ABOUT ADAM NEELEY

Adam Neeley
When I was just a child, gemstones captured my curiosity and creativity. To this day, a truly breathtaking gemstone or pearl is an irresistible muse. Forms throughout the natural world inspire me as well. The spiral of a nautilus shell, a blooming iris, the curves of the human body; this natural elegance is something I try to reflect in my designs.
I gain something every time I travel, but I learned the most in Italy. Living in Florence, I was charged with artistic inspiration. As a design student, I flourished in the artistic depth of my surroundings. Studying with old world master goldsmiths, I gained a foundation in classical techniques and hand fabrication. I started to produce pieces that reflected timeless elegance in modern forms.
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. My intention is to do just that, to tell a story in every piece.
– Adam Neeley
Adam Neeley
When I was just a child, gemstones captured my curiosity and creativity. To this day, a truly breathtaking gemstone or pearl is an irresistible muse. Forms throughout the natural world inspire me as well. The spiral of a nautilus shell, a blooming iris, the curves of the human body; this natural elegance is something I try to reflect in my designs.
I gain something every time I travel, but I learned the most in Italy. Living in Florence, I was charged with artistic inspiration. As a design student, I flourished in the artistic depth of my surroundings. Studying with old world master goldsmiths, I gained a foundation in classical techniques and hand fabrication. I started to produce pieces that reflected timeless elegance in modern forms.
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. My intention is to do just that, to tell a story in every piece.
– Adam Neeley

1991

Adam Begins Rock Collecting, Age 8

The natural bounty of Adam Neeley’s native Colorado inspired his curiosity from a young age. At age 8, his passion for stone first ignited. “As a child, every weekend of the summer was spent rock collecting with my dad. Stones captivated me early on. For me there is no greater thrill than uncovering natures treasures.”
Adam Neeley Rock Collecting
Adam Rock Collecting
Adam Neeley Rock Collecting
Adam Neeley with Jeep Rock Collecting

1995

SOUTHWESTERN MOTIFS IN SILVER

By age 12, Adam began apprenticing with Jim Walker, learning the rudiments of gemstone cutting and silver-smithing with Southwestern motifs.
Southwestern Bracelet by Adam Neeley

1998

TOURING ART FESTIVALS

At age 15 Adam Neeley participated in his first art show in Telluride, CO. Adam continued to tour the nation’s most prestigious art shows.
Adam Neeley and Daryl Hannah
Adam Neeley and Daryl Hannah

1999

A Move Toward Modern Design

Adam Neeley shifts away from the Southwestern motifs of his training, and moves toward an increasingly modern and distinctive style.

2003

GIA in Carlsbad, CA

Upon graduating high school, Adam Neeley enrolled in the world-renowned Gemological Institute of America in Carlsbad, CA. He received his Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) degree in 2003. In his training, Adam learned to grade diamonds and identify more than 1,400 other gemstones.

2004

Le Arti Orafe in Florence, Italy

As a Graduate Gemologist, Adam Neeley proceeded to one Europe’s most prestigious gold-smithing institutions, Le Arti Orafe in Florence, Italy. Here he learned advanced techniques with master goldsmith Gio Carbone and matured as a designer. “In Florence inspiration was abundant and I learned to incorporate a narrative into each piece, making it art jewelry.”
Adam Neeley in Florence

2005

CAD, PLATINUM-SMITHING IN NEW YORK, NY

In New York City, Adam Neeley refined his platinum-smithing skills and learned computer aided design under Dominic Ventura of the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Adam Neeley in NYC

2006

LAGUNA BEACH GALLERY OPENS

In 2006, Adam Neeley returned to Southern California and established his flagship jewelry gallery in Laguna Beach.
Adam Neeley founds Laguna Beach Jewelry Store

2012

First Major Industry Award

Adam Neeley’s ring “Moonlight and Caviar” won the Manufacturer and Jewelry Suppliers of America’s (MJSA) Vision Award for Professional Excellence.

2012

“Di Lusso” Wins First Spectrum Award

Adam Neeley’s ring “Di Lusso” won a Spectrum Award at the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA)’s 2012 competition.

