Today we’d like to introduce you to Craig Grassi.
Hi Craig, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I am a marketing executive turned fine jewelry designer, and the creative director behind C. GRASSI.
My love of jewelry started as a child, when I would string staples and paper clips together to create different bracelets and necklaces. They weren’t the most obvious material choices, and frankly they were painful to wear, but I used what I had access to and allowed my young mind to do its thing.
As I grew older and continued to define my personal style, combining opposing aesthetics with unconventional pairings evolved into a more intentional focus. I loved going to vintage stores in NYC, finding destressed t-shirts and jeans, and wearing them with some of my favorite luxury designers. The contrasting combination of high/low, and going a bit against the grain, has always presented as the embodiment of IFYKYK.
My appreciation for understated luxury carried through into my jewelry choices, as well. I felt a natural draw to pieces that were designed using accessible or industrial materials and then embellished with elements of gold, diamonds, and other precious stones. [THINK: the rubber and diamond bangles by Andre Ribeiro] Don’t get me wrong, I love the full bling of a Cartier or Van Cleef, but I found the unexpected nature of the fine-fashion pieces to be so much more interesting.
The passion I had for style and design remained a distant admiration as a consumer, and it wasn’t until the pandemic, the idea of becoming a designer started to take hold.
On occasion, I would create pieces for myself or for friends, but they were always made as one-offs. I never put thought into sharing them with the world beyond my close circle.
In Oct 2020 while attending an outdoor gathering, a fine jewelry designer, Briony Raymond, spotted one of my pieces on a friend and suggested working together on a collaboration. It took all of 3 seconds for that inner, staple-stringing six-year-old to jump at the idea and say yes.
Over the next few months, we got started creating our Love & Light collection, made of Ghanaian & 14k gold beads, and designed using the ancient traditions of color therapy and numerology
Because the world had been devastated by the pandemic, it was important for us to give back in some way. We partnered with Project Healthy Minds – a non-profit set out to provide metal health support – and a portion of each piece sold directly benefited the organization.
The collection was introduced in the Summer of 2021, and I became love-struck with the idea of creating something on my own.
By the following Spring, C. GRASSI was born with my first solo collection. I am excited to share you can now find my pieces online and in select luxury retailers in New York, California, and Texas, including Dallas’ very own, The Conservatory.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As a new designer, I work with a small team of artisans and craftspeople. Everything we do is made by hand (in NYC) and of the highest quality. I take pride in the pieces we create, and we don’t short-change production by sending things overseas.
This process limits our production, but it also ensures that when you purchase C. GRASSI, you know you are getting something that is beautiful and truly unique.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I describe C. GRASSI as understated luxury that strikes a balance of color, texture, and flow. All of my pieces are made with 14k gold, diamonds, precious stones, and other materials from around the world.
Color
Since the beginning of time, ancient cultures have used color as an expression of opulence, sacred adornment, and a celebration of life. I believe color is magic and is a primary design focus in everything I do.
As someone who wears a lot of black and navy, I like to infuse color as accent into my personal style. I am often inspired by fashion designers who lean into unique color stories, like Missoni, Paul Smith, and Valentino.
Texture
Balance is a key component in universal law, and I believe beauty lies in the symbiotic relationship of opposing aesthetics: High/Low, Sparkle/Matte, Hard/Soft.
A great example of this is our Midnight Annex Necklace. Made with black freshwater pearls, micro blue sapphires and faceted labradorite beads, I love the contrasting balance between the softness of the pearls and the more ridged structure of the faceted stones.
I also think it’s time we break the rules around conventional norms. Pearls no longer need to adhere to the conservative aesthetics of white-gloved, Sunday best. These gemstones deserve their time to shine in more adventurous ways and can be worn by both men and women.
Flow
From material to thought, all matter emits vibrational energy. This idea serves as an undercurrent to my designs, and I channel frequency and symbolism to create with intention.
Some of my best sellers are our graduated hourglass bracelets and necklaces. The hourglass is representative of time: past, present, and future. The center of the hourglass is surround by six, reverse-set diamonds with the points stick out. This unique setting symbolizes the flow of energy and the deepest connection to self when we live in the present moment.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
To keep in theme with my love of high/low, here are a few of my favorite spots in Dallas:
The Conservatory
The curation of jewelry, fashion and home goods is on another level. The Conservatory is so intentional about the brands and designers they bring together, and everything in the store is elevated, chic and designed with consciousness.
Vagabond Vintage
They have a great selection of vintage t’s and sweatshirts. I strike gold every time I go in there.
Carte Blanche
Their chef’s tour is like a 5-star voyage for your mouth. Sign me up.
Yellow Rosa
I love the vibe of their space and their tacos. Give me tacos all day, every day.
Drag Brunch @ The Commons Club
One of my favorite stops in any city is checking out the local drag shows. The creativity and confidence is magnetic. How can you not have fun?
Pricing:
- Image 1: Broken Arrow Bracelet // Turquoise. $1,375
- Image 2: kk pearls // white pearls with herkimer diamonds. $1700
- Image 3 & 6: Annex Necklaces in Forest and Midnight. $1,700 each.
- Image 4: Diamond Safety Pin $1,695. Emerald Micro Drizzle $575
- Image 5: Mini Graduated Hourglass Necklace $1,275
Contact Info:
- Website: cgrassi.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cgrassi.co/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cgrassi.co
Image Credits
C. GRASSI
