Catherine Canino

Catherine Canino will tell you she has been designing jewelry since her first pasta and yarn necklace at a kitchen table in Connecticut, 1972. Yes, that was the start of everything.

The Catherine