“Everyday Extraordinary” is the catchphrase for the magnificent beauty that surrounds us in our daily lives. At Zazzy Box, I may not be a jewelry designer, but I’ve become a student of our clients as we craft and source custom fine jewelry. It’s been a wild ride to understand their artistic vision, balance their budget, and direct artists, CAD designers, suppliers, and manufacturers. It’s brought me an unexpected appreciation for people and their incredible ability to live every day with love in their hearts. This “a-ha” moment led us to create the “Everyday Extraordinary” pulse, where we share stories of how fine jewelry can enhance the natural beauty we all possess.
We stumbled upon the fabulous Rani Ramchandani, who embodies a vibrant blend of American, Filipino, and Indian cultures. Rani’s love for culture, food, and nature is apparent in her personal Instagram, “rani.eats.” I slid into her DMs in 2021 and persuaded her to join our experiment: creating affordable, custom-made jewelry inspired by her everyday life. It was a fantastic adventure, and the outcome was nothing short of spectacular!
Assume: each bullet starts with “Asit”
Silence.
<internal dialogue>
Do not give up.
Omg these look like hieroglyphics how do I make this into jewelry
Rainbows everywhere
I still see waves and islands
Thank you lord for friends that give unlimited retries!
Not feeling the direction of where this is going, no way she’ll wear this.
This is getting real yo.
While I had limited exposure and interest in the world of fine jewelry, Rani challenged me to translate an old, jargon-riddled industry to an audience who values essentialism, meaning, and the way we invest our time in people, things, and ourselves.
Our first attempt was a total miss; our try-hard approach to fine jewelry was cringe-worthy. But the second piece was different, it was pure everyday magic. The piece is budget-friendly, practical, and wearable. It’s a reminder that fine jewelry doesn’t have to break the bank and should complement the subject’s lifestyle, vibe, and unique interests.
We incorporated special meaning for Rani, such as a moss-green colored stone that evokes the gentle reminder of Hawaii and this phase of her life. We also used muted yellow gold, which complements Rani’s skin tone, and accented diamonds that are subtle yet wearable. The pear shape of the jewelry is inspired by natural deviations seen in nature and a reminder of the tropical environment.
Navigating creating pieces from scratch with no direction, minimal budget, and unlimited creativity was challenging. It’s a stark contrast from what we see on Instagram, Pinterest, and popular media. This composition allowed us to create something wearable and personalized, emphasizing the person’s individuality, and allowing the jewelry to serve as an accent and not the show-stopper itself.
You are the showstopper, and we believe in that wholeheartedly!
P.S. pieces typically don’t take 2 years to make. From design conception to delivery, they take 2-8 weeks depending on complexity. This was a “for fun, for hobby” project – it took a bit longer!
Gemstones: 1.45 carats of natural Tourmalines
Diamonds: 0.11 carat of Round Brilliant H color, SI1 clarity natural diamonds
Metal: 10K gold
Included: 16” 10K yg chain
Gemstones: 1.10 ct natural blue-ish green Tourmalines
Diamonds: 0.24 ct Round Brilliant H color, SI1 clarity natural diamonds
Metal: 10K gold