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…

CARO VILLA JEWELS: REDEFINING REFINEMENT

Carolyn Villa Fulton, Founder

Instagram: @carovillajewels

Carolyn Villa Fulton considers jewellery to be an exercise in quiet precision. Her pieces are not about excess but equilibrium, meticulously proportioned designs that marry strength and softness, architecture and intimacy. “I’ve always been drawn to balance,” she observed. “Whether in a building’s curve, a photograph’s light, or the line of a ring, beauty lies in restraint.”

Born and raised in Geneva, Switzerland, Ms Villa Fulton’s earliest memories are of gazing into watch-shop windows and studying auction catalogues, circling her favourites with a child’s fierce conviction. “My parents weren’t collectors,” she remembered. “The pull toward jewellery was entirely my own.” That fascination led her, years later, to London, where she joined the celebrated Glenn Spiro Atelier in 2017, a move that would prove formative. “Working there was exhilarating and demanding in equal measure,” she said. “I learned craftsmanship, judgment and the discipline that fine jewellery demands.” As her experience grew, so did private commissions. “Friends began asking me to design engagement rings. Evenings filled up, and soon I was busier after hours than during the day.” In 2023 she took the leap, founding Caro Villa Jewels to bring her refined design language to life.

Can you share your journey into jewelry, and what first inspired you to become a jeweler or designer?

My professional path into the jewelry world began in 2017 at the Glenn Spiro Atelier in London.
Growing up in Geneva, I was surrounded by jewelry and watches—family friends in the trade, auction windows on busy sale days. As a child, I’d love reading the auction catalogues at home, circling favorites and crossing out others, then revisiting my “edits” the next day. My parents weren’t buyers and didn’t work in the industry; the pull was mine alone. I remember going to bed convinced that one day I would create beautiful jewelry.

Nearly two decades later I met Mr Spiro in his London atelier and knew, instantly, that this was where I wanted – and needed – to be. Working for such an internationally acclaimed high-jewelry house was exhilarating and demanding in equal measure: many highs, lows with plenty of stress, and absolutely worth it. I gained more than I could have hoped – skills, judgement, and a deep understanding of the industry – for which I will always be profoundly grateful. Friends began asking me to design their engagement rings. About five years in, commissions grew, my evenings filled, and I found myself “too busy” for the day job. From there the move to build my own name was organic and gradual, and I committed fully when I set out independently at the end of 2023.

How is your generation’s (Millennial/Gen Z) perspective reflected in how you design or run your business?

I run the studio person-to-person, ideally face-to-face. Approachability and trust come first-especially for something as personal as an engagement ring. Clients should understand my values and how I see the world before we confirm a project. My generation came of age at the start of the digital boom, so I blend intimate, bespoke service with modern tools: transparent communication, clear pricing, remote consultations when needed, and thoughtful process sharing rather than performative gloss. Designing for an online audience is easy; designing for people you know—and hope to know for years—demands integrity, care, and work that stands up to real life.

Who or what are some of your biggest creative influences?

I’m constantly inspired by architecture, sculpture, and natural symmetry — forms that feel intentional and organic. Jean Schlumberger’s imagination, Elsa Peretti’s purity of line, and Glenn Spiro’s fearlessness in craftsmanship along with the array of materials used, have all shaped my eye. Beyond jewelry. I’m also drawn to darkroom photography, and the way light interacts with space; ultimately, any art form is all about balance, proportion, and restraint. 

How would you describe your design aesthetic in three words?

Neoclassical. Refined. Timeless.

Describe a new collection you’re working on and the story behind it.

“Solace” is a capsule collection of everyday heirlooms: quietly bold and wearable. It was born during a season of big changes in my life and is inspired by the calm, anchoring forms I kept sketching: oval and round silhouettes, protective halos, and rhythmic pavé. Stones are set low and close to the skin; settings are softly domed for comfort; and proportions are architectural. It will be launched Q1 2026, so stay tuned! The word “Solace” is meant to be pieces designed to feel calming, protective, and reassuring—soft profiles, close-to-skin settings.

