By Ryan Wallace

A brand born of an artisanal aesthetic, Leslie Francesca has taken her passion for the simplistic and created a jewelry line that shines all on its own. With a deep understanding of the materials she works with and the technique of an accomplished gemologist, Francesca has proven that beauty can lie in even the most unexpected of overturned stones along each path.

A true naturalist, Francesca’s view of jewelry rings quite true in every piece. A simple style, minimalistic in augmentation, the collections of rings, pendants and other accessories that Francesca cuts are reliant on the natural beauty of the gems she works with. “I believe the simpler the better” Francesca says. “I mainly work with stones because they speak for themselves.”

Learning some lost techniques as a jeweler in the artisan capital of the world Florence, Italy, Francesca expanded on her knowledge as a gemologist and honed a clear vision for her craft. “I was born in my dad’s Italian phase, so I thought why not move to Italy” Francesca says. “I was surrounded by the most beautiful art and the most beautiful jewelry one could hope for.” Balancing traditional and modern techniques, along with a wide range of carefully curated stones, Leslie Francesca has found a unique niche within the industry.

Looking at her collection, you won’t see a princess cut diamond or a faceted sapphire, but rather something much rawer in its appeal.  Making use and showcasing the intricate nature of more common gems like amethyst and quartz, Leslie Francesca collections represent a diverse range of beauty at an affordable price tag. With such a focus placed on the stones, each piece imbues a unique difficulty to the jeweler, but also results in an artistically unique piece for each consumer.

“Everything artistic is related, even if it doesn’t show in every design” Francesca says. “I love clean lines and beautiful colors, which I think is shown in my jewelry collections. Druzies play such a significant role in my jewelry because they are naturally so beautiful, and the healing properties of Druzy Quartz are to clear the mind and focus creativity which is really awesome to work with.”

Amongst the highlights of the collections are Druzy stone rings and the cascading amethyst earrings & pendants. Contrasting smooth and rough, the collections bring texture to the foreground as crystalline lattices become focal points of the pieces. Also, appealing to the unique nature of each piece, Francesca’s approach to cutting the stones reveals intricate levels of strata that show the conditions of the gems over the course of centuries.

“It sounds so hippie, especially considering that I am a Berkeley girl, but mother Earth and nature really inspire my jewelry” Francesca says. “There is really nothing more stunning than nature, and to think that all of these stones come from mother Earth is entirely astounding.”

Inspired by the Earth around her and the stones beneath her feet, Francesca’s collections reflect her deep appreciation of gems and the intricate attention she gives to each and every piece. Simplistically chic, while glaringly bold, at an affordable price these pieces are as addicting as they are unique.