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Vickie Riggs of Vickie Riggs Designs – CARLA
“The Soul Within the Stone”: Vickie Riggs on Artistry, Intuition, and Designing Jewelry That Feels Like Home
BY: Founder, VRD | Master Jewelry Designer, Gemologist & Goldsmith | Iconic Visionary in Fine Jewelry & Fashion
Founder, Vickie Riggs Designs | Graduate Jeweler Gemologist (G.J.G) | Award-Winning Artist | Jewelry, Fashion & Design Authority
Preferred backlink: https://www.vickieriggsdesigns.com/
About Vickie Riggs
Vickie Riggs is an accomplished award-winning gemologist and the founder of Vickie Riggs Designs—a fine jewelry brand known for bold, sculptural heirlooms that celebrate nature, movement, and meaning. With a background in graphic design, stained glass, and fine arts, Vickie brings a multidisciplinary approach to her work, transforming rare gemstones and precious metals into intimate works of wearable art. Her pieces are defined not by trend, but by soul—each one crafted to reflect the individuality of the wearer and the quiet power of the Earth itself. Based in California and educated at the Gemological Institute of America, she continues to push boundaries in sustainable luxury, artisan craftsmanship, and emotionally resonant design.
Jewelry isn’t just something you wear. For Vickie Riggs, it’s something you feel. An accomplished goldsmith, award-winning gemologist, and lifelong artist, Vickie doesn’t chase trends or mass-market ideals—she channels nature, memory, and emotion into sculptural heirlooms meant to move the spirit. In this rare and intimate conversation, the founder of Vickie Riggs Designs shares how she infuses heart into every piece, why younger generations are gravitating toward meaningful design, and what it means to live—and create—with intention.
- Your designs are often described as heirlooms in the making. What does “timeless” really mean to you in today’s culture of constant change?
Timelessness, for me, is deeply personal. It’s not about being safe or neutral—it’s about resonance. A piece is timeless when it still speaks, years from now, because it was created with authenticity. I don’t sit down and ask, “What’s in style?” I let the stone lead me. Its shape, its fire, its rawness—those are the beginning of the story. The design becomes a way to honor that story, not override it. Trends pass, but beauty born from nature and intention—that lingers.
- We’re seeing Gen Z rewrite the definition of luxury. How do your designs align with that shift?
What I love about this generation is their honesty. They’re not just consumers—they’re curators. They ask deeper questions: Where did this come from? Who made it? What does it represent? My designs aren’t about prestige for prestige’s sake—they’re about connection. When a young collector chooses one of my pieces, I know they’re not looking for something to show off. They’re looking for something to keep. To treasure. That’s the greatest compliment.
- Your work is often called ‘wearable sculpture.’ Do you begin with a vision for the piece, or the person who might wear it?
That’s such a beautiful question. I begin with a sense of reverence—for the stone, for the natural material, for the process itself. Often, I’ll be struck by a gem’s color, its inclusion, or the way it feels in my hand, and suddenly I can see the form it wants to take. But even as I work, I always think about the person it’s meant to find. Because I do believe jewelry finds its person, not the other way around. And when that match happens—when someone puts it on and says, “This feels like me”—there’s a quiet magic in that.
- Your journey into jewelry wasn’t traditional. Has that shaped your perspective as a designer?
Absolutely. I didn’t come up through the jewelry industry. My early life was rooted in art—graphic design, stained glass, running a branding agency. Those experiences taught me how to communicate visually, how to follow intuition, and how to solve design problems in creative ways. Jewelry entered my life later, and with it came this profound sense of purpose. Here was this medium where nature and storytelling and fine art could all meet. I didn’t set out to rebel against fast fashion or mass production—but I guess I did, by following my own voice instead.
- There’s movement in your pieces—organic, sensual, bold. What do you want someone to feel when they wear one?
I want them to feel seen. I want them to feel like their inner landscape—their spirit, their memories, their complexity—is reflected in something beautiful. I move a lot when I design—I literally walk around the studio holding pieces, turning them in light, feeling how they might move with someone. When a piece flows with the body and sparks emotion, I know it’s ready. Jewelry should never be passive. It should invite you in.
