Lauren Wolf began her jewelry making journey in the mountains of Mexico, whose natural elements continue to inspire her designs. Today, Lauren is best known for creating unusual engagement rings using ethically-mined, rare colored diamonds in her workshop in Oakland.
After attending the University of Georgia for journalism, Lauren was introduced to jewelry making by Billy King at the Sterling Quest School in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where she fell in love with the craft. She deepened her knowledge by studying jewelry design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, and describes her time learning from the vendors and artists of New York’s Diamond District as “priceless.”
After eight years of creating jewelry in New York City, Lauren relocated to the Bay Area, opening the doors to her Oakland gallery, Esqueleto, in 2011. The name of the shop, which translates to “skeleton,” is a nod both to her time spent learning metalsmithing in Mexico and to her penchant for casting bones, teeth and shells for use in her early designs.
Lauren’s jewelry evokes organic shapes with natural settings, asymmetric bands and colored diamonds which set her processes apart from commercial techniques. Her inspiration is clear when looking at her Stingray Claw Ring, where a mottled 14 karat white gold band rises to envelope a rose cut brown sugar diamond. The ring also features Lauren’s signature stingray pattern, a further reference to the natural world which inspires her.
Her handmade diamond rings utilize a variety of materials, such as the polished platinum in her Salt & Pepper Diamond Snowflake Ring. This intricately formed piece features a kite diamond center with a halo of pear-shaped champagne diamonds that form the branches of the snowflake.
Equally special in design is Lauren’s neckwear, such as the Rose Cut Diamond Necklace. The 14 karat gold is finished with a high polish to amplify the light reflected by the salt and pepper diamonds in the pendant. Lauren artfully houses the jewels with bezel prongs allowing for the dramatic contrast between the unique gems and the brightness of the gold.
Evoking a similar contrast is her Rose Cut Pear Diamond Ring which utilizes a bright 18 karat gold band to emphasize the beauty of the gemstones used in this ring. The two inverted brilliant-cut champagne diamonds on the outside edges contrast the dappled pattern of the salt and pepper diamond in the center.
Together these pieces are a testament to Lauren’s skill in jewelry metalworking and eye for unique gemstones. Her rich and experienced past has helped to incorporate natural shapes and forms in an unmistakable signature. Lauren’s artisanal fine jewelry is also wildly versatile, serving just as well as an edgy engagement ring as an eye-catching embellishment on an everyday outfit.
