Why to work with a designer.

Sketch image with pencil.

Getting a custom design right the first time can be tricky.

We create new, original designs every day for people all over the U.S. and beyond. Our designers specialize in knowing what's possible and suggesting innovative customization options.

You may be unsure of how to estimate the cost of a custom design.

We do a LOT of custom... It's our focus and our passion. To do this, we have to find a way to make each design fit the proposed budget. Check our reviews, we are very proud that over 85% of our clients are referrals.


Weekly Designer Spotlight

Chelsea K
Senior Designer
Online Design Specialist
GIA Diamond Graduate AJP Available for Virtual Consultations
Chelsea was raised in a creative atmosphere in Southern California. She inherited her passion for fine art from her dad who makes surrealist paintings and sculptures, while she attributes her love of fashion to growing up listening to the hum of her mom's sewing machine and watching her rapidly sketch elongated fashion figures. Jewelry as wearable art seemed to her the perfect combination of her interests. She earned her bachelor's degree in fashion merchandising from California State University Long Beach and her Graduate Diamonds and AJP credentials from the Gemological Institute of America. Chelsea worked for five years at Mark Schneider Design where she advanced from apprentice to Design Director. There she designed for the engagement ring and color gemstone jewelry collections, competitions, and custom requests. She has won three design awards: First Place Custom Distinction in the MJSA Vision Awards, a commendation and a First Place in the CPAA International Pearl Design Competition.


Sophia
Design Group Director
Senior Designer | Seattle Studio Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
GIA Graduate Gemologist, GIA AJP. Sophia combines a flair for artistic design and technical expertise in jewelry creation, as well as client vision and taste to produce stunningly beautiful, unique pieces that will light up the room. Sophia has examined and sourced thousands of gemstones, and her experience can both articulate exactly what clients are looking for in a gemstone as well as assess qualities often missed by the naked eye. Throughout her studies in fine arts and metalsmithing at the University of Washington, she developed creative and professional skills that make her an invaluable asset to Green Lake—and a trusted designer to our clients. Sophia is a Graduate Gemologist through the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Sophia is Green Lake's most prolific designer with over 2000 completed custom pieces and literally hundreds of named 5 star reviews from these satisfied clients.


Brant K
Gem Dept. Director
Gemstone Buyer
Designer | Either Studio by appointment Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
As Green Lake’s lead GIA trained diamond buyer, Brant personally seeks out the finest gemstones at the best value for our custom jewelry clients. With over 35 years of experience in jewelry retail, wholesale, and manufacturing, the expertise he brings to the custom design process is immense – and the credibility he lends is sincere. One of the nicest people you'll ever meet, Brant is loved by all his clients as much for his warm heart as his discriminating eye for fine gemstones.


Rebecca P
Senior Designer
Seattle Studio
BFA Jewelry Design | Metalsmithing RISD Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
Rebecca marries her passion for precious metals and gemstones with the fast pace of creating unique and different ideas, all while working within a team of master craftsman on behalf of her clients. After receiving her Bachelor’s of Fine Art in Jewelry Design and Metalsmithing from Rhode Island School of Design, Rebecca spent her early years working with various high-end fine jewelers in Boston. Later, Rebeccca moved to New York City, where she spent a decade designing fashion jewelry for several global brands. With the technical knowledge necessary to design structurally sound pieces and a fashion background in translating drawings into beautiful jewelry, Rebecca can rapidly troubleshoot and create alternate ideas with excellence in communicating a vision.


Brooke C
Designer
Bellevue Studio
Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
Brooke’s professional career actually began in Germany, where she worked as a graphic designer for the Air Force. Eventually she returned to America and relocated to her native state of Georgia. She was hired at a Mom & Pop jewelry store in Atlanta where she learned the ins and outs of the fine jewelry business. Due to her knowledge gained and immense natural talent, she was recruited by a shop in Savannah where she grew in ranks to become sales manager. Thereafter, Brooke found herself working in big-box chains and has continued her jewelry education by completing courses through DCA and The Gemological Institute of America.


Ellen L
Senior Designer
Bellevue Studio
BFA Cornish College of the Arts Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
Ellen grew up right here in Washington. Her artistically enriched childhood was spent surrounded by the natural inspiration of the mountains and water. With constant inspiration around her, it was easy to choose a career in an artistic field. In 2017, Ellen graduated from Cornish College of the Arts, where she received a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design. A lifetime of educational experiences has allowed her to work in a wide variety of mediums. From creating a 3D model of DNA out of stained glass, to designing an app to navigate Seattle's traffic, she has worked hard to build a breadth of knowledge from which to draw from when designing.


Sophie M
Senior Designer
Seattle Studio
Bachelor of Arts, Art History Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
With her background in Art History, Sophie brings a wealth of artistic knowledge and storied motifs to each of her custom designs and the creative process with her clients. Beyond her knowledge of understanding visual culture and art, Sophie trained at Western Washington University to manage museum collections, records of works, and art preservation.


Erich M
Senior Designer
Bellevue Studio
GIA AJP Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
Erich is a freelance illustrator and exhibiting painter who started out as an expatriate living in the heart of Austria, before moving to the United States. His artwork has been exhibited in galleries across the United States, Europe, and Australia. In 2011, he began pursuing a career in fine jewelry, beginning with an AJP certification from the Gemological Institute of America.


