Lapis Ball Drop Earrings - Mateo New York

I was born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the son of a seamstress. I arrived to the US at the age of 16 to attend Southern New Hampshire University to complete a B.S in Hospitality Management. After completing my studies, I discovered my true passion in New York City - the art of Jewelry making. Being a self taught designer, I spent much of my time in the jewelry district learning and perfecting the craft. After honing my craft, Mateo New York was launched in March of 2009. The brand began solely focused on men’s jewelry, with the first collection pulling inspiration from the concept of a working man’s toolbox. After the success of the men’s collection, a women’s capsule collection was introduced shortly after. However in 2014, a strategic decision was made to refocus the brand, and thus our women’s fine jewelry collection was launched. The fine jewelry collections bare our true aesthetic of simplicity and minimalism, drawing inspiration from modern art for the modern woman. Each piece is made from 14KT gold with a consistent use of diamonds and precious gemstones. Today the brand is sold in some of the best retailers worldwide including Bergdorf Goodman, Colette, Harvey Nichols, Sak's Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales, Moda Operandi, & Luisa Via Roma, to name a few. The brand also features regularly in renowned fashion publications such as Vogue Paris, W Magazine, The New York Times Style Magazine, Marie Claire, Allure, WWD and InStyle. Mateo New York was also selected by the Smithsonian Museum to be featured and sold at the African American Museum of Art and Culture in Washington D.C in 2016, and the Smithsonian Hirshhorn Museum of Contemporary Art in 2017. Following the elevated direction of the brand, there has been tremendous growth allowing us to open our first flagship store in the heart of SoHo, New York City in December of 2016. We were also a 2017 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Finalist. Much of Mateo New York’s success is due to a continuous effort in making modern, relatable fine jewelry at an approachable price point. The fine jewelry collections bare our true aesthetic of simplicity and minimalism, drawing inspiration from modern art for the modern woman. Each piece is made from 14KT gold with a consistent use of diamonds and precious gemstones.