Jewelry designers may seem like a dime a dozen these days but Ninaki Priddy is not one of them. She’s an LA based designer speciliazing in jewelry design, sculpture and architecture. Her creations are like small pieces of art you would find in a gallery, definite conversation starters! We had a chat with the designer herself to find out more.

First things first, when did you first start designing your own jewelry?
— I made my first piece when i was 21. It was a monstrous pendant sculpted out of alabaster stone, so it easily weighed 3-4 lbs. I've always had an affinity for bold, cocktail pieces... It was more about the ceremonial adoration for ones body that appealed to me, the jewels of the Nile, Cleopatra and her stones.

I see, but do you only design rings?
— The collection is growing for 2008 - necklaces, earrings, hair-pins, more rings... As a debut, this first collection was introduced as a series of rings inspired by feminine characters in my life... An ode to the ultra-femme, a play on magic wands.

Do you aspire to design other types of jewelry in the future?
— I'd love to do an engagement line or some time-pieces.

Which famous celebrities have been seen wearing your items?
— I had some reps from Cyana Lab go to Paris for Jeremy Scott's birthday party, and I snapped a great shot of him in the Mini Trixie ring.

What do you feel makes your jewelry different from other designers’ creations?
— I'm still experimenting with fabrication techniques - incorporating what I learned in architecture school and adding a fashion twist to it. Working between a hand sculpted piece and a computer generated model, the jewelry aesthetic definitely references between the organic and the technical. I'm a girly girl, but you won’t see me making anything with hearts.

Which pieces of jewelry do you wear on a daily basis?
— Mini Trixie, I dont ever take her off. She's has a mind of her own... when she's happy she sits straight up...when she's dramatic, she lays herself across the neighboring finger.

Let’s say you had to choose only one item of jewelry to wear for a month, which would it be?
— The Tabitha ring, it's mini but mighty.

How many people work for NINAKI Jewelry?
— NINAKI jewelry is a brand new company. A headcount of 5 strong, our manufacturing takes place in Mexico City, so I travel between L.A. & DF.

For more information visit ninaki.com