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Joseph Gordon Cleveland Launches Fine Jewelry With Persona

By Susie Kostaras

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  • Sterling silver and shagreen cuff, $4,885
  • Gold and black diamond earrings, $4650
  • Sterling silver and prehnite necklace, $7895
  • Sterling silver and prehnite cuff, $6485


Right above Kenmore Square sits Persona Jewelry, a studio and retail space run by owners Gary Shteyman and Margarita Druker, which has stocked and even executed the design of New England artisans for a decade. The duo's latest endeavor is a fine jewelry collaboration with Boston creative Joseph Gordon Cleveland, releasing four styles just last month from a 20-piece collection planned for this spring. While Joseph drafts the sketches that drive the creative vision, Gary utilizes thirty years of experience to hammer metal, set stones, and craft each piece by hand.

Aside from one-of-a-kind stones and divets, the launch is also unique in its philanthropic partnership with L'Académie, a chamber orchestra which plays at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to improve patient care through live music. Ten percent of each sale goes straight to the group, celebrating its one-year anniversary in December and led by experienced musician Leslie Kwan. As a lifelong violinist himself, Joseph's decision to pair the L'Académie mission with his collection was a no-brainer.

Employing materials like ethically-sourced shagreen, black diamonds (often mimicking the texture of shagreen), gold, and hammered silver, the current pieces will be accompanied by future additions to the collection featuring similar textures and several serpentine motifs. Prices will fall within the $5,000 to $50,000 range, referencing the quality of metals, intensive labor, and stones used. Influenced by the Egyptian Revival style and Art Deco scale, the designs focus on texture rather than large motifs. Joseph notes that from a stylist's vantage point—a past profession of his—these statement pieces go with anything and are meant to be worn by themselves.
· Joseph Gordon Cleveland [Persona Jewelry]
· Joseph Gordon Cleveland [Official Site]
· L'Académie [Official Site]