For fine jewelry designer Ali Galgano, finding a way to make her bespoke creations fit today’s more casual lifestyle was in step with her goal of always helping her clients to maximize their jewelry wardrobe.
With Serpentine Jewels’ ready-to-wear collection that debuted earlier this year, Galgano shows she’s earned her reputation for elevating classics while giving women a transformative feeling of power and strength when they put on her jewelry.
“I aim to craft pieces that are not only aesthetically appealing but also imbue the wearer with a newfound confidence,” Galgano says. “We fill a gap in the fine jewelry market by reinterpreting the classics to create heirlooms that are as modern as the women who wear them.”
But let’s be honest: There’s wearing-sweatpants-in-public casual and Ali Galgano casual. Dressing to the occasion for Galgano might mean wearing a fabulous gown while the rest of her family are in T-shirts and jeans. So it follows that her ready-to-wear pieces are covered in diamonds, lavished with saturated colored gemstones, or the blingiest of tennis necklaces.
Jewels with familiar shapes like stars and hearts are offered alongside more dazzling pieces, like the pear diamond snake bangle, which looks like it could charm anyone who encounters it.
“We are known for our bespoke creations, but we also recognized an opportunity to meet our clients’ need for jewelry that is more rapidly available. Our ready-to-wear assortment gives clients that flexibility, while also serving as a jumping off point for future additions,” Galgano says.
As a result, the collection is a true representation of the Serpentine Jewels ethos, Galgano says. “We firmly believe that fine jewelry shouldn’t be limited to traditional design,” she says. “We love to mix diamond cuts, gemstone colors, and use asymmetrical settings to create pieces that are as bright, modern, and expressive as the women who wear them.”
If her casual is someone else’s dressy, that’s okay. Her clients are happy to be a bit extra when they walk into a room.
“For generations and still today, women are typically only receivers of jewelry—on occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays,” Galgano says. “At Serpentine, we like to empower our clients to get in touch with their own personal style and create something that truly reflects who they are.”
After all, she named the company after the serpent, a powerful symbol in and of itself, Galgano says.
“On a symbolic level, just as a serpent sheds its old skin to reveal a new one, we encourage our clients to think of jewelry in a similar way. When you wear a piece of Serpentine jewelry, you embrace your true and sometimes new self,” Galgano says.
“This concept of transformation is also reflected in our physical creations, like the ring and ear jackets we are known for,” Galgano adds. “These modular designs can be worn alone or together for a completely fresh take on an otherwise understated piece. We love the idea that with a jacket, a piece of jewelry isn’t limited to one mood or occasion.”
Within the ready-to-wear collection, Galgano has a few favorites. “I can’t talk about Serpentine without talking about our front-to-back earrings—a true Serpentine staple. Not only is the silhouette flattering on every face shape, but our setting also lies flat for a maximalist, diamond-intensive look that doesn’t get lost behind the ear like a traditional hoop would,” Galgano says. “I also love our rainbow tennis bracelet and our Seeing Stars bangle. These colorful pieces are unlike anything else on the market, and our clients can’t get enough of them.”
Top: The snake wraparound ring ($7,480), with a sense of movement and elegance, is in Serpentine Jewels’ first ready-to-wear collection, which brand founder Ali Galgano unveiled this year. (Photos courtesy of Serpentine Jewels)
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