ABOUT ADAM NEELEY
ABOUT
ADAM NEELEY
For more than 20 years, California-based jewelry designer, gemologist, and goldsmith, Adam Neeley has established a reputation for crafting jewelry of unparalleled artistry and design. Neeley’s innovative spirit and fiery creativity, combined with technical mastery, has garnered numerous major design awards as well as the attention of museums and elite collectors.
For more than 20 years, California-based jewelry designer, gemologist, and goldsmith, Adam Neeley has established a reputation for crafting jewelry of unparalleled artistry and design. Neeley’s innovative spirit and fiery creativity, combined with technical mastery, has garnered numerous major design awards as well as the attention of museums and elite collectors.
Daryl Hannah
Adam, age 14, with actress Daryl Hanna at his first art show in Telluide, CO.
FORMATIVE YEARS
As a Colorado native, Neeley’s curiosity for geology and gemstones flourished in a naturally rich and inspiring mountain setting. Years of rock collecting and stone cutting progressed into jewelry making and by age 14, Neeley was presenting his jewelry at art shows from Aspen to Telluride. After graduating high school, he bolstered years of jewelry-making experience with a degree from GIA, an apprenticeship with Italian Master Goldsmith, further design studies in Florence, Italy and platinum-smithing studies in New York City. In 2006, Neeley founded his flagship jewelry atelier in Laguna Beach, CA.
Rings of Saturn Pendant
Adam's first award winning piece, age 17.
Daryl Hannah
Adam, age 14, with actress Daryl Hanna at his first art show in Telluride, CO.
FORMATIVE YEARS
As a Colorado native, Neeley’s curiosity for geology and gemstones flourished in a naturally rich and inspiring mountain setting. Years of rock collecting and stone cutting progressed into jewelry making and by age 14, Neeley was presenting his jewelry at art shows from Aspen to Telluride. After graduating high school, he bolstered years of jewelry-making experience with a degree from GIA, an apprenticeship with Italian Master Goldsmith, further design studies in Florence, Italy and platinum-smithing studies in New York City. In 2006, Neeley founded his flagship jewelry atelier in Laguna Beach, CA.
RINGS OF SATURN PENDANT
Adam's first award winning piece, age 17.
FIORE DEL MARE RING
Tahitian Pearl Trophy
DESIGN AESTHETIC
Neeley’s design aesthetic highlights extraordinary gemstones within graceful, modern forms. His exquisite craftsmanship includes distinctive suspension mounts and award-winning laser construction. As a Graduate Gemologist of GIA, Neeley has proven gemstone expertise and a style which celebrates unique specimens, expertly cut gems, and rare stones.
DESIGN AESTHETIC
Neeley’s design aesthetic highlights extraordinary gemstones within graceful, modern forms. His exquisite craftsmanship includes distinctive suspension mounts and award-winning laser construction. As a Graduate Gemologist of GIA, Neeley has proven gemstone expertise and a style which celebrates unique specimens, expertly cut gems, and rare stones.
FIORE DEL MARE RING
Tahitian Pearl Trophy
MODERN DAY ALCHEMIST
A modern day alchemist, Neeley calls on old-world techniques which he learned with European masters, as well as the most modern tools of the jewelry-making trade. By developing custom gold alloys in his studio, Neeley unlocks signature gold colors and stunning gold gradients for use exclusively in his creations.
MODERN DAY ALCHEMIST
A modern day alchemist, Neeley calls on old-world techniques which he learned with European masters, as well as the most modern tools of the jewelry-making trade. By developing custom gold alloys in his studio, Neeley unlocks signature gold colors and stunning gold gradients for use exclusively in his creations.
“My designs flow from natural inspiration. The spiral of a nautilus shell, a blooming iris, the curves of the human body; this natural elegance is something I strive to capture. For me, a truly breathtaking gemstone or pearl is an irresistible muse. Bringing inspiration and precious materials together into a narrative is my calling. Every piece I create tells a story.” – Adam Neeley
COSMOS MORGANITE PENDANT
AGTA Spectrum Awards
NATURAL INSPIRATION
The natural bounty of Neeley’s native Colorado inspired his curiosity from a young age. Some of his earliest memories include time spent in the garden with his mother. Caring for plants also meant admiring their beauty. Each exquisitely proportioned flower and the concert of colors in a garden evidenced nature’s magnificence. Replete with elegant forms and harmonious color combinations, the living world radiates intrinsic beauty.
“My designs flow from natural inspiration. The spiral of a nautilus shell, a blooming iris, the curves of the human body; this natural elegance is something I strive to capture. For me, a truly breathtaking gemstone or pearl is an irresistible muse. Bringing inspiration and precious materials together into a narrative is my calling. Every piece I create tells a story.” – Adam Neeley
NATURAL INSPIRATION
The natural bounty of Neeley’s native Colorado inspired his curiosity from a young age. Some of his earliest memories include time spent in the garden with his mother. Caring for plants also meant admiring their beauty. Each exquisitely proportioned flower and the concert of colors in a garden evidenced nature’s magnificence. Replete with elegant forms and harmonious color combinations, the living world radiates intrinsic beauty.
COSMOS MORGANITE PENDANT
AGTA Spectrum Awards
AWARD WINNING DESIGN
Neeley’s honors and distinctions include 10 AGTA Spectrum Awards, 2 AGTA Cutting Edge Awards, 11 MJSA Vision Awards, 2 Tahitian Pearl Trophies and 2 President’s Trophies & a Vision Award from the CPAA, a Saul Bell Design Award, and more than a dozen top of category and Best of Show honors at fine art shows around the country. As a member of the American Jewelry Design Council, Neeley works with other top American designers to advance jewelry as an art form. His work has been featured in museums and his piece “South Sea Glow” is a part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection.
SOUTH SEA GLOW PENDANT
Smithsonia Museum Collection
AWARD WINNING DESIGN
Neeley’s honors and distinctions include 10 AGTA Spectrum Awards, 2 AGTA Cutting Edge Awards, 11 MJSA Vision Awards, 2 Tahitian Pearl Trophies and 2 President’s Trophies & a Vision Award from the CPAA, a Saul Bell Design Award, and more than a dozen top of category and Best of Show honors at fine art shows around the country. As a member of the American Jewelry Design Council, Neeley works with other top American designers to advance jewelry as an art form. His work has been featured in museums and his piece “South Sea Glow” is a part of the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection.
SOUTH SEA GLOW PENDANT
Smithsonian Museum Collection
“When it comes to design, I admire clean and modern forms. Whether it’s a sleek mid-century Eames chair or a Frank Lloyd Wright home, I find a design meaningful when it tells a narrative.” -Adam Neeley
ARIA TOURMALINE EARRINGS
AGTA Spectrum Awards
“When it comes to design, I admire clean and modern forms. Whether it’s a sleek mid-century Eames chair or a Frank Lloyd Wright home, I find a design meaningful when it tells a narrative.” -Adam Neeley
ARIA TOURMALINE EARRINGS
AGTA Spectrum Awards