What is a jewelry piece you designed that has a particularly meaningful story for you?

A heirloom was redesigned for an engagement ring. We transformed his late mother’s well-loved diamond ring into a modern piece for his fiancée: a platinum split-shank setting with pavé diamonds along the shank and a 3-carat marquise as the center stone—honoring her legacy while beginning theirs.

Do you see yourself as keeping traditions alive, reinventing them, or creating something entirely new?

All three, in balance. I obsess over traditional hand skills and proportions, but I’m happy to question conventions – lower settings, softer profiles, unexpected stone cuts and new materials for pieces to suit modern life. The aim is new, but with a lineage.

What role does technology play in your design process (e.g., CAD, 3D printing, digital sketching)?

I begin by hand sketches on an iPad, then sometimes carve into wax to determine actual scale on the body, then move into CAD for precision and iterations. We use 3D‑printed resin for try‑ons when scale matters, and every piece is ultimately hand‑made and hand‑set by craftspeople. Technology supports the craft; it doesn’t replace it. 

What values are reflected in your work, and how do you integrate them into your collections?

Trust and integrity sit at the center of everything I do. I prioritize natural diamonds and colored gemstones, use recycled gold when clients request it, and provide transparent specifications and certifications for every piece. Small-batch, bench-led production keeps quality high and waste low. My bespoke engagement work is the purest expression of that trust. Clients place their confidence in me before a piece exists, so I earn it through clear communication, honest pricing, meticulous documentation, and thorough aftercare. If you live your values consistently, they show – no performance required.

Many younger jewelers emphasize storytelling. What story do you share with your jewelry?

Each piece is a chapter in the client’s story—milestones, promises, private symbols. My role is to translate those moments into forms that will live beautifully for decades. The aim is longevity: low profiles for daily wear, hand-finished details for tactility, proportions that age gracefully. I call it ‘bespoke treasures, crafted with trust and integrity.

How does your personal identity and background influence your work?

I was born and raised in Geneva and trained in London, so I’m equally drawn to quiet refinement as well as bold, and statement pieces from a city of energy. Years spent on bespoke atelier work with Glenn Spiro taught me to listen closely and fit design to a person’s life, not the other way around. My style has evolved, become more sophisticated over the years due to my experiences, friendships and travels that all influence one’s way of thinking.

What challenges do you face as a younger jeweler entering or navigating the industry?

Access to exceptional stones in small quantities, communicating true craftsmanship in a fast‑scroll world, and growing sustainably without compromising hand‑made quality. I address this with deep vendor relationships, clear education for clients, and a strict cap on yearly output. The internet rewards “more, faster,” but that model isn’t compatible with the way I work. Fine jewelry demands expertise, an eye for beauty, and the discipline to recognize the truly magnificent—and that takes time and experience. Having seen the most magnificent gems in the world, I am slowly (but not yet fully) gaining that expertise. As I always say: nothing great happens in a rush.

How do you balance artistry with the practical demands of running a business?

By setting constraints: limited annual pieces, and a very strict work ethic. I price transparently, document each stage, and leave room for design creativity only where it won’t jeopardize deadlines or durability. Switching between “creative” and “business” modes is the hardest part – especially when both are required on the same day. Creativity doesn’t just spring up between 9am-5pm; some ideas arrive in an hour, others take weeks -yet a client may expect an answer by Friday as if inspiration were an Excel formula. The solution is structure! Managing the client is the most tactical part of my job. Over time I’ve learned that complete openness – sharing options, constraints, and trade-offs in real time sets the right expectations and preserves trust, while still giving creativity room to do its best work.

What innovative approaches are you using to reach today’s consumer?

All my clients have been word-of-mouth recommendations from friends all across the world – so far. I offer private face-to-face meetings with clients (not so innovative, but something most don’t do anymore!), along with remote design consultation for international clients. I provide a process‑driven approach where I do not start buying stones or making a mount until the exact stone and mount – and budget – are confirmed. I also offer resin try‑ons prior to confirming a project to all who deem it necessary.

