RARITY // Giovanna Torrico

Lumen is a measure of the amount of visible light emitted by a source; Giovanna Torrico's Lumen Necklace has enough to read by.

The artist designed a series of just nine necklaces to be sold exclusively through Crown Nine (online and in-store) as a part of our Rarity series, a project that's mission is to connect the maker with the wearer to deepen and broaden our understanding and appreciation for things made by hand.

Giovanna is obsessed with textiles and has been working with vintage sequins that were manufactured in a period ranging from the mid 1800's to the 1960's.   Giovanna hunts these rare and disappearing little bits of history and strings them with the cleanest sensibility, resulting in striking contemporary designs that feel modern, timeless, and effortless.

The Lumen Necklace has a strand of vibrant/ psychedelic vintage sequins from the 1960's {the perfect pop of color for fall} nestled between oxidized sterling silver beads.

Visit Giovanna Torrico's Studio with photographer Eva Kolenko READ ON>>>

L OV E + M E T A L

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

Rarity // Behind The Scenes with Voce Keen + Eva Kolenko

I first met Amanda a few years ago at a trunk show she was doing at Hangr 16 boutique, formally located on 16th st.  I remember seeing her and thinking she was some sort of rock goddess.  I loved her jewelry, much of it sand-casted by hand, and her incredible personal style {her interview totally nails her influences to a T}.  When I opened Crown Nine, Amanda was one of the first designers I wanted on board, I felt like Oakland women would really vibe what she is doing.  She has a loyal following here, including probably one of her number one fans Erin D {who has become one of my favorite people!}.

I figured that EVA KOLENKO would really dig Amanda and her line VOCE KEEN.  Eva's jewelry taste is definitely on the rock/ gritty/ pretty-masculine side {a girl after my own heart!}.  Eva and I met up, drove out to San Francisco's Mission neighborhood to see Amanda's studio and talk shop.  See Eva's photo tour {here} and shop Voce Keen stunning silver pyramid necklace {here}.  Enjoy!

Shop Voce Keen Silver Pyramid Necklace >>>

L O V E + M E T A L

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

RARITY // Behind the Scenes with Sarah Swell + Eva Kolenko

There are days when I am totally amazed by the job I made for myself. When I envisioned becoming a jeweler, one of the things I was looking for in my life was more time spent with creative, inspiring people. And blam-o, here I am all these years later, hanging with two amazing and inspiring women who continually blow me away with their grit and eye for beauty. Sarah Swell and Eva Kolenko are total comrades who have taught me many things about life and supported my business in uncountable ways.  Friendship, business support, inspiration...not so bad, I must say.

Sarah and I have studios fairly close to one another, so I often pop by for errands and to bug her for no good reason. Eva had yet to check it out, so she brought baby Parker along and snapped all theses amazing PHOTOS for Rarity. Sarah made a excuse-my-language-outburst worthy necklace/ring, a silvery slithering serpent with a green diamond eye. You must see it >>>.

Here are some of my favorite outtakes from hanging with these girls. Enjoy.

L O V E + M E T A L

S P R E A D T H E L O V E

In The Studio //

It's been a while since I've had a production day in the studio, I have to say I really miss it.  Today I cleaned all my inventory that has been at Crown Nine, and now it's all organized and sparkling!I also made some hoop earrings, replenished my Cerco earrings and necklaces, made a few Pentagon Cuffs, and started the work of making the "gravel" for everything in my Meta collection which sold out in the store.  Tomorrow I am blocking out time to carve some wax for some engagement ring ideas I have...I love having time for doing experimentation.  If I get anything done I'll post it on my Instagram.  xo

L O V E + M E T A L 

S P R E A D T H E L O V E