relies on CAD (computer aided design) throughout her design process and for select pieces that require the utmost precision. All Nomad Rings and Fauna Collection pieces are made using molds from Claudia's original studio versions.
OUR SIGNATURE TECHNIQUE
Our jewelers are experts in our signature burnish setting technique. One of the oldest and most secure setting styles, burnished gemstones sit flush with the surface of the metal. To achieve this look, a pillow hole is drilled in the metal, then a ball burr is used to make a concave depression that exactly matches the size of the stone. Once the stone is positioned in its seat, the metal is manipulated around the edge with a chasing tool to lock it in place. It takes considerable time and skill to master this technique.