2012

SAN FRANCISCO GALLERY OPENS

In July of 2012, Adam Neeley opens his second California gallery location, in San Francisco’s Union Square.
Adam Neeley Founds San Francisco Gallery

2013

“South Sea Glow” in the Smithsonian

In early 2013, the Smithsonian Institution inducted Adam Neeley’s pendant “South Sea Glow” into its permanent collection. View this pendant and other national treasures at the Smithsonian Institution’s online catalogue.
Award Winning Adam Neeley Pendant South Sea Glow
Award Winning Adam Neeley Pendant South Sea Glow

2013

Joins American Jewelry Design Council

Adam Neeley was invited to join the American Jewelry Design Council. Membership is an honor extended exclusively to jewelry designers dedicated to pushing the medium as an art form. He remains a proud member of the AJDC.
Adam Neeley AJDC Inferno Pin
Adam Neeley AJDC Inferno Pin

2015

“Oceana” Wins MJSA Vision Award

At their annual Vision Awards for 2015, MJSA awarded Adam Neeley with two honors: First Place for Professional Design Excellence, and for Laser Distinction for his Pendant entitled “Oceana”.
Award Winning Adam Neeley Pendant Oceana
Award Winning Adam Neeley Pendant Oceana

2017

“Cosmos” Wins AGTA Spectrum Award

At their 2017 Spectrum Awards, AGTA awarded Adam Neeley first place in Business/Day Wear for his pendant “Cosmos”.
Award Winning Adam Neeley Pendant Cosmos
Adam Neeley and Zach Rollins AGTA Award

2018

“Ombre” Wins MJSA Vision Award

At their 2018 Vision Awards, MJSA awarded Adam Neeley first place in Professional Design Excellence for his pendant “Ombre”.
Award Winning Adam Neeley Pendant Ombre
Award Winning Adam Neeley Pendant Ombre

Adam Neeley’s innovative spirit and fiery creative passion have combined with technical mastery to make him one of the most influential and award-winning American jewelry designers. Since 2006, Adam Neeley has been creating unique Designer Jewelry Collections and one-of-a-kind Couture Jewelry masterpieces from his studio and jewelry store in Laguna Beach, CA. Adam Neeley’s story, however, actually begins much earlier. A gemstone lover from a young age, Adam began developing his knowledge of gemstones and jewelry-making skills while still a child. The pursuit to continually grow and achieve as both a craftsman and an artist have unlocked tremendous jewelry-making possibilities. Here we share Adam’s path to becoming a jewelry designer and answer the question: “What is Fine Art Jewelry.”

What Is Fine Art Jewelry?

Fine Art Jewelry Rare Gemstones
Fine Art Jewelry Rare Gemstones
Fine Art Jewelry Rare Gemstones
Fine Art Jewelry Rare Gemstones

Gemstone Excellence

Since childhood, gemstones have captured Adam Neeley’s curiosity. Today, that passion remains as strong as ever. As a Graduate Gemologist (GG) of GIA, the Gemological Institute of America, Adam has proven gemstone expertise and a aesthetic which celebrates unique specimens, expertly cut gems, and rare stones.

Adam is honored that some of the best known lapidary names in the industry have become friends over the years. This includes Munsteiner lapidary house, pioneer of the fantasy-cut, and Stephen Avery, perhaps the finest American lapidary artist. As a result, Adam enjoys early and exclusive access to the most exceptional cut gemstones in the world. To access the finest of other gems, Adam has spent decades cultivating relationships with the best diamond and colored gemstone traders. This allows Adam to call on trusted sources to supply the perfect gemstones to suit every design imaginable.

Gemstone Excellence

Since childhood, gemstones have captured Adam Neeley’s curiosity. Today, that passion remains as strong as ever. As a Graduate Gemologist (GG) of GIA, the Gemological Institute of America, Adam has proven gemstone expertise and a aesthetic which celebrates unique specimens, expertly cut gems, and rare stones.
Adam is honored that some of the best known lapidary names in the industry have become friends over the years. This includes Munsteiner lapidary house, pioneer of the fantasy-cut, and Stephen Avery, perhaps the finest American lapidary artist. As a result, Adam enjoys early and exclusive access to the most exceptional cut gemstones in the world. To access the finest of other gems, Adam has spent decades cultivating relationships with the best diamond and colored gemstone traders. This allows Adam to call on trusted sources to supply the perfect gemstones to suit every design imaginable.
Fine Art Jewelry Rare Gemstones
Fine Art Jewelry Rare Gemstones
Fine Art Jewelry Rare Gemstones
Fine Art Jewelry Rare Gemstones

