Award-winning Jeweler, Geralyn Sheridan strikes gold in Las Vegas

Golden curves & textures

In the late 90s, while working at Gabrielle Ferrar in downtown Chico, Geralyn noticed that fine jewelry was the one thing people were always happy and excited to buy. Customers usually visited the store with a special person and occasion in mind. Sometimes it was Mother's Day, other times an anniversary, and even the most special occasion for many people: a proposal. No matter what the specifics were, there was always a perfect fine-jewelry fit.

In her life, Geralyn has always had a creative mind. Throughout her career, she has worked with a variety of mediums; and over time she found that an affinity for textures and curves was coming out in all her work. When she began working with precious metals in the jewelry making class at Butte College in 2001, the same curves and textures showed up in her work. It was in this class that she realized she had found her passion in fine jewelry. class, and in 2004 launched her brand, Geralyn Sheridan Designs. She received her GIA Graduate Gemologist certification in 2006 and continued to perfect her craft. After a few years spent designing and creating, Geralyn and her husband Bill opened AicoraGems Jewelry Box in 2008. What started as a small gallery for local artisan jewelers and custom jewelry pieces has become a space for Geralyn to focus on her unique designs and jewelry brand.

Staying true to her aesthetic over time, Geralyn Sheridan’s jewelry incorporates unexpected textures, sculptural curves, and flowing movement. Her two primary lines are Ribbons and Natural Textures, each with very unique and distinct looks. The Ribbons line is curvy and flowing movement, while the Natural Textures line is focused on beautiful textures directly from nature.

The Ribbons line was originally inspired by a nostalgic sweet treat, ribbon candy. These days, you can usually find ribbon candy during the winter holidays, but you've got to look a little harder than in the past. Still, many people cherish the memories of receiving a ribbon of candy from a loved one.

Through honing her skills and refining her designs, Geralyn was able to redefine the elegance of this sweet treat. She transformed the signature curves of this delicate confection into beautifully wearable eye candy.

Aesthetically, the Ribbons collection is all about curves and movement. To Geralyn, it's also a nostalgic connection to her childhood and her family. Whether fashioned into earrings, a pendant, or a custom clasp for your pearls, our ribbons of gold show off their shine with every move you make. They look great with diamonds, colored stones, or pearls, but can also stand on their own as simply striking fine jewelry. Her Ribbons can be big and bold or soft and subtle. They can

be simple or elaborate. They may have stones or they may stand alone. But no matter what, each Ribbon’s piece embodies curvy elegance.

In contrast, the Natural Textures line is all about capturing the beauty nature creates for us and turning it to fine jewelry. In this line, Geralyn casts natural, found items into precious metals to capture their texture. “The first time I saw a branch that had been cast,” she said, “I was just in awe of how beautiful and cool it was. I was amazed that when you cast something into metal, the natural texture just stands out so much more - and it's permanent.”

The creation process for the Natural Textures pieces is somewhat experimental, which Geralyn is genuinely excited about each time. She has cast willow branches, seed pods, and even sugar in order to capture their unique textures. The investment process in lost wax casting involves water, so casting sugar was a unique undertaking. When Geralyn found a process that preserved the crystal form in the texture of the finished piece, it was all the more exciting.

In addition to the true joy she gets from creating her lines, Geralyn has also been recognized for many of her pieces. “One of the best pieces of advice I got from a colleague was from Cindy Edelstein”, Geralyn recalls, ”She said “Just apply for everything you can.” And so, she did. Her first award came from the Coyote Gallery Student Art Show in 2007, where her curves in copper won first place. After that, awards kept coming in and she was recognized by the Niche Awards, JCK Jewelers’ Choice Awards, INSTORE Design Awards, and more.

Most recently, three pieces from her Ribbons line have won awards in 2020 and in 2021. The Mitsuro Hikime ring won Retailer’s Choice and was a finalist in the INSTORE Design Awards 2020. A sculptural diamond pendant and set of earring jackets won in two separate categories in the JCK Design Awards at the JCK Las Vegas tradeshow in August of this year.

If you love unique pieces of jewelry by true artisans, Geralyn Sheridan is the perfect designer for you. Her curvy ribbons of gold or and striking natural textures can be found at AicoraGems Jewelry Box in Chico, which is open by appointment and special holiday hours. To contact the gallery or discuss a design appointment, please contact Geralyn at 530-519-4367 or by email at gg@geralynsheridan.com.