By: Nancy Pierce
Since ancient civilizations, jewelers have adorned clothing and weaponry with precious stones, creating breathtakingly beautiful pieces. Many of these exquisite artifacts are now housed in private collections, while some can be admired in renowned museums like the Louvre, the Tower of London, and the Smithsonian Institution.
However, modern jewelry, especially the pieces showcased in the online gallery of the Cosmogem jewelry house, is in no way inferior to these historic treasures. The owner and chief jeweler of Cosmogem, Svetlana Vodolazhskaya, lives and works in Los Angeles, California. Formerly a highly regarded medical doctor, Svetlana’s passion for jewelry began in her youth, leading her to make a bold decision – leaving medicine behind to fully dedicate herself to the art of jewelry creation.
Among her clients are notable figures such as members of the Estée Lauder family, wellness industry investor Taylor Stein, and singer-songwriter Kira Kushnerova. They all affirm that the jewelry she creates is priceless. But what is the secret behind Cosmogem’s stunning pieces? Let’s explore.
What Makes a Stone Precious?
From time to time, stones like jade, smoky quartz, chalcedony, onyx, turquoise, jasper, and amber are classified as semi-precious in certain magazines. However, according to Svetlana Vodolazhskaya, all gemstones are precious – some are simply more accessible than others.
“In terms of physical and chemical properties, stones differ very little. The main distinction lies in how difficult they are to mine and process. But there’s no doubt that stones like jasper, ruby, chalcedony, and diamond are all precious,” she explains.
The Origin of a Gemstone Matters
At the same time, Svetlana emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between natural gemstones and cultured ones, which are created in laboratory settings. Unlike synthetic gems, natural stones are formed by natural processes deep within the Earth over millions of years. Cultured stones, on the other hand, are produced in labs within a matter of weeks. While they may sometimes appear more flawless than their organic counterparts, natural stones retain a piece of nature’s essence, with unique imperfections and slight variations in color.
For this reason, Svetlana Vodolazhskaya exclusively works with natural stones. As a tribute to nature’s magnificence, she insists on crafting each piece by hand, from stone polishing to clasp setting. Additionally, she personally selects and sources each gemstone from all over the world. Africa, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and China – there isn’t a gemstone mine that Svetlana hasn’t explored in her quest for extraordinary natural crystals and quartz.
By setting these natural gemstones in gold, platinum, or silver by hand, Svetlana creates jewelry that is both timeless and elegant. Her minimalist designs emphasize the uniqueness of each stone, giving the jewelry its enduring appeal to clients across all age groups. Indeed, Cosmogem’s pieces look stunning on both young women and mature ladies alike.
The pairing of gemstones – by color, shape, and cut – deserves special recognition. Svetlana follows strict ethical guidelines in her craft, adhering to what is known as the “temperature regime,” ensuring that warm and cool tones are not mixed, and selecting stones that harmonize perfectly with one another. Thanks to these principles, Cosmogem has become a highly competitive player in the market, positioning itself as a trendsetter in the jewelry industry for years to come.
This return to the origins of jewelry-making, where pieces crafted from precious stones and noble metals by hand became cultural masterpieces, has not gone unnoticed – especially as well-known personalities increasingly emphasize their timeless value.
Published by: Nelly Chavez
