Each piece is a 360-degree work of art in miniature, with etching and engraving on the front and back, scrollwork, insets of stones, combinations of gold and silver, accents of pearls and semi-precious stones, as well as diamonds.
For almost three decades, the Greek-born jewelry designer Konstantino Soulias (he uses only his first name professionally) has taken ideas from ancient culture and turned them into modern, wearable pieces of jewelry. His designs are worn by such celebrities as Oprah and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, as well as women like Kathy Hibbard of Denver, who shares with her mother a love of the intricate designs.
“The workmanship and quality make it stand out from the crowd,” says Hibbard, who came out to meet the designer when he visited Neiman Marcus on a recent Saturday afternoon. She also finds it versatile. “I like the mixed metals and that you can wear the pieces any time.”
Konstantino, who divides his time between homes in Greece and Chicago, says he’s inspired by Byzantine art and architecture but wants to create pieces for contemporary men and women.
“It takes lots of passion and tons of work,” says the designer, who describes himself as “an old hippie” who grew up loving American blues and jazz.
Konstantino met his future wife, Annette, when she came into his jewelry store on the island of Hydra in 1991. She was a Los Angeles-based makeup artist on assignment with a Greek magazine and they quickly hit it off. She now inspires Konstantino and makes suggestions for the line, he says. The designer makes only a handful of visits to American stores each season, but says he always gets ideas from customers during the appearances. A few seasons back, a woman asked for charms, and now they’re strong sellers on the line, he says.
While his designs are widely copied, the attention to materials and craftsmanship is what sets Konstantino’s work apart from the knockoffs. He oversees a staff of 50 in his Athens workrooms.
From original sketches and wax casting to the final polishing, a piece passes through many hands. Among the more popular pieces for men are cuff links with coin motifs, chunky link or ID bracelets and cross necklaces. Stones for men include carnelian with intaglios (deeply carved inset designs), onyx, mother of pearl and even pave diamonds.
The women’s line runs the gamut from delicate drop stone earrings to dramatic cuff bracelets inset with diamonds. New for spring is the Flora collection, which has pieces in a floral motif ringed by pink tourmalines, blue topaz, purple iolite cabochons and cultured pearls. Most items for men and women sell for $500 to $2,500.
The shaky economy hasn’t made a big dent in sales, Konstantino claims. “Jewelry is never about need, it’s about want.”
Konstantino infuses the pieces with mythological references, and they’re often inscribed with phrases in Greek script, such as “Dare to have the courage to love,” “Have faith” or from Aristotle, “Everything changes.”
He takes such advice to heart, saying,”My philosophy is to enjoy life and the journey.”
Suzanne S. Brown: 303-954-1697 or sbrown@denverpost.com
