Christine Huber, GG

The hope of many an artist is that not only will their work be appreciated for its value as art, but that it will endure, passing the test of time. Such hope is found within Christine Huber, the focus of this month’s member spotlight.

In 1997, Christine moved to New York City with her dreams. She enrolled in New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology, and their Jewelry Design program. Her first year at FIT was spent learning the basics: design, sculpting and casting were among her curriculum. Her desire to jump into the industry with both feet led her to her first position, and down the road of experience.

Christine began working in the jewelry business for New York based Alex Sepkus as a bench jeweler. Over two years, Christine worked from the bottom up, describing her duties as, "everything from fetching coffee to polishing platinum for six hours straight". The work wasn’t easy, but left Christine with the feeling that she had paid her dues as an initiate in the trade and when she left, she did so with invaluable experience.

After finishing the Jewelry Design Studio program at FIT, Christine added a Graduate Gemologist degree from GIA’s New York campus. Confident in her new career, Christine signed on with the prestigious and oft awarded Julius Cohen Jeweler, Inc. Christine spent seven years with Julius Cohen, learning from the best and helping to create lasting objet d’art such as a miniature carousel valued at over $200,000. One of the most influential skills Christine acquired while at Julius Cohen was the ability to collaborate with clients in order to create custom pieces of jewelry translated directly from the imagination to the jeweler’s bench.

Years of hard work in the New York jewelry community have given Christine the skills and confidence to open her own company, Christine Huber Design. Christine has worked with clients on custom design projects including engagement rings, and her own Globe Rings, inspired by a friends collection and featured on the runway during NYC Fashion Week 2009. Christine also does freelance design work, and is currently collaborating with the renowned handbag and accessory firm of Etienne Aigner. Above all else for Christine is her goal to design a complete line for boutiques, featuring a fusion of fine and costume jewelry.

When not designing, Christine enjoys spending her time training for marathons, traveling, and has lent her efforts to organizations such as Jewelers That Care and the Jewelry Design Professional’s Network.

The jeweler’s favorite gemstone? Oregon Sunstone

Her favorite cut? The timeless Marquise