Ilene Schwartz Biography

“I strive for simplicity in classic feminine forms, keeping in mind the piece is meant to be worn."

Ilene Schwartz has been making jewelry in one form or another since she was six years old. She holds an Associate degree in graphic arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in metals from the Tyler School of Art at Temple University. After graduating, she worked for several years at small family-owned jewelry businesses developing her skills before striking out on her own. For the past 30+ years she maintained her own studio, designing and making jewelry. She sells online and exhibits at craft shows.

Ilene’s work is a combination of 18 Karat gold, sterling silver, and a variety of beautiful gemstones. Clean contemporary earrings and pendants suggest a happy movement that is figurative and playful yet infinitely wearable. Her jewelry is a juxtaposition of the unique beauty of gemstones and simple classic settings.

All of Ilene’s pieces are hand fabricated. She loves to transform sheet and wire into three-dimensional forms. She also uses line and negative space and constructs individual bezels for the unique stones she uses. Much of her work is given a soft matte finish with additional texture added by chasing or engraving. The ability to combine texture and color is her version of painting.