A portion of this interview appeared in an article on Millennial Jewelers in Volume 24, Issue 3 of Gem-A’s Gems & Jewellery Magazine. Across studios from New York to Geneva, a new guard of millennial designers is reshaping fine jewellery with intention at its core. Groundbreaking jewellers are part of a generation that was born roughly between 1981–1996 and are known to prioritise real-life experiences; ethical, sustainable consumption, and self-expression. These attitudes are shaping the jewellery industry of the future. Members of the trade and customers alike prize resonance over spectacle, story over trend and craftsmanship that is meant to be worn. In their hands, gold becomes language, stones become memory and technology is a tool in service of touch.
The feature brought together eight distinct voices, whose work spans sound and science, antiquity and imagination, architectural restraint, colour and connection, heritage and modern grace. Each designer invites us to see jewellery not only as adornment, but as a way to mark who we are and how we move through the world. Meet…
RUVEIL: SOUND, SCIENCE AND SOUL
Gabrielle Saunders, Designer/Founder
Instagram: @RuveilDesignHouse
Gabrielle Saunders sees jewellery as more than ornamentation; rather, it is energy made visible. As the designer and founder of Ruveil, Ms Saunders approaches each creation as both an artistic expression and a spiritual practice. “I was born with the love of adornment,” she says. “Jewellery design was the only path I wanted to pursue. I like to say that it chose me.”
From a young age, Ms Saunders was fascinated by how something small could hold immense meaning. Her early years were spent in pre-college programs at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) and the Tyler School of Art before formally studying jewellery design at Pratt Institute. That foundation evolved into a deep curiosity about gemstones: their structure, vibration, and the emotions they carry. “That curiosity led me to earn my Graduate Gemologist and Graduate Pearl diplomas at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA),” she explained. “Over time, jewellery became both my creative language and my spiritual practice.”
Can you share your journey into jewelry, and what first inspired you to become a jeweler or designer?
I was born with the love of adornment, and jewelry design was the only path I wanted to pursue. I like to say that it chose me! At a very young age, I began teaching myself how to make jewelry and was always creating something new. Once I entered high school, I enrolled in pre-college programs at FIT, RISD, and Tyler School of Art, filling my evenings and weekends with learning and creating.
My deep love of beauty and storytelling fueled my creative process as I’ve always been fascinated by how something so small could hold such meaning. After studying jewelry design at Pratt Institute, I found myself drawn to gemstones and how they carry energy and emotion. That curiosity led me to earn my Graduate Gemologist and Graduate Pearl diplomas at GIA, which opened up a whole new world of understanding about the Earth, crystal structures, and gemstone formation. Over time, jewelry became both my creative language and my spiritual practice.
How does your generation’s perspective (Gen Z/Millennial) reflected in the way you design or run your business?
I think Millennials value meaning over materialism. We want connection, purpose, and authenticity in what we create and share. For me, that means designing jewelry that goes beyond adornment. My work is about resonance; emotionally, energetically, and aesthetically. I also love being transparent about my process and values.
Who or what are some of your biggest creative influences?
Nature is always my greatest muse! Its geometry, patterns, and frequencies inspire everything I do. I’m also deeply influenced by cymatics, the study of how sound creates form, as well as ancient architecture, sacred geometry, and modern artists who merge science with spirit.
How would you describe your design aesthetic in three words?
Resonant, sculptural, transcendent.
Describe a new collection, or collection, you’re working on and the story behind it.
My latest work, The Cymatics Collection, is inspired by the way sound frequencies shape matter, and how vibration gives rise to form. Each piece draws from cymatic patterns that emerge when sound moves through sand, water, or small particles, revealing intricate mandalas of resonance. I wanted to explore the intersection between gemology and sound, and how the crystal lattice of each gemstone vibrates uniquely, creating its own frequency signature. It’s a celebration of the unseen and the energy that connects everything.
What is a jewelry that you designed that has a particularly meaningful story for you?
One of my favorite pieces is a pendant from The Cymatics Collection that mirrors the 528Hz “love frequency” pattern. 528Hz is found in almost every living organism, from human DNA to chlorophyll. Bees buzz, plants vibrate, and even the air we breathe pulses at this frequency. The creation of this piece was the first time I felt a true synthesis of my two worlds, gemology and sound. Bringing this design to life felt like channeling something larger than myself, and it inspired a full collection that continues to grow and expand.
Do you see yourself as keeping jewelry making traditions alive, reinventing them, or creating something entirely new?
A little of all three! I have deep respect for traditional craftsmanship, but I love to reinterpret those methods with a touch of the mystical. My goal is to honor the timelessness of fine jewelry while inviting people to experience it as a healing and meditative art form.
What role does technology play in your design process (e.g., CAD, 3D printing, digita lsketching)?
Technology allows me to bridge the seen and unseen. In my latest collection, I used CAD modeling to bring precise cymatic geometries into form, and sound visualization software to translate frequencies into design patterns. It’s a balance between technical precision and creative intuition.
What values are reflected in your work(responsible sourcing, sustainability, other etc.), andhow do you integrate those values into your collections?
Integrity, consciousness, and connection. I’m mindful about sourcing gemstones responsibly and working with local, trusted artisans who share those values. I also see my jewelry as a way to bring more mindfulness and intention into the world of luxury.
Many younger jewelers emphasize storytelling. What story do you share with your jewelry?
Storytelling is really at the heart of everything I create. Every piece carries meaning, intention, and a connection to life’s moments. Take my Cymatics Collection, for example: it explores how sound takes shape and how vibration organizes matter into intricate, geometric forms. Each frequency produces its own distinct pattern, almost like a fingerprint, and I translate those visual patterns into jewelry. It’s a way to make the invisible beauty of sound tangible.
