Penny Preville has come a long way from stringing up hippy style jewelry using turquoise beads to creating jewelry with mega star power.

Her finely crafted jewelry designs are often seen complimenting the red carpet as it is draped or dangled from the bods of celebrities such as Maria Cross, Jamie Foxx, Eva Longoria, and Maria Menounos.

A little more about this jewelry designer, her philosophy, and her beginnings from Get personal with your jewelry MATTERS OF STYLE:

If you approach Preville for something special, she'll ask questions before showing jewelry. "I would talk to you, see what your job is, what your life is like. I try to learn all about you."

Preville became intrigued with the craft as a child. "My grandmother had a box of beautiful, fine vintage jewelry," she said. "It looked like a treasure chest to me." On Sundays she would visit and try on jewelry.


While still in college, Preville spent a summer on Fire Island, a beach resort near New York City, where she began styling turquoise and coral beads. Later she evolved from the American Indian aesthetic so popular in the '70s to sterling silver beads and eventually to stones.



Like many designers, she started her business after making jewelry for herself and then for friends. Her husband soon joined her in the company. Her first retail customer was New York specialty store Henri Bendel. Bloomingdale's soon followed, and with no showroom or office, she was entertaining store buyers in her apartment.


Although Preville's current work runs the gamut from modern, long diamond chains and diamond cuffs to pink sapphire designs, she is often inspired by the past. Art history and antique jewels fascinate her, she said. Egyptian, ancient Greek and, especially, Victorian designs touch her.

You can see the obvious influence of estate and antique elements in her jewelry. Take a look at a few earrings, necklaces, and rings from her collection.