What do you think Gen Z and Millennials are looking for in jewelry today, compared to older generations?

Authenticity and proof: traceability, natural materials, and pieces that feel personal rather than generic. They value versatility—day‑to‑night wear—and are open to genderfluid styling along mixing of materials and colors.

How do you see the role of jewelry evolving for your generation? Any major shifts?

Jewelry is increasingly about self‑expression first, with investment value as a welcome by‑product. Clients expect heirloom quality but demand everyday comfort and low‑profile settings that suit real life.

Are social platforms changing how jewelry is designed, marketed, and sold? How do they affect your business?

Yes—social shortens education cycles and rewards honesty. Behind‑the‑scenes content builds trust far better than polished ads. I share process and material choices openly; for now new clients find me through personal word-of-mouth referrals amplified by my Instagram page.

How have mentorship or peer networks played a role in your career so far?

Mentorship in the Glenn Spiro atelier taught me judgement and patience—what to change, what to keep, and when to stop. It applied to everything: caring for clients, navigating manufacture, even staying calm when a FedEx parcel stalled at customs. The jewelry we made at Glenn Spiro more often than not, took years to realize; witnessing an idea germinate, debating every technical step, and finally seeing the piece sell was the greatest lesson of all – patience. My time there also taught me the importance of going above and beyond for a client and not just settling for what they ask. Thinking of new and improved ways that will make that client extremely happy – and proud – with their choice of designer. Being pushed to my limits taught me a lot about myself and how I want to run my business, as the saying goes: “A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”. 

My peer jewellers many now close friends are constant sounding boards. We trade insight on stone sources, techniques, new makers, and even the unglamorous bits—legal, accounting, and the pitfalls to avoid. I’m also proud to be part of the Young Diamantaires, where daily conversations spark ideas and learning. That community has opened new ways of thinking—and trading—I never imagined could be this rewarding, collaborative and fun.

Do you collaborate with other designers, artists, or industries?

I collaborate across disciplines, working closely with specialist engravers and stonecutters. I haven’t yet undertaken a formal co-design with other designers or artists, but it’s firmly on my roadmap for the next few years, when the right brief and partner align.

What role does AI play in your business (if any)?

Light‑touch as I am not the most familiar with it (yet!). I’m more old-school—jewelry is a tactile discipline, and replacing the physical with the digital doesn’t come naturally to me. I use it to create mood-boards, or for drafting care guides to each client for their piece. Design decisions stay human and tactile – eyes, hands, loupe.

Hopes for the future of the industry as more Gen Z and Millennial voices rise?

Radical transparency on sourcing, fair pay for craft, and less trend churn. I’d love to see longevity become the trend – pieces designed to be repaired, resized, and passed on. I’m not an advocate for lab-grown diamonds. Not out of fashion snobbery, but because my passion is the gemology of the natural world: the geological time, the inclusions that tell a stone’s story, the rarity that emphasize heirloom value. I’ll always educate clients neutrally and help them make an informed choice, but my own practice is centered on natural gems that earn their place in a family’s history, whether big or small.

What advice would you give to other young jewelers just starting out?

Photograph everything. Price for business sustainability, not just survival, and not for vanity margins. Find your signature look and protect your client’s trust like it’s your most valuable stone.

If you could redefine or change one thing about the industry, what would it be?

This industry earned its reputation for opacity – mystery pricing, vague provenance, “trust me” salesmanship. Ending that isn’t enough; we also must correct the public’s long-held skepticism. Change is already underway, but rewiring expectations, on both sides of the counter, will take time. It may span generations, and that’s precisely why we need verifiable standards now, not slogans. Clear standardized disclosures on materials, treatments, sourcing, and labor should be the norm. Transparency doesn’t just rebuild trust with clients; it dignifies the craft and holds all of us to a higher standard.