Similarly, my Candlelight Collection is inspired by the iridescent glow of slowly burning candles, with wax that drips and solidifies into organic forms. The wax captures the night’s events, the memories made, and the words spoken as it was burning, which are then transformed into delicate, wearable jewelry. This bespoke collection is finished using the ancient Korean technique of kuem-boo, gently gilding gold leaf onto sterling silver to reflect the candle’s flame.
My custom jewelry goes hand in hand with this storytelling process as well, working closely with clients allows me to translate their personal experiences, milestones, and memories into pieces that are as meaningful as they are beautiful.
Across all my work, and in some new pieces being released soon, storytelling guides the design. I aim to capture life’s most precious, fleeting moments, the ones that easily go unnoticed, and translate them into jewelry that holds memory, emotion, and intention.
How do your personal identity and background influence your work?
As a certified Sound Meditation facilitator and trained Gemologist, I love blending precision with flow. The Crystal Alchemy bowls I use are infused with gemstones and precious metals, and I curate them not just for their sound frequencies, but for their crystal structures and energetic qualities. My work really lives at the crossroads of sound, science, and design.
What challenges do you face as a younger jeweler entering or navigating the industry?
Breaking into an industry steeped in tradition can be intimidating, especially when your work doesn’t fit a conventional mold. But I’ve learned that authenticity creates its own path. People connect to passion and purpose more than perfection.
How do you balance artistry with the practical demands of running a business?
It’s a dance, truly! I’ve learned to carve out sacred time for creativity while also honoring the structure and organization that sustain the business side. Sometimes that looks like a long hike in the woods, creating a mood board, or sitting with loose gemstones to get my imagination flowing. Then, setting aside specific days to handle the business side that’s less fun, but entirely necessary.
What innovative approaches are you using to reach today’s consumer?
I love creating immersive experiences that go beyond jewelry, combining sound meditations with gemstone education, storytelling, and wellness. It’s a holistic approach that connects people to jewelry on a deeper level. I have an event coming up at the end of October with Gem X, where I will be presenting my Cymatics Collection, giving a brief talk about cymatics, and then leading attendees into a Sound Meditation to bring the inspiration of the collection into a fully immersive experience. I hope to host many more events!
What do you think Gen Z and Millennials are looking for in jewelry today, compared to older generations?
We want meaning, transparency, and emotion. Millennials view jewelry as an extension of identity, not just status. It’s about feeling connected to the story behind each piece.
How do you see the role of jewelry evolving for your generation, adornment, investment, self-expression, or all of the above?
I think for my generation, jewelry has become all of the above; adornment, investment, and self-expression, but in a more intentional and personal way. We’re drawn to pieces that carry meaning, that feel like extensions of who we are rather than just accessories. Jewelry today is as much about emotional and energetic value as it is about beauty or status. It’s something we invest in because it tells where we’ve been, what we believe in, and how we want to show up in the world. Whether it’s a family heirloom, a custom piece, or something that marks a moment of growth, jewelry has evolved into a language of identity.
Do you think social media platforms (Instagram, TikTok, Pinterest) are changing how jewelry is designed, marketed, and sold? How do they affect your business?
Absolutely. Social media allows designers to share the why behind their work, not just the what. It’s not my favorite tool, but I found that when I post my most authentic self, I see the most engagement with my audience.
How have mentorship or peer networks played a role in your career so far?
Mentorship has been vital. I’ve been so fortunate to learn from incredible jewelers and industry leaders. And being part of communities like Gem X and WJA has been such a source of inspiration, collaboration, and friendship. I’ve been an Assistant at Gem X for almost 6 years, leading their membership and helping to plan exclusive events.
Do you collaborate with other designers, artists, or industries to expand your creative practice?
Yes! Collaboration keeps creativity alive, and it’s so fun. I often work with wellness practitioners, sound healers, and artists. I love trying new things.
What role does AI play in your business (if any)?
Right now, AI serves more as a tool for inspiration, helping me visualize or refine certain design concepts. But I’m careful to keep the human, intuitive touch at the center of everything I create. It will be very interesting to see how AI continues to affect the jewelry industry in the future.
What are your hopes for the future of the jewelry industry as more Gen Z and Millennial voices rise to the forefront?
I hope we continue to see a shift toward mindful luxury, and an approach to jewelry that values meaning, connection, and responsibility. To me, mindful luxury is about creating pieces that are intentional in every sense: thoughtfully designed, ethically sourced, and made to last. It’s about understanding where our materials come from, honoring the people and processes behind them, and creating jewelry that carries emotional resonance, not just aesthetic appeal. Jewelry should reflect personal values and deeper purpose, rather than fleeting trends. Mindful luxury invites us to slow down, appreciate craftsmanship, and reconnect with why we wear what we wear, as symbols of self-expression, legacy, and care.
What advice would you give to other young jewelers just starting out?
Stay true to your vision, even when it doesn’t fit the traditional mold. The world doesn’t need another version of what already exists!
If you could redefine or change one thing about the jewelry industry, what would it be?
If I could redefine one thing about the jewelry industry, it would be the way we measure value. For so long, value has been tied almost exclusively to material worth like carat weight, rarity, or market trends. I believe true value also lies in meaning, intention, and connection. Jewelry holds energy, it marks milestones, memories, and emotion. When we expand our idea of value beyond the purely material, jewelry becomes not just something we own, but something that moves us, connects us, and endures.
