Lauren Wolf’s love for gold and platinum began in the mountains of Mexico, while learning traditional metalsmithing—an earthy and tactile experience that permeates her design sensibility today. Crafted in her Bay Area studio, Lauren Wolf’s one-of-a-kind jewelry is unusual and personal in the best way—a collection akin to private, miniature works of art for the body. Her diamonds are particularly exceptional, with a focus on rare, inclusive-flecked species in large carat weights.
Lauren Wolf practices an artform called cire perdue, also known as lost-wax casting. The technique has been perfected by small sculptural workshops since the early Bronze Age, used most often to capture intricate designs in precious metal.
For each piece of jewelry, Lauren Wolf hand-carves a small model in wax, which is then immersed in a vessel of plaster. When the plaster is fired in a kiln, the wax melts out and is “lost,” leaving a perfect replica of the original sculpture. This technique is particularly suited for Lauren Wolf’s design style, resulting in glossy, complex designs that best allow the stonework to glow.
There is a funny connection between jewelry and sweets—you’ll often hear our staff referring to the jewelry display cases in Santa Fe Dry Goods as the “candy shop.” Flares of pink and orange sapphire most obviously draw this connection, but the motif holds strong in Lauren Wolf’s neutral realm as well. Across this small, introductory selection of Lauren Wolf’s necklace and rings, find mouth-watering diamonds that boast evocative varietal names like brown sugar and champagne.
