Katie (Katherine) Simonetti and her husband Alex (Alexander) Tolini run Katherine Alexander Fine Jewelry. It is a collaboration and labor of love. Katie is the designer, bench jeweler and founder and Alex makes sure things run smoothly.

Our mission at KAFJ is to make pieces that bring joy and love into the world and believe that everyday is an occasion to wear beautiful jewelry. We strive to make jewelry with an intrinsic sense of quality and style that brings out the best in the wearer everyday.

Katie’s Artist Statement

I love making jewelry.   Like many artists, my interest was sparked as a child, but it wasn’t until I sat at a jeweler’s bench at Skidmore College that I knew jewelry was “it” for me.   Skidmore laid the foundation, but my traditional training took place at the North Bennet Street School.   NBSS is the oldest trade school in the country and it was one of the hardest things I have ever done- but I am so thankful for all that I gained from my time there.

I am recently back to the bench as a maker full-time after about a decade detour in the auction world.   There I was lucky enough to work with some fabulous antique, vintage and simply outstanding jewelry.  I gained a deeper knowledge and appreciation for jewelry than sitting at the bench allowed for.

The additional exposure to estate and antique jewelry has greatly influenced my new collections.  I am endlessly inspired by jewelry from antiquity and Art Deco and Modernist designs- and I strive to use them as a basis for all my pieces.

I work in gold and silver and my pieces are mostly fabricated or cast.  I love wax carving and use a wonderful caster in Raleigh, NC to do my casting for me.  I also source parts, such as gemstones, findings and chains, and incorporate them into my handmade designs.   Once my pieces are cast or fabrication is complete, I do all of my own finish work and stone setting.