Feature Friday Q&A with Tej Kothari from Kothari Jewelry Designs

Today's Feature Friday jeweler makes it hard to pick just one favorite.  Honestly, I can't even decide on one favorite collection - let alone one favorite piece!  So imagine my excitement when one of the designing minds behind Kothari Jewelry Design, Tej Kothari, agreed to my Q&A!  

Each Kothari piece is made from hand-selected or custom-cut stones with a unique character of the highest quality making them perfect new heirloom pieces to be enjoyed, and passed down, for generations.

I'm sure you are going to love Kothari Jewelry Design as much as I do so enjoy today's Feature Friday Q&A with Tej Kothari!

1.  What prompted your passion for jewelry and jewelry design?

My passion for jewelry started from childhood as my mother was an antique jewelry dealer.  My passion for designing came much later while I was in college studying molecular biology.  My mom asked me to assist her on her buying trips and told me I could design a few pieces to keep myself busy.  I could also keep the profits from any sales of those pieces.  The first batch sold very quickly and effectively ended my career as a scientist.

From the Elemental Collection, this is one of my favorite pieces from Kothari Jewelry Designs ring
made of 18 karat yellow gold & carnelian.

2.  What is your favorite piece or collection?

I’ve never thought about that before and it may be tough to pick one from the past.  So I’d like to think the next piece is always my favorite.

From the Ornamental Collection these rings are made of 18 karat gold, tahitian keshi pearls & diamonds.

3.  What would your perfect “jewelry day” involve / be like?

It would involve playing around with stones or existing pieces and having an ‘aha!’ moment that leads to a new design direction for me to explore.

What is not to love about these earrings made of 18 karat gold & black obsidian?!

4.  Thus far, what would you say is your proudest jewelry moment or memory?

Designing my daughter’s first piece of jewelry.

5.  Where do you find your greatest inspiration?

From everywhere and everything!  From the natural world visible to the naked eye to the microscopic world hidden from normal view, from the emotional experiences of my life to the philosophical ideas that shape me as a person. 

These earrings made of 18 karat gold & amethyst by Kothari Jewelry Designs are perfect for everyday wear.

6.  In your personal wardrobe, do you find that you gravitate to one particular jewelry accessory (rings vs. necklace vs. bracelets vs. watches, etc.) more often than others?

There is only one ring I wear from time to time that was part of the first few pieces I designed.  However, there is an antique Etruscan bead I carry in my pocket sometimes but I’m not sure why. 

7.  When putting together an outfit, how do you feel about mixing metals, designs and even new with vintage pieces?

Mix away!  

Another one of my favorite pieces from Kothari Jewelry Design is this stunning necklace
made of 18 karat gold & black moonstone.

8.  Layering seems to be a trend that is here to stay, for now. What are your feelings on the layered look?  How do you like layered necklaces with layered bracelets plus layered rings? 

The layered look is great but especially so if the pieces have some meaning to the wearer.  Just avoid looking messy.

This necklace is perfect for layering!  I love necklace made of 18 karat gold, sterling silver & chalcedony drusy.

9.  What advice would you give to budding jewelry designers? To budding fine jewelry collectors?

To both I’d say follow your heart and your intuition.

To the designer I’d add that if you plan on making a living from designing jewelry then make sure you have the business acumen that’s required to be successful OR realize early on that you do not have the required business skills and get some trusted help.

Flash Question - Dream trip destination?

The moon (now that it may soon be a reality).

Bracelet made of 18 karat gold & mexican matrix fire opals.

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