Vickie honors the beauty of Mother Nature in each piece she creates. Stirred by America’s treasures—whether the roaring geysers of Yellowstone National Park, the magnificent mineral formations of the Carlsbad Caverns, or the majestic Rocky Mountains—Vickie’s designs take root in elements of the earth. She starts with a particularly unique stone, such as a beautifully patterned leopard-like jasper or an iridescent abalone shell. She then designs around its shape, form, color, and dimensions, also integrating balance and an element of surprise. Using only the finest materials from around the world, including glittering drusies, rich Tahitian pearls, boulder opals, or elegantly-cut gemstones, the result is extraordinary, wearable works of art.

Vickie Riggs has always made dramatic, surprising statements with her art. Her early pieces included drawings of flat Midwestern plains—with mountains placed in the middle of them, and a re-creation of Paris around her high school’s gymnasium. Now, it’s her jewelry that makes a statement: Her one-of-a-kind jewelry designs are defined by extraordinary gemstones, unusual cuts, dazzling carvings, and eclectic materials. The result is elegant, striking jewelry—a small wearable sculpture in its own right.

Vickie’s path began with a fine arts degree, followed by a career in graphic design. Then, with extensive art experience but little business background, she started her own ad agency—both demonstrating her natural penchant for being bold and reaching the pinnacle in her field.

Ever drawn back to the fine arts, Vickie left advertising and began working in three dimensional mediums. She mastered the design and fabrication of stained glass and created custom pieces both for churches and individuals. When she began goldsmithing, she knew she had found her niche. This work combined her love of three dimensional design, soldering metals, and creating her art using the gifts from Mother Nature. Since 1999, Vickie has focused exclusively on gemstones and precious metals to create heirloom-quality pieces.

Vickie has a BA in fine art and is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), with diplomas in jewelry design, gemology, and jewelry manufacturing. She is an award-winning designer and a member of the prestigious Contemporary Design Group, an exclusive national jewelry organization that is committed to the highest standards in business and design. She is a board member of the Women’s Jewelry Association and editor of the San Diego chapter’s newsletter. Vickie also holds membership in the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America, Society of North American Goldsmiths, and GIA Alumni Association.

A professional artist throughout her working career, Vickie has cultivated her talent to see possibilities that often escape the notice of others. She creates eye-catching custom designs, integrating the ideas—and often the treasured keepsakes—of her clients into just the right piece for just the right occasion. With that same eye she seeks out eclectic materials and dazzling gemstone carvings elegantly sculpted by award-winning cutters. In each case she integrates the tastes of her clients, discovering unimagined possibilities. And the client gets a modern yet timeless treasure, a piece to be passed on from generation to generation.

Copyright 2005 © Vickie Riggs. All rights reserved. | Site Design