Perhaps you saw on Instagram that I recently took my son to Monaco so that we could both participate in a fine jewellery trade show there. There’s something special about sharing your passions with your loved ones, which is something that Lisa Nikfarjam can relate to. Her son can name the coloured gemstones that cross her desk, and he “contributes regularly to the creative process,” which is so special! She says: “I want him to see the world through the lens of nature's beauty and to appreciate what fascinating gemstones can be found in nature.”
As a brand, Lisa Nik somehow manages to capture these small pleasures in big ways. For example, there’s the tranquillity of the Greek Isles through blue topaz and aquamarine, the nuances of Lisa’s Persian heritage through warm-toned minerals and yellow gold, and the Californian blend of earth and sea captured in ombré gemstones and bi-colour stones. Even with her impressive CV working for world-renowned brands, the female-owned-and-operated company that Lisa runs today knows how to get to the emotion beneath the design – the feel-good factor – that is usually what turns a casual shopper into a lifelong collector!
“I have been called Hollywood’s best-kept secret because we work with artists and celebrities directly to create a look that they feel good in and that can be worn every day as well as on the red carpet,” Lisa Nikfarjam.
During our conversation, Lisa said that she hopes everyone who encounters her brand feels “that they are part of a greater mission”. This quest is about finding confidence, empowerment, optimism, happiness and an authentic sense of self. This may sound like a lofty goal, but if more than a decade in jewellery has taught me anything, it’s that its powers can’t be underestimated!
Katerina Perez: How did your career in jewellery start, and what propelled you in that direction?
Lisa Nikfarjam: I graduated from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, and began working for an Italian luxury jewellery firm, thinking it would be an interesting summer job. I spent the next eleven and a half years helping to build the brand in North America and eventually became Executive Vice President. During this time, I designed and developed many bestselling items and collections and realised that my passion was most fuelled by the creativity of design and product development. I founded Lisa Nik after leaving this corporate role to create a collection of my own, focusing on coloured gemstones and diamonds and offering a strong personal touch.
KP: What would you say is the ethos behind your brand?
LN: I always say that my collection is for the woman who wants to make a new discovery. She is attracted to things that her friends do not have. She is not afraid to be the first to try something new. There is a strong one-of-a-kind component to the collection, so this is why women like to collect it. The collection catches the eye of the woman that is captivated by bold colour, classically styled. It can be expensive, but she doesn’t need everyone to know it. I wanted my collection to be wearable every day and approachable as a self-purchase. I started by making a series of cocktail rings with colourful gemstones that I called ‘jeans rings’ because they were perfect for casual wear… with jeans and a t-shirt. The world of coloured gemstones is my obsession, and I continue to be fascinated everyday by the unusual colours that are found in nature from all around the world.
KP: Can you point to a particular piece or collection that really exemplifies your signature style?
LN: I think that the asymmetrical statement earrings really channel the values I represent as a designer. Our collectors are elegant yet eccentric with their jewellery. They take risks and might wear something a little bit larger than usual because they like to stand out. These earrings are long and expressive but can still be worn during the day. I am at my best when I am creating custom pieces after getting to know someone. My deep connection to each client is a powerful source of inspiration to designing with confidence. I loved crafting a bespoke Paraiba tourmaline and diamond cuff bracelet recently, and a bold cushion-shaped blue-green tourmaline ring. In both situations, the clients’ personalities were expressed with my added signature details.
KP: Is there a particular type of woman who loves your jewellery?
LN: I have noticed that most of the women who love and collect my jewellery are strong, intellectual, creative, empowered women. The brand is intended for women of all ages, and it does have international appeal. Our customers are well travelled and have so many choices when they shop. They connect with the brand because they love the origin story. It’s the ultimate entrepreneurial story of an American brand that began from scratch. The brand is exclusive and luxurious yet still highly inclusive.
KP: Obviously, colour is a huge part of your story. Can you remember how your passion for coloured gemstones originated?
LN: I have always been passionate about the beauty and colours found in nature all around me. From my working years in New York, the metropolis is an explosion of colour, to my studies and subsequent launch of my brand in Los Angeles, where there is an endless bounty of colours – the California mountains, flowers, the ocean, etc. Really, the origin of my passion for coloured gemstones started with the colour blue. When I saw turquoise and blue gems for the first time, I was captivated by how these stones had the power to take my imagination to a day at the beach. I realised how powerful gemstones are and how powerful colour can be. They have the power to evoke emotion and express feelings. My favourite part of styling people in colour is mixing them up.
KP: Do you have a favourite gemstone to work with?
LN: Multicoloured sapphires are currently the most popular part of the collection. I was one of the first designers to really start showing rainbow sapphires as a collection in jewellery. We continue to evolve this collection, and I find the ombré colours extremely fun to work with. For the larger gemstone cocktail rings, I always look for the most beautiful blue-green tourmaline available on earth. And a personal favourite is Mexican fire opal. I hunt for the deepest red colours I can find in this material, and they are extremely rare.
KP: What would you say is trending right now?
LN: Bi-colour gems are certainly trending right now although I started working with them several years ago. We have a collection of bi-coloured tourmaline jewels that we named after cocktails based on the colour combinations represented. For example… Tequila lime, Strawberry margarita, or Mai tai. Collectors love these gems because they are the ultimate expression of nature’s beauty.
KP: What about your personal style? Are there any pieces you wear every day?
LN: I am a creature of habit and tend to wear the same pieces for a period of time, and then I change them and wear something else for another period of time. I am always on the go, so I try to be neutral with an edge. I always keep a set of yellow gold, a set of white gold, and a set of rose gold with me so that I can choose metal colours to wear on any given day. I wear a hand chain and diamond earring climbers in my second ear piercing. Then, I decide if it’s a chunky chain day or a diamond hand day with stackable rings on each finger. Daily bling is essential for me, and my go-to is my Colombian emerald heart-shaped necklace. I also love wearing my double butterfly earrings.
KP: What newness have you introduced to the Lisa Nik collection in recent months?
LN: We have an increasing number of requests for petite diamond layering pieces. I think this has been triggered by the need to layer diamond pieces with our coloured stone jewellery. I am developing a lot of yellow gold styles in this category and find that women are leaning towards these items because they are so easy to wear for any occasion. I am also adding gold links to the collection, again due to numerous requests for high-quality gold earrings, bracelets, and necklaces to combine with our bold gemstone jewels.
KP: What is on the horizon for your brand? What can we expect in the future?
LN: We are strengthening our presence at Neiman Marcus across the county, which is a milestone in our brand’s history. We have also been working on developing a fantastic collection of high jewellery, some of which was introduced recently at the Couture Show in Las Vegas. This fall, we are launching new pieces from our Diamond Game collection, which represents red carpet style and more dramatic pieces.
Despite all her success, I am struck by Lisa’s down-to-earth attitude. Perhaps it is because her collections are so inspired by the summer, the soothing back-and-forth of waves crashing against the beach, and the simple joys of family life… something that many of us can relate to. She’s a woman designing for women who live similarly busy but fulfilled lives, which is very admirable indeed.
