Lola Zyscovich

Artist Bio

I design and hand-make all of my jewelry with regard to comfort and wearability, as well as unique ways to set gems and pearls while catching the light.  Since everything is hand fabricated by me (no casting or outsourcing), I'm able to explore different types of designs ranging from industrial styles that combine geometry and precision including kinetic rivet set gems and pearls, to more organic forms born from hammers and fire and their relation to the nature of the material.  There's a balance of natural and architectural elements in each piece, with each design influencing the next, creating a cohesive collection between the various styles.  Wearability is an important factor in my designs.  I want you to be able to enjoy your jewels without worrying about bits catching on fabric or hair.  I often go for lighter weight designs so they're comfortable for all day wear, especially earrings!  Longevity is also considered, which is why I only use solid metals or wood.  I always harden metals so they shouldn't dent if you accidentally drop them on the bathroom floor, and often protect the gems with their settings.  I want you to be able to enjoy your jewelry for long enough to pass it on to the next generation.

My eco-friendly studio is in my home in San Francisco.  Sustainability and the environment are very important to me, not only for my impact on the surrounding natural areas, but also for my personal health.  This is one reason why you'll never find plated jewelry here, only solid metals that were sourced from mills that use recycled metals and solar power whenever possible.  Many aspects of the conventional jewelry industry are horrible for our planet, creating chemical waste, ruining rivers and ecosystems with mining and using lots of energy.  This is why I only use sustainable or ethical suppliers.  The Ebony wood I use comes from Lacey-Act compliant mills.  New ebony trees are planted for future generations, and the farmers get benefits such as fruit trees, so they have a better life.  Metals are always recycled, plus I keep my scrap for use in other projects, reducing the material sent back to be refined.  I use natural cultured pearls, the oysters and mussels that make them only thrive in clean waters, plus they clean their environment leaving it even nicer than before.  I never drill through pearls and glue them, like most pearl jewelry you'll find.  These are left untouched, which also makes them easier to clean and less likely to chip.  I use both lab-grown gems and natural gems depending on the look I'm going for and the price point.  Lab-grown gems are usually much better for the environment than natural, and in the instance where I do use natural gems they are sourced ethically and have either no treatment or minimal treatment.