Meet the GemLily Designers
Frederic Sage
Frederic Sage’s passion for jewelry began when he was exposed to the industry as a child. His father, an importer of precious gemstones for over forty years, passed many years of expertise on to Frederic. He expanded his knowledge in the industry when he attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where he studied Art History and Textile Design.
Upon graduating, he was given the opportunity to design for a leading textile manufacturer. With a unique perspective and an eye for color, Frederic created designs that were distributed both domestically and internationally. During that time, he traveled to over 50 different countries and lived in major cities such as Milan, Paris, Barcelona and Lisbon. He also expanded his already impressive language skills and became fluent in 8 languages.
He eventually left a successful career in textiles to pursue his childhood dream of designing and creating fine jewelry.
His vast knowledge of the industry makes him a connoisseur in a broad spectrum of jewelry. His collections include natural shell, diamond, and precious gemstone pieces and are a refreshing departure from typical designs.
GemLily Curator and Designer
College-trained in goldsmithing and jewelry design - with further education through the Gemological Institute of America, Susanna polished her knowledge of gemstones.
After apprenticing at the bench and working in Jewelry retail Susanna's career headed toward a publishing track, covering the watch and jewelry category for national magazines such as Bon Appetit, Traditional Home and Variety. Her magazine experience included creating marketing and advertising programs for such varied high-end clients as Bulgari and Gucci, Roberto Coin and Harry Winston.
Keeping up with the trade, she regularly attended important watch and jewelry trade shows, both national and international — from JCK Vegas to the big one in Basel, Switzerland.
Eventually, the passion to be hands-on prevailed and Susanna created GemLily for all the women who, like her, want to express themselves with jewelry that is exceptional, particular, and unique.
Bespoke Jewelry with Zoomorphic Imagery
Artist Henry Elfering found excitement as a young child when he made of pair of copper enameled earrings for his mother. It was not, however, until years later as a successful freelance fashion art director that Henry found his way back to metal taking an evening jewelry course at Parsons School of Design in New York City.
Henry creates complex zoomorphic imagery with his bespoke jewelry. With a belief that all living things are connected through an expression of common experiences, Henry displays images that are not only visually rich in textures and patterns that are found in nature, but also by morphing one living element into another. Henry crafts his jewelry designs by hand, carving in wax, fabricating in metal and directing his designs through a CAD techniques.
This fluidity of concept executed in 18kt gold delivers a balance between timelessness, collectable jewelry and the ultimate statement in modern luxury adornment.
Raymond Mazza Jewelry
The Mazza family jewelry tradition began at the turn of the nineteenth century in Leghorn Italy. Our Ancestors established a fleet of Coral fishing boats and manufactured exquisite hand carved cameo's and coral dating back to 1775.
Louis Mazza brought the business to the U.S around 1909, importing the family stones and selling them to America's finest jewelers. In the late 1960"s the copmany expanded to design and manufacture finshed jewelry.
Today Raymond, and myself Louis Mazza carry on the family tradition. I feel our creations are some of the worlds most unique and vibrant jewelery. We pride ourselves on the personally selected colored stones from around the world. Our craftsmen on hand are second to none and our jewelry is produced here in the United States of America. The Raymond Mazza name is nationally recognized in the jewelry retail industry for our quality and couture designs.
Coral and Cameo Masters
The firm and artisans of Antonino De Simone, SRL a 130 plus year old family business and one of Italy’s oldest, is based in Torre Del Greco – just south of Naples Italy, a quaint seaside town since the 1400’s has been famous for its coral fishing and the artisans who create beautiful jewelry and art from this Mediterranean gem. Today the firm is lead by Gioia De Simone and her cousin Michele Palombia. Employing 25 skilled coral and cameo artisans, some who have been with the company for over 40 years – their methods of creating coral and cameo masterpieces has gone mostly unchanged over the centuries – the creation is mainly a manual activity with little machinery involved and the upmost care and concern for the marine ecosystem is viewed with the highest respect. Coral fishing in the Mediterranean Sea has very strictly controlled guidelines of how much can be harvested and only by expert and licensed divers going down to 150 meters - with set harvest times, size and daily catch limits. Supporting active conservation of the marine ecosystem, Antonino De Simone and their artisans masterpieces from this natural gem will continue to delight many.
Master Diamond Setter and Custom Wedding Band Creations
Harry Gurun began setting stones at the age of 12 under the guidance of his father a master diamond setter with a rich Armenian heritage in the Jewelry industry. Harry has been setting stones now for over 45 years with his shop located in the Diamond district of New York City specializing in one-of-a-kind creations and currently wedding bands with custom diamond applications based on client preference and budget. When not busy at the setting bench Harry is an avid Formula One fan and makes a mean Douzma (Armenian Holiday dish).
"Isn't Nature Beautiful"?
Whether we were in her little flower garden or on a family trip exploring the great out doors. I grew up with a phrase that my mother used all the time,"Isn't nature beautiful"? It resounds in my head and heart when I am out in nature absorbing inspiration and it also echoes within me when I am designing jewelry.
My design approach is a very personal one, and I believe your choice of accessories, particularly jewelry, is equally personal. Showing a glimpse of who you really are and how you express the remarkable adventure of life.
I create my own vision of timeless classics, future heirlooms born today. I've chosen sterling silver, known for its remarkable sheen, excellent quality and lasting presence.