Made by Aiyana
A wooden work table, a soldering iron, and a vase of white lilies are a few of the objects that catch the eye upon entering Aiyana Jaffe’s jewelry studio in Bridgehampton. Pieces from the artist’s most recent collection, “Silver Classics”—a limited series of handmade necklaces, bracelets, and earrings constructed from 100 percent sterling silver—are displayed on a small table beneath the window. Jaffe, who grew up in Bridgehampton and graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 2017, has been working with metal, among other mediums, for years.
The daughter of two local artists, Mary and Miles Jaffe, and granddaughter of the renowned architect Norman Jaffe, Aiyana seems to have inherited the family gene for design. Her jewelry is at once intricately constructed and deceptively simple, employing clean discrete forms—domes, loops, and teardrops—that she handcrafts in her small home workspace.
“I have an active design process,” says Jaffe. “I begin with an initial idea or sketch that then evolves through fabrication tests which explore the physical limits of the material.” The jewelry reflects Jaffe’s unique attention to detail, and a careful consideration of both the wearer and the material. “I find it important to leave traces of my process in each piece, celebrating a jeweler's craft and the rare warmth of the handmade.”
When coming up with concepts for new designs, Jaffe says, “I consider the qualities of something I would like to wear, something unique but simple, wearable and timeless; a modern heirloom of sorts.” When purchasing fine jewelry, there is often a concern about impracticality - “How often will I really wear something like this?” But while Jaffe’s pieces are elegant and of high quality, they are not fancy or fragile, and thus perfect for daily wear. Their simple shapes make them easy to dress up or down. “Most of my pieces are meant to be worn with anything from a ripped T-shirt to a silk dress.”
Jaffe also takes on custom projects, working with clients to transform stones and other precious objects into one-of-a-kind treasures. “I love custom work. I get a chance to work outside the established themes of a particular line. There is also something special about having a piece created just for you.”
Jaffe held her first public studio sale this past August, and future shows are in the works. She is available for one-on-one studio visits, too, and sells her jewelry via her website (aiyanajaffe.com) and Instagram (@aiyanajaffe).