Interview
Emma May
Owner and designer, Emma is a GIA (Gemology Institute of America) graduate jeweler, who handcrafts each piece with precision and care. She uses natural gemstones and diamonds to create one-of-a-kind customs, and simple but unique pieces that are perfect for everyday jewelry.
She enjoys creating jewelry that allows her to express herself.
Emma is from San Diego, but currently lives and works in Pacific Grove (California). She is the founder and owner of Salted Stones, a haven from where she creates her amazing works of art.
What is your background and how did you start your journey?
“I started making jewelry for fun in high school. My friend’s mom made jewelry for people, and since I loved that idea, I had her teach me some wire wrapping techniques. It wasn’t long before I was hooked. I took my tools and supplies with me to college, where I ended up selling to people out of my dorm room. I also started making custom pieces for my friends before a night out or a special event.
During my senior year in college, I got a job helping with production and sales at a small boutique in San Francisco. I’d spend the day making pieces for companies like Stitch Fix, and I’d make up to 100 items a day. I moved to another boutique that offered me a managerial position. I loved the team, and soon found myself working in all sections of the company. I would manage the store, travel to trade shows for wholesale accounts, and help make some of the pieces.
I took up a goldsmith course with a coworker and started working with semi precious stones and metal. This made me realize I really wanted to get back to focusing on making jewelry, so I enrolled at the Gemology Institute of America in Carlsbad, California.
I moved back to San Diego—where I’m originally from—and started my bench jeweler course, where I learned basic skills on the bench such as soldering, stone setting and finishing work. Once I finished this course, I knew I wanted to learn more, so I ended up getting a job as a bench jeweler apprentice in Carmel by the Sea. After a few years at this job, I knew it was time for me to take a leap and make my own business, Salted Stones, a full-time venture. I’ve always wanted to be my own boss and be able to create freely for customers in my own unique way. After gaining over 10 years of experience in the jewelry industry, I’m so happy to have found my own place in it.”
What inspires you most?
“So much inspires me! I grew up on the California coastline, and there’s a lot of reflection of that in my work. I’ve never been a very traditional person, so I love the idea of creating unique pieces that reflect my style as well as my customers’.
I love working with family heirlooms and giving them new life. Taking a meaningful piece and re-imaging it into something my customer gets to enjoy everyday. I think human connection is also a big part of my inspiration. I’m a big people person, and being able to connect with a community of people to create something beautiful together is my absolute favorite.”
“Being a small part of someone’s special moments in life is one of the things I love most about my job!”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I can’t say I have one set theme I pursue. I definitely have an everyday-wear feel to my gold fill jewelry line. I like the idea of a buildable collection that reflects the quality of my craftsmanship. My fine jewelry customs is where I get to truly go wild and just create anything that inspires me. When working with customers, I really try to take in their style while also giving it a Salted Stones flair. A lot of the time, I let the stones do the talking. When working with family heirlooms, I feel they set the tone of the piece.”
How would you describe your work?
“I create quality everyday jewelry that’s made to stack and layer. For my custom pieces, I’d say they’re unique, individualized, and filled with a lot of love and excitement. Being able to bring my customer’s vision to life gets me just as excited as them.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I’ve lots of jewelry artists I follow who are super inspiring to me. I love Theresa Cowan of Mineralogy who makes such beautiful unique pieces. I love them all.
The biggest influence for me, however, are my peers from school. It’s been so incredible to see what they have done and built since we graduated. We don’t all have the same style but I’m more influenced by their talent, seeing how much they’ve all grown in their own unique ways!”
What is your creative process like?
“I love meeting with my clients if possible, to observe their style in person and get their vibe. I usually provide them with some sketches of my ideas. Depending on the direction they want to go, I finalize design work with CAD or renderings to have a visual example of what exactly I’ll be making. Then once that is approved, I get the casting done and do all the finishing work: pre-finishing, stone setting, polishing, and buffing.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“There’s so much going on in the world, and art is a way to escape and create beauty. It’s something people can have to cheer them up, express themselves, or remember loved ones by. Art will forever be evolving, but what’s nice is that you can give a new meaning or life to art throughout the years, just like my family heirloom reworks.”
Website: www.saltedstones.com
Instagram: @saltedstones