A Modern Goldsmith with the Heart of an Alchemist

A Modern Goldsmith with the Heart of an Alchemist

“When I’m working with molten metals, I feel like a modern day alchemist. Creating a custom alloy is a scientific process and yet the idea is still magical. ” – Adam Neeley

All goldsmiths must master certain fundamentals to work effectively with precious metals, but the drive to innovate new jewelry-making techniques sets Adam Neeley apart. Adam began with a strong foundation was necessary, obtaining the finest jewelry education by studying first at GIA, the unparalleled California jewelry and gemstone institution, and later with master goldsmiths and designers in Italy. From there, Adam sought to adapt and build upon his knowledge in pursuit of creating exceptional works of jewelry art.

Adam calls on old-world techniques which he learned with European masters, as well as the most modern tools of the jewelry-making trade. At their annual Vision Awards, MJSA (the Manufacturer and Jewelry Suppliers of America) has recognized Adam’s exquisite touch with a laser-welder by awarding him First Place in Laser Distinction on three separate occasions. The award-winning jewelry honored with this important technical award are Revealing Beauty, Oceana, and Rouge Moderne.

Adam is eager to add innovation to technical excellence. Among the most exciting of Adam’s jewelry innovations are AlbaGold™ and SpectraGold™, specialty gold types exclusive to Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry. As a goldsmith and designer, Adam Neeley infuses all of his work with a little bit of magic, making him a modern Alchemist.

All goldsmiths must master certain fundamentals to work effectively with precious metals, but the drive to innovate new jewelry-making techniques sets Adam Neeley apart. Adam began with a strong foundation was necessary, obtaining the finest jewelry education by studying first at GIA, the unparalleled California jewelry and gemstone institution, and later with master goldsmiths and designers in Italy. From there, Adam sought to adapt and build upon his knowledge in pursuit of creating exceptional works of jewelry art.
Adam calls on old-world techniques which he learned with European masters, as well as the most modern tools of the jewelry-making trade. At their annual Vision Awards, MJSA (the Manufacturer and Jewelry Suppliers of America) has recognized Adam’s exquisite touch with a laser-welder by awarding him First Place in Laser Distinction on three separate occasions. The award-winning jewelry honored with this important technical award are Revealing Beauty, Oceana, and Rouge Moderne.
Adam is eager to add innovation to technical excellence. Among the most exciting of Adam’s jewelry innovations are AlbaGold™ and SpectraGold™, specialty gold types exclusive to Adam Neeley Fine Art Jewelry. As a goldsmith and designer, Adam Neeley infuses all of his work with a little bit of magic, making him a modern Alchemist.
Fine Art Jewelry Rare Gemstones
Fine Art Jewelry Jewelry as Art
Fine Art Jewelry Jewelry as Art
Fine Art Jewelry Rare Gemstones

Jewelry as Art

Fine Art Jewelry is the intersection of Fine Jewelry and Fine Art. As the contemporary cultural perspective shifts to see adornment as art, jewelry becomes more respected, complex, and boundary-pushing as an art form. Adam Neeley is a proud member of the American Jewelry Design Council, an elite association of jewelers committed to advancing jewelry as an artistic medium. His works have been exhibited in museums including the Smithsonian Institution, the San Diego Museum of Natural History, GIA, and the Headley Whitney Museum. Adam Neeley’s long list of award winning designs is another indication of the respect and admiration he has earned from industry peers and design critics.

While Adam remains dedicated to creating jewelry which is practical and comfortable, as an artist, he seeks to tell a story within every design. To read more about Adam’s approach to jewelry design, visit Welcome.

Jewelry as Art

Fine Art Jewelry is the intersection of Fine Jewelry and Fine Art. As the contemporary cultural perspective shifts to see adornment as art, jewelry becomes more respected, complex, and boundary-pushing as an art form. Adam Neeley is a proud member of the American Jewelry Design Council, an elite association of jewelers committed to advancing jewelry as an artistic medium. His works have been exhibited in museums including the Smithsonian Institution, the San Diego Museum of Natural History, GIA, and the Headley Whitney Museum. Adam Neeley’s long list of award winning designs is another indication of the respect and admiration he has earned from industry peers and design critics.
While Adam remains dedicated to creating jewelry which is practical and comfortable, as an artist, he seeks to tell a story within every design. To read more about Adam’s approach to jewelry design, visit Welcome.