New York - January 25, 2008

You’re Golden

Michelle Fantaci Jewelry

You can rock out with your schlock out.

Or you can rely on Michelle Fantaci for the heavy metal. The New York City designer, who studied metalsmithing in Tuscany, counts heavily on gold for her first line of jewelry — a collection of thoughtful pieces with imperfect curves and rounded edges.

Delicate branch-like hoops and stacked rings (with tiny diamonds) are sculpted in wax by hand and cast in shimmery fourteen-karat gold. Found Spanish coins, Arabic intaglios, and dimpled sea-horseshoe pendants hang on tiny chains as good luck symbols.

Lending some edge to the group are railroad track hoops dotted with metal studs and two-dimensional spike-and-tie charms — every piece executed with a precision and craftsmanship that can come only from a true artisan.

No headbanging here.

Available at Matter, 405 Broome Street, between Centre and Lafayette Streets (212-343-2600); online at michellefantaci.com.

  Design Junkies, Good for Gifts