HANDCRAFTED FINE JEWELRY
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MASTER GOLDSMITH IN NYC
A BRAND IN THREE ACTS
ACT I: METAL
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The preservation of historical metalsmithing remains a core value of the brand.
ACT II: FIRE
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With an abundance of creative fire we bring together ethically sourced gemstones and precious metal to forge dreams into reality.
ACT III: LOVE
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Combining history and sentimentality, Donna Distefano has has channeled love into an unforgettable story told by the hands of a true goldsmith.
History & ResponsibilityEstablished in New York City in 1994, Donna Distefano Ltd. creates exquisite fine jewelry and objects that celebrate the events of a lifetime while respecting the earth and its people.
We handcraft our jewelry from the world’s finest responsibly-sourced diamonds and gemstones — worthy of royalty but available to all who covet exceptional craftsmanship. Using ancient metalsmithing techniques combined with inspiration from poetry, paintings, and world history, Donna Distefano creates an inherently glamorous story.
“Donna has been recycling, or re-purposing clients’ own gold and gemstones since the inception of her company. She has also been tracing the source of 24k casting grain and other metals since the beginning, and similarly, has been seeking traceable gemstones. ”
“History is told through handmade jewelry.”
ABOUT DONNAArtist and master goldsmith Donna Distefano Thomas was born in the Bronx, New York and has spent her lifetime between New York City, Italy and Connecticut. She is a citizen of Italy and the United States.
As the founder of Donna Distefano Ltd in New York City in 1994, Donna has made it her mission to keep ancient metalsmithing history and techniques alive. From 1989-1994 she was Senior Goldsmith for The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Donna holds an Associate’s Degree of Applied Science from The Fashion Institute of Technology 1980–1982. Prior she studied at the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut while still in high school focusing on the arts and jewelry design.
Donna is an independent scholar on the writing of Dante Alighieri beginning her Dante studies at Hunter College 1988, The University of Urbino, Italy 1989 and in La Sapienza University of Rome 1991. Her research continues to present day as she is an active member of The Dante Society of America.
Notable collaborations include co-brands with legendary rock groups, Aerosmith and the Hollywood Vampires, and in 2018 a co-brand with The Metropolitan Museum of Art in celebration of Met Heavenly Bodies.
Museum exhibitions of her ring entitled “The Love that moves the sun and the other stars” include the Tellus Science Museum, Cartersville, Georgia 2020-21, The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburg 2015, and The Forbes Galleries, New York City, 2013.
A recognized expert in the jewelry industry, Distefano has been a featured lecturer for the Gemological Institute of America at the National Arts Club in New York City. She was named "Best of New York" by New York Magazine in 2010. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, InStyle, Town & Country, Gotham, Interview, British GQ, Glamour, and Brides magazines among others. She is favored by top fashion editors, as well as stylists from NBC, CBS, Fox Network, and FX, among others.
