Spotlight on Fannie Thomas

Fannie Thomas

Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend

BY SALLIE LEWIS

San Antonio designer Fannie Thomas knows a thing or two about jewelry. After graduating from Texas Christian University with a degree in Advertising and Graphic Design, she pursued her passion of jewelry design at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in New York City. There, she completed the institution’s prestigious Graduate Gemologist Program.

While living in New York, Fannie worked under the tutelage of renowned jewelry atelier Julius Cohen, where she fell in love with the art of fine jewelry making. From polishing to carving and cleaning castings, she learned many of her skills from the brightest in the industry while working on the atelier’s revered benches.

These days, in a market where mass-produced, machine-made goods seem increasingly commonplace, Fannie’s commitment to the handmade and quality craftsmanship is a welcome change of pace. She keeps that tradition alive at Fannie Thomas Fine Jewelry, which she first founded in 2013 under the name of Lewis & Heard Designs.

Today, the designer runs her growing business from her hometown of San Antonio, where she lives with her husband, Clayton, her two young sons, Wells and Charlie, and their Labrador Retriever, Indigo. Last year, she launched a complete rebrand, unveiling a new logo, an updated website, and fresh packaging. Furthermore, she continues to offer both an affordable, every day fashion line and a fine jewelry collection filled with specially made investment pieces.

The former is comprised of natural elements, like horn, bone, and sterling silver, with sweet motifs inspired by nature, be it ceramic ladybugs or gilded honeybees, for example. The designer believes jewelry should be personal, and she has enjoyed customizing these pieces over the years with ranch brands and monograms along with meaningful motifs that reflect the client’s unique story.

Most recently, Fannie has been focused on expanding her fine jewelry collection which is both polished and playful. The designer draws inspiration from the ancient symbolism of gemstones and her extensive travels abroad, along with Mother Nature, whose shapes and colors are reflected in her designs, be it leaves carved of lavender amethyst or slices of dendritic agate paired with South Sea pearls.

Since founding her collection eight years ago, the San Antonio native has grown her brand and expanded her reach, and she has no plans of slowing down. In addition to raising her family and running her business, she continues to help her clientele with wide-ranging needs, from making custom engagement rings to reworking and creating priceless heirlooms for generations to come. “This industry is so special because it allows you to be a part of such intimate moments in people’s lives,” said Fannie. “To be able to do that in my hometown is a dream come true.”

Shop online at https://www. fanniethomas.com/ and follow Fannie on Instagram at @fannie_thomas_ fine_jewelry