Christine D
Designer
Seattle Studio
Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
Christine has been with Green Lake Jewelry Works for over seven years helping guide clients through the ins-and-outs of our custom design process. Christine’s natural rapport with clients makes the experience fun and approachable for anyone new to the world of jewelry. With a passion for collaborative theater, singing, and the art of storytelling, she understands how a custom jewelry design is a perfect match for those passionate about the arts and those with a story to tell. A unique design can not only encapsulate your own personal journey, the entire design process can marry a couple’s creativity in an exciting new way.


Hannah P
Designer
Seattle Studio
GIA Jewelry Design and Technology Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
Hannah is passionate about crafting enduring symbols of commitment for couples in love, taking immense joy in the unveiling of bespoke jewelry that brings unparalleled happiness to recipients! Her expertise extends beyond traditional bridal pieces, encompassing a fervor for distinctive, abstract, symbolic, and personal projects—a perfect fit for Green Lake's diverse jewelry offerings.


Kelly H
Greeter
Kelly brings a fresh perspective and a passion for the jewelry industry. Having recently transitioned from a hospitality career at Marriott hotels and Disney World, she was drawn to the world of jewelry for its ability to signify life’s special moments. Kelly’s enthusiasm for helping create these memories makes her an invaluable asset as a greeter, where she thrives on interacting with clients and watching our skilled designers and jewelers in action.


LaRae F
Greeter
LaRae’s path to the jewelry industry began with a strong foundation in artistry, nurtured by her mother’s own creative pursuits and encouragement. Having worked in her mother's studio for many years, LaRae developed a passion for design and custom work, which led her to pursue a career in jewelry. After starting as a salesperson at a local jewelry store in Arkansas, she quickly fell in love with the creative process and the personal connections made with clients.


Maddie T
Designer
Seattle Studio
GIA AJP Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
Maddie's lifelong adoration for jewelry blossomed from childhood, where her keen eye for accessorizing emerged as soon as she could dress herself. Accompanying her father to jewelry stores for special occasions, she cherished the moments of trying on jewelry, being adorned with pearls, and playfully balancing oversized rings on her fingers. Her love of accessories is not all she brings; she has a diverse blend of education and experience. Graduating from the University of Washington with double majors in Art History and Communications and a GIA Applied Jewelry Professional Degree, she has cultivated a strong foundation for her career.


Marina G
Designer
Seattle Studio
GIA Graduate Gemologist , JDT, AJP Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
Marina is a talented jewelry designer with a passion for creating unique and meaningful pieces. Holding a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, Marina's journey into design began with a focus on enhancing people's experiences through innovative solutions. After completing a diploma in Jewelry Design and Technology from GIA and earning a Graduate Gemology certification, Marina transitioned from a sales associate at a family-owned jewelry business in Chicago to a dedicated jewelry designer. Inspired by the emotional impact of jewelry on customers, Marina finds joy in bringing her customer's visions to life and witnessing their profound reactions to the finished pieces.


Sasha P
Designer
Seattle Studio
GIA Graduate Gemologist, JDT Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
Sasha was practically born into the jewelry industry! Growing up with a mom who was a designer specializing in pearl jewelry, she naturally developed a deep love for all things bejeweled. Her path took an interesting turn in her college days, when she started buying and selling vintage gold jewelry. This ignited a passion that led Sasha to the prestigious Gemological Institute Of America, where she dove into the intricate world of Gemology and Jewelry Design and Technology. But for Sasha, jewelry isn't just a job; it's her life! She loves collecting unique custom and vintage pieces, and mixing and matching metals and gemstones. To her, jewelry is meant to be fun! It’s a way to express yourself and show off your personality and style.


Britt G
Designer & CAD Modeler
Bellevue Studio
BFA Jewelry Design | Metalsmithing Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
Britt is a seasoned custom jewelry designer and CAD modeler with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jewelry Design and Metalsmithing from UGA. With over a decade of experience in the jewelry industry, including many years dedicated to CAD work, Britt brings a wealth of expertise to her craft. Initially drawn to jewelry by the allure of the beautiful materials and creative possibilities, Britt’s well-rounded experience allows her to seamlessly integrate her foundational knowledge of benchwork, Matrix/Rhino CAD training, and keen eye to ensure her creations are not only beautiful but also structurally sound.


Vinh K
Growth & Development Coordinator
Senior Designer Diamond Specialist Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
A graduate of the University of Houston with a career in finance, Vinh eventually found the kind of services he tailored within banking didn’t provide for the same creative thrill he discovered in designing tattoos for friends – and eventually in one-of-a-kind jewelry. He left a world of analytics in pursuit of artistry, finding at Green Lake an opportunity to create personal pieces that will be with his clients for a lifetime. He brings to his work a critical eye and keen ability to adapt to individual preferences, providing for stunning objects reflective of their owner’s unique style.


Pia G
Merchandising Director
Non-Bridal Buyer Available for in-studio and virtual consultations
A distinguished designer, Pia comes to Green Lake by way of Italy, the United Kingdom and New York – where she’s been creating, purchasing, and purveying fine jewelry for nearly twenty years. Having formally studied jewelry and production in Torino and modern techniques in 3D design at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Pia brings both artistry and acumen to the custom ring experience. From big projects (like managing an international collection and developing brands reached by millions) to more personal assignments (like designing a new heirloom with her clients), Pia approaches each new challenge with enthusiasm and a deep understanding of her craft.