5 Minutes With Colleen B. Rosenblat, World-Famous Jewelry Designer

SOUTHAMPTON, NY —Colleen B. Rosenblat’s unique jewelry is coveted by stylish women throughout the world. Rosenblat, who lives both on the East End and in Hamburg, Germany, where she has her flagship store, has now brought her gems to Southampton. The designer spoke to Patch about her journey to international recognition.

Patch: When did you start designing jewelry?

CR: After taking my school-leaving exams and subsequent trips to gemstone mines in Australia and Indonesia, I studied at the Gemology Institute of America in Los Angeles. Following my graduation, I trained in gemology at Idar-Oberstein, Germany, and completed a goldsmith apprenticeship for three years in Frankfurt am Main.

In 1987, I accepted a place in a design course at Parsons School in New York, and subsequently worked as a freelance goldsmith in the USA and Germany. For the past 25 years I have been living in Hamburg, running a store and a studio where all my pieces are handcrafted. The carriage house was converted into a stylish showroom by star architect Michael Gabellini.

Where did your interest in jewelry came from?

CR: Since my childhood I was fascinated by my mother’s and her friends’ jewelry. But the most important experience was when I found a beautiful smoky quartz crystal while walking through the forest. Finding that stunning mineral started my passion and excitement for gemstones. A jeweler friend gave me a silver piece, a saw, and some more tools and that’s how my goldsmith career started in my teens at home.

You have a store in Germany. Are you thinking of opening one in the United States?

CR: Even though I have owned a home in the Hamptons for 30 years, this is my first summer selling here at Jay Waldmann’s beautiful store in Southampton. It is going very well and a lot of people appreciate my one-of-a-kind handmade jewelry. Especially my lucky charm scarab rings, which are very colorful. I am considering a store of my own in the Hamptons one day — even though I love it at Jay’s.

What inspires you?

CR: The gem itself inspires me. It’s sparkle, fire, shape, cut and personality. The gemstones I work with are very rare and absolutely beautiful. That’s enough of inspiration.

Do you already have certain customers who live or vacation in the Hamptons?

CR: Yes, that’s why I took the opportunity when Jay Waldmann offered me a showcase in his store over the summer to show and sell my pieces.

Tell us about some of your favorite Hamptons spots?

CR: Sometimes, I even spend Thanksgiving and the winter here. I love the light in the fall. The ocean and its beaches are beautiful and vast. My favorite places are the Surf Lodge in Montauk for the crowd, Dockers Waterside in East Quogue for the sunset, Rumba in Hamptons Bays for margaritas, Suki Zuki in Water Mill for grilled cod and sushi, and Sant Ambroeus in Southampton for ice cream and cakes.

What are your own favorite jewelry pieces — and why?

CR: A simple 18 karat hammered white gold hand cuff, which everyone in my family wears, and a little white gold cocktail ring with a diamond.

Is jewelry a necessity or a luxury?

CR: For me it is passion. I feel very fortunate to work with such rare and beautiful natural materials like gemstones and gold. I am a nature fan. I love hiking in Norway, its forest, lakes. I am thankful that the earth provides us with all that beauty and that I can give it back to people in my jewelry pieces.

You can find Rosenblat’s jewelry at Waldmann’s on Main Street in Southampton.