hi, i’m Laura

The artist and gemologist behind the necklace studio.

And actually, since we’re friends now — you can call me Lala.

I personally select and string each bead for every piece of handcrafted stone jewelry you’ll find here — from our rotating one-of-a-kind options to custom 

I like to say art was my first language — and my family has been speaking it for generations.

My love of self-expression through art began with my grandmother, an artist who chose simple clothing but was never without a strand or two of her favorite gemstone beads. 

I didn’t just love the way they brought color and elegance to her outfits — I loved that I had something distinctive to associate her with, from the mixture of colors to the way the beads softly clicked against each other as she moved about the room, working on paper or a canvas.

When your jewelry tells a story, everything else becomes more meaningful.

As a graphic designer by education and an artist by inheritance, I’ve explored several mediums throughout my life. 

I’ve worked in museums, art galleries, and creative spaces of every kind —but I'll always come back to the feel of a gemstone in my hands and the moment a color combination clicks into place.

Jewelry isn’t just an adornment — it’s an art, a form of communication, and even a source of grounding (as an introvert who finds it settling to fidget with her necklace in social situations).

Whether you’re searching for a necklace that helps even your simplest outfits feel a little more put together or one that represents a specific memory or moment in time: I’d be honored to help you find it here.

I’m often asked about my process for designing necklaces, but I’ll let you in on a secret: I don’t have one.

One of the best parts of my work is traveling the world and searching high and low for my favorite gemstones. As a trained gemologist, I’m examining each one for its color and quality — but as an artist, I’m also envisioning the endless possibilities.

Because each and every piece at The Necklace Studio is hand-crafted from genuine gemstones, no two necklaces are alike — and often, the colors and story speak to me before I even get a chance to sit down at my work table. Sometimes, a piece feels like somewhere I’ve traveled or a season I love — and other times, the inspiration comes from a person (even you, when you opt for a custom gemstone necklace).

My design process may be instinctual and refined over years of studying art, but my technical process has also been perfected. Every necklace is carefully hand-knotted for longevity and durability, and comes with a lifetime restringing guarantee, so you don’t just feel confident in how your necklace makes you feel — you’re confident that you can actually wear it without walking on eggshells.

SHOP MY FAVORITES

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