Since Faye Kim first took up her goldsmith tools, she’s amassed a shelf full of awards, established a reputation for producing highly wearable, heirloom-quality jewels and acquired a devoted following of collectors, many of whom have purchased her work from the beginning.
As an undergrad, Kim dutifully pursued an economics degree to meet the expectations of her immigrant parents, and she worked for her father’s accounting office for a time. But she quickly found herself “restless,” she says, yearning to do something more creative.
Kim’s mother, having always supported her daughter’s creativity, encouraged her to attend the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in New York as a way to address her impulse for change.
As a newly minted graduate, Kim hopscotched from a job at a jewelry wholesaler to become a pearl buyer for Tiffany & Co. She eventually became a jewelry buyer at the luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman, where she was exposed to the work of modern masters like Angela Cummings and Barry Kielselstein-Cord and to antique treasures from Kentshire.
Kim enrolled in classes as a hobby. The process enthralled her. “I loved being at the bench. I could sit there for hours on end,” she says. “I fell in love with the granulation process and making everything by hand.”
Kim immediately gravitated to working with 18-karat gold, especially in an alloy with a subtle green cast. When she decided to return to work, in 2003, she opened an eponymous boutique in downtown Westport, Connecticut, a bedroom community outside New York City, and it became her livelihood.
Kim established her stylistic signatures early on. Single pieces are weighty enough to hold their own but not too big to stack with others for a more imposing look, modern silhouettes are combined with old-world techniques like granulation and bezel setting, and virtually everything bearing her name is made entirely by artisans in her studio.
Sizable dome rings are much loved. And a stack composed of a gemstone ring flanked by gold bands is another mainstay for Kim’s true believers. Earrings dangling perfectly proportioned baroque-pearl or diamond drops that softly sway from hinged mountings are bestsellers.
Today, Kim is setting the groundwork for focusing on designs that challenge and excite her.
Find Faye Kim jewelry on 1stDibs.
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold Paraiba Tourmaline and Diamond Cluster Stud Earrings
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold Stud Earrings set with brilliant Paraiba Tourmalines and White Diamonds. Diamonds .03 Carats tcw Diameter .312" Handmade in the USA
Tourmaline, Paraiba, 18k Gold, Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold Sleeping Beauty Triple Turquoise Diamond Drops
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Faye Kim's 18 Karat Gold Triple Turquoise Diamond Drops feature three bezel-set brightly hued turquoise stones and one round center diamond per drop. These earrings, shown on Faye's ...
Diamond, Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Bezel Earrings with Gold Bar
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Faye Kim 18k Gold Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Bezel Earrings with Gold Bar 17mm x 15 mm
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold Turquoise Granulation Drops
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Faye Kim's 18 Karat Gold Turquoise Granulation Drops offer a versatile and stylish addition to any jewelry collection. The drops can be worn on many of Faye's hoops, sold separately....
Turquoise, Gold, 18k Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold Triple Diamond Stud Earrings, .77 ctw
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Triple Diamond earrings in 18k gold with a matte finish by Faye Kim. Classic and timeless! Diamonds .77 ctw Diameter .3" Handmade in the USA
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Faye Kim 18 Karat Gold Diamond Granulation Bar Stud Earrings
By Faye Kim
Located in Darien, CT
Faye Kim's classic yet modern 18 Karat Gold Diamond Granulation Bar Studs are perfect for everyday wear or when you need just a little touch of sparkle. Understated and elegant with ...
Diamond, Gold, 18k Gold
Syna Yellow Gold Turquoise Earrings with Diamonds
By Syna Jewels
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Created in 18 karat yellow gold Turquoise 4 carats approx. Diamonds 0.25 carat approx. Limited edition Exquisite and rare, our limited edition Candy Blue Topaz and Moon Quartz earri...
Diamond, Brown Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Nina Zhou Celestial 8.12 ctw Turquoise & Diamond Cluster Earrings
By Nina Zhou
Located in Newport Beach, CA
Discover Nina Zhou Celestial 8.12 ctw Turquoise & Diamond Cluster Earrings in Yellow Gold. These stunning earrings feature an enchanting combination of vibrant turquoise cabochons and delicate diamonds, arranged in a celestial-inspired pattern that radiates timeless elegance. The rich blue of the turquoise stones evokes the calm of the sky and sea, while the diamond accents add a brilliant touch of sparkle, reminiscent of twinkling stars. The circular arrangement of the gemstones creates a bold yet graceful design, making these earrings the perfect statement piece for any occasion. Set in luxurious yellow gold, these earrings are as durable as they are beautiful, ensuring they remain a treasured addition to your jewelry collection for years to come. Whether you're dressing for a formal event or looking to add a pop of color to your everyday style, Nina Zhou's Celestial Turquoise Diamond Earrings are the ideal choice. Elevate your look with these mesmerizing earrings, a perfect blend of natural beauty and modern sophistication. 14K Yellow Gold 12 pieces 5 x 5 mm Natural Turquoise｜Round｜Eye Clean 2 pieces 5 x 7 mm Natural Turquoise｜Round｜Eye Clean Turquoise CTW: 8.00 Natural Diamond Grade: G Color｜VS Clarity Diamond CTW: 0.12 Measurements: 3/4 '' Length｜1/2 '' Width Beautiful Packaging & Safe Shipping: Every piece of jewelry arrives in a gorgeous gift box, perfect for treating yourself or a loved one. Unwrapping should feel just as special as the piece inside! We ship with care using secure, trackable delivery, so you can follow your order every step of the way. About Nina Zhou Jewelry...
Diamond, Turquoise, 14k Gold
Syna Yellow Gold Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Studs with Diamonds
By Syna Jewels
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Created in 18 karat yellow gold Sleeping beauty turquoise 2 carats approx. Diamonds 0.05 carat approx. Post backs for pierced ears Limited edition Crafted of 18-karat yellow gold, t...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
Contemporary 18K Gold Turquoise & Diamond Flower Stud Earrings
Located in Nantucket, MA
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise in an oval, cabochon shape in a flower motif with a center brilliant cut diamond set in 18K gold. Post for pierced ears. The fine jewelry collection is so...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold
Syna Yellow Gold Earrings with Turquoise and Diamonds
By Syna Jewels
Located in Fort Lee, NJ
Created in 18 karat yellow gold Sleeping Beauty Turquoise 5.50 carats approx. Diamonds 1 carat approx. Omega clip-backs & posts Limited Edition Crafted from 18 karat yellow gold...
Diamond, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
1.04ct Turquoise & Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Stud Earrings
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Add a touch of elegance to your collection with these Turquoise Diamond 14K Yellow Gold Stud Earrings, crafted in 14K Yellow Gold. Featuring radiant natural diamonds (FCD0.13CT) pair...
14k Gold, Rose Gold, White Gold, Yellow Gold, Platinum
Centering a luminous golden South Sea pearl, this majestic piece is a hot commodity in any season.
Emblems of heartfelt emotion, elegant vessels for photos and keepsakes and perfect for layering, these special ornaments are an essential component of any thoughtfully curated jewelry collection.