- Which eras or icons have left a lasting imprint on your aesthetic?
I’m deeply drawn to the elegance of Art Deco and the lyrical lines of Art Nouveau. I’ve always had a passion for architecture—especially the decorative flourishes on historic buildings. There’s romance and rhythm in those details, and I think that shows up in my work. But I also carry the influence of my graphic design roots—there’s a geometry and restraint that balances the softness. It’s the dance between curve and edge that excites me.
- Modern shoppers are educated and intentional. How has that impacted your approach to sourcing and pricing?
It’s a balance between honoring the artistic impulse and respecting the realities of materials. Gold prices are incredibly high right now, and I’ve found that introducing silver—especially with gold accents—offers both beauty and accessibility. Silver isn’t a compromise; it’s luminous in its own right. And using two-tone metals adds versatility, which makes a piece more wearable, more lived in. I’m also committed to ethical sourcing and working with lapidary artists who share my values. It matters to me—and it matters to the people who wear my work.
- How do you explain the value of investing in a bold, artisan piece over fast fashion jewelry?
It’s the difference between noise and music. A single, well-crafted piece has the power to transform how you see yourself. It becomes part of your story. Wearing trends is easy—but choosing something that challenges you to express your soul? That’s powerful. I often ask: are you willing to step out of the safe zone to truly be seen? That one bold choice can change everything—not just your wardrobe, but your relationship with yourself.
- Your clientele is diverse—from emerging creatives to seasoned collectors. What do they all have in common?
They listen to their instincts. They’re people who don’t need validation to make a meaningful choice. Whether they’re quiet or expressive, they all respond to beauty with emotion. They feel it in their bodies. That tells me we’re speaking the same language—even without words.
- You recently discovered that a 16-year-old star chose your pieces independently. What did that moment mean to you?
It took my breath away. My work isn’t designed with age in mind—it’s designed from the heart. To know that someone so young responded to it on a visceral level—it affirmed that art has no boundaries. That beauty, when it’s real, transcends marketing demographics. I hope it means we’re entering a time when young people want to express who they are rather than mimic what’s expected. If I can be part of that journey, even in a small way, I’m honored.
- Gen Z is often mischaracterized as fast fashion loyalists, but many are choosing purpose over quantity. Why do you think they’re drawn to your work?
Because they value meaning. They’re conscious of the impact of their choices—on the environment, on their identity, on their legacy. My pieces aren’t disposable. They’re crafted to last, to evolve, to be worn with intention. I think that resonates with this generation’s desire to live more mindfully and expressively. They’re curating lives, not just outfits.
- What does it say about a young person who boldly wears sculptural jewelry like yours?\
It says they know who they are—or they’re unafraid to find out. That kind of confidence is rare at any age. I’m encouraged and inspired by it. I hope it becomes more common.
- Despite not chasing trends, your work is embraced by tastemakers. What’s your secret to timeless relevance?
I create from instinct, not algorithms. That may sound romantic, but it’s true. I trust that when something is made with care, clarity, and authenticity, it will find its audience—whether today or years from now. My husband, who was a pastor, once told me when I worried about pursuing art over activism: “Vickie, the world needs art. It harmonizes our souls.” That’s stayed with me. The world doesn’t need more noise. It needs more beauty.
14, What does it affirm when someone—especially someone young—wears your work like it was made for them?
It reminds me that good design is ageless, and that emotional resonance knows no demographic. I don’t create for accolades. I create because I want to share the incredible beauty that already exists in the Earth. When someone sees that, feels it, and chooses to wear it close to their body—it’s not just affirming. It’s sacred.
Explore the full collection of Vickie Riggs Designs at vickieriggsdesigns.com and follow her artistic journey at @vickieriggsdesigns. Each piece is crafted to move the soul, honor the Earth, and last a lifetime. For press inquiries please contact The JKO Agency, LLC. at jessica@thejkoagency.com.
