Designer Biography
For acclaimed jewelry designer Kristin Hanson, creative inspiration knows no boundaries. Raised in a family of artists, her sensitivity to form, material, and design was cultivated from an early age. Drawn to the expressive possibilities of contemporary jewelry, Kristin pursued a path defined by craftsmanship, innovation, and personal storytelling.
Her training began under the private mentorship of master goldsmith Harold O’Connor, followed by advanced study at a contemporary jewelry school outside Florence, Italy. Upon returning to the United States, Kristin honed her expertise working alongside master diamond setters and jewelers in New York City’s Diamond District—an experience that continues to shape her technical precision and discerning eye. Kristin launched her first collection at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC.
Kristin is renowned for her thoughtful approach to sourcing exceptional diamonds and rare gemstones. With exclusive access to vivid Argyle Pink Diamonds from a conflict-free Australian mine, her work is highly regarded by collectors and investors alike. Each piece is designed to honor the natural beauty of these extraordinary materials, allowing their inherent character to take center stage.
In 2016, Kristin was selected by Oscar de la Renta to assist in the launch of the fashion house’s inaugural fine jewelry collection. She has since collaborated with Rio Tinto Diamonds, and her work has been prominently featured in Swarovski’s global marketing campaigns.
An educator at heart, Kristin has spent over a decade mentoring emerging talent. From 2006 to 2017, she founded and led the Kristin Hanson School of Jewelry Design from her Tribeca atelier, which grew to become the largest jewelry school in the United States at the time. She is currently developing a series of educational video classes from her Hudson Valley studio, to be released on her dedicated YouTube channel, IJEWL.
Kristin’s work has earned critical acclaim, including the Couture Design Award and the Platinum Fashion Innovation Award from PGI International. Her commitment to education was further recognized with the VIV Magnificent Woman Humanitarian Award. Her designs have appeared in Vogue Italia, Harper’s Bazaar China, and W Magazine, and are carried by select Neiman Marcus locations and independent fine jewelry retailers worldwide.
Today, Kristin runs her design boutique in Rhinebeck, New York, where she creates handcrafted fine jewelry alongside bespoke bridal and heirloom commissions. Balancing studio life with motherhood, she is often joined by her young daughter—bringing a sense of family, continuity, and legacy to everything she designs. Each piece reflects a balance of tradition and modernity, created to be worn, cherished, and passed down for generations.