Cover Story - July/August 2007

Laura Gibson – Adding Color to American Design

From boardroom bling to fashion’s never-ending swing, few designers have captured the colorful and ever-changing fancies of clientele like Laura Gibson

>>By Diana S. Zimmerman, Senior Features Correspondent

Laura Gibson designs jewelry that is meant to be worn, as her campaign suggests, “from runway to reality.” Equally as beautiful with a pair of jeans as they are on the red carpet, celebrities and executives, alike, count among those who champion her designs. Be it Laura’s dazzling Quail Collection or an intricately patterned two-toned gold and silver necklace, everything this former IBM marketing specialist creates is meant to impress—and impress it does, both off and on the runways of Hollywood, Paris, and New York. Her celebrity fans include CSI-NY’s Melina Kanakaredes, Heroes’ Hayden Panettiere, and Desperate Housewives’ Joy Lauren.

But it isn’t just the stars who shine brighter with her pieces. Gibson’s popularity among editors of high-end fashion magazines such as In Style and W are proof positive of the ever-increasing ability of her designs to captivate and dazzle. As customers expand their jewelry vocabulary, her extensive knowledge of precious and semi-precious stones has allowed this radiant brand to stay ahead of the trends by not just following what is hot, but creating it.

With the launch of her Quail collection, Gibson has unequivocally set the “gold standard” for color with pieces that transport her clients into the fascinating arena of exotic gems. Offering a veritable rainbow of stones that are masterfully set in 18K and 22K gold, Laura utilizes texture and color to create pieces that are both sophisticated and casually elegant. Her gem preference includes Iolite, Rubellite, Fire Opal, Citrine, Blue Topaz, Amethyst, Peridot, Tourmaline, Green Quartz, Aquamarine, Tanzanite, Chrysoberyl, Mandarin Garnet, and Apatite, just to name a few.

In today’s world of “I want to be unique,” the Quail Collection does just that, as pieces are one-of-a-kind and individually designed and handcrafted by Laura, herself. Each piece also contains a 22K gold Quail bead, verifying that the design is, indeed, unique. From a literal prism of colors to the more monochromatic use of blues, greens, pinks, or ambers, Quail is, as the designer states, “One of my most exciting collections.” It is also one of her most successful.

With demand for her jewelry continuing to escalate, Gibson is constantly adding new pieces to her already exciting lines. “When a color group has proven to be very popular,” she explains, “we add new designs to the collection. This allows the store’s customers to purchase additional coordinating pieces, and the retailer to develop their overall Laura Gibson collection.”

Gibson’s design philosophy is really quite simple: “I use color and texture as a creative compass and am inspired by abstract concepts of the world, using nature as my guide.” Traveling to the wilds of Nova Scotia several times a year, Gibson is rejuvenated by the towering cliffs, sandy beaches, and breathtakingly beautiful scenery of this magnificent part of the world. Free from the trappings of modern life such as telephones, electricity, and computers, it is a chance for this innovative designer to get back to nature and push the envelope of her creative spirit. It is there, in the seclusion of solitude, that Gibson develops her works of art.

To Laura, simplicity is key. Yet her pieces seem to hold a mystery about them—some inner secret that radiates with an energy all its own. Perhaps it is her use of such diverse and wonderful stones, or perhaps it is the love and meticulous care she puts into developing and producing each piece. Surely, for Laura, it is both. Her sterling collections, mixed with 18K gold exude a cool confidence, while her gold mesh and black diamond pieces evoke a rich and distinctly contemporary look. But regardless of the piece, all contain a mystique that is as enticing as it is beautiful.

Outstanding service is also key to Gibson’s success, and she works extremely hard to ensure that customers get what they want, when they want it—even if the deadline is tight. “We have fast delivery times,” she insists, “and have been known to get pieces to customers within one day for a special occasion. I’m quite proud of the fact that many of our accounts praise my staff for always being on hand to fulfill their needs and help them be successful with our line.”

As a young girl, Laura was immersed in all forms of art and creativity—her mother a sculptor, her father a writer, and her grandmother a painter. So, it would have seemed natural for her to have also pursued a career in the creative arts. However, she preferred to begin her professional life as a sales and marketing specialist for tech giant, IBM. While it was a decision that would serve her well in the years to follow, for Laura, destiny was yet to prevail. After a chance visit to the internationally renowned Tucson Gem Shows, Gibson’s true passion was unleashed. Her calling would be to design jewelry using rare and exotic gemstones. Today, she is considered to be one of the world’s foremost experts in this field.

Working from a design studio in Tucson, Arizona, Laura’s colorful jewelry created so much demand that, in 1996, she officially launched the company that now bears her name. In a little over a decade, the brand’s popularity has soared and her creations are carried by galleries and fine jewelers across the country. Each piece bears her special “LG” signature clasp as a guarantee of authenticity.

With designs that captivate and creativity that inspires, Laura Gibson’s future is more than just colorful. Like her pieces, it is designed to dazzle. She truly is adding color to American design.

www.lauragibson.com