Colombian emerald in 22k and 18k gold, an oval cabochon on a ring of two golds milled in our studio. I fabricated it by hand and gave it a brushed finish, and it is one of a kind.
22K & 18k studio milled yellow golds, Colombian emerald (minor oil only) oval cabochon 8.25 tcw.
Ring size 7.5 (minor up size is possible, but it cannot be sized down)
.64” (16.2mm) vertical
.54” (13.77mm) horizontal
.37” (9.5mm) gem height
.23” (5.9mm) band width
Singular studio crafted
Fabricated by Ali
Brush finish texture
Made by our hands in our mountain studio in the USA. One of one: once it sells, it will not be made again. Returns accepted within 15 days of delivery if the piece hasn’t been damaged. Rings can often be sized up and only very rarely down. If you need a different size, we’d be glad to make you a similar piece in your size.
We can also send video or more photos of the piece.
I’m available by phone or email if you have any questions.
One studio, three generations. Begun in Big Sur in 1964, and still made by hand, one at a time.
To The Gallery
Spiderweb turquoise from the Number 8 mine, cut asymmetrically, in a 22k gold bezel on this Big Sur Classic ring. I hand fabricated it with a satin brush and a finger fitted band, and it is one of a kind.
22k studio milled gold, sterling silver base and band, Spiderweb #8 mine turquoise cabochon 21 tcw
Ring size 7.5 (can be upsized to an 8.5 upon request)
0.96” (24.5mm) vertical
0.74” (18.8mm) max horizontal
0.33” (8.4mm) gem height
0.32” (8mm) band width
Satin brushed finish
Hand fabricated by Ali
Finger fitted band
Individually crafted studio jewelry
Made by our hands in our mountain studio in the USA. One of one: once it sells, it will not be made again. Returns accepted within 15 days of delivery if the piece hasn’t been damaged. Rings can often be sized up and only very rarely down. If you need a different size, we’d be glad to make you a similar piece in your size.
We can also send video or more photos of the piece.
I’m available by phone or email if you have any questions.
One studio, three generations. Begun in Big Sur in 1964, and still made by hand, one at a time.
Fossilized coral, an oval cabochon, 18 carats, in a 22k gold setting on sterling silver.
Ring size 8.5
1.10” (28.7mm) vertical
0.75” (19.2mm) horizontal
0.28” (7.1mm) gem height
0.47” (12mm) band width
Form fitted band shape
Hand fabricated by Ali
Individually crafted studio piece
Made by our hands in our mountain studio in the USA. One of one: once it sells, it will not be made again. Returns accepted within 15 days of delivery if the piece hasn’t been damaged. Rings can often be sized up and only very rarely down. If you need a different size, we’d be glad to make you a similar piece in your size.
We can also send video or more photos of the piece.
I’m available by phone or email if you have any questions.
One studio, three generations. Begun in Big Sur in 1964, and still made by hand, one at a time.
“Some of the U.S. master goldsmiths/jewelers I have had the good fortune to meet through IG include Ali and Carrie of @bigsurgoldsmiths”
Legacy - Big Sur Roots
A family studio, begun at Esalen in 1964. Karl Lee made his first work there, then raised his family on Partington Ridge. Today Carrie and Ali carry it on, one piece at a time.
KARL LEE
1960’s STUDIO -The Esalen “Art Barn”
Big Sur Classics
Karl began hand forging these Big Sur Classics in the 1970s on Partington Ridge. Carrie and Ali still make them the same way, a few each month in 22k gold and silver.
Original Work
Please stay in touch. We always have interesting work in the studio and welcome inquiries.
ContactWhere to see our work
We are often asked where to see our work in Big Sur and the answer is:
The Phoenix Shop at Nepenthe
has carried our work since the beginning. If you are visiting Big Sur please stop by this iconic Highway 1 landmark to experience our one-of-a-kind work in person.
Visit the Phoenix ShopWe are a studio of two, not a large business. Our work is one of a kind, so we offer it in only a few other galleries that we love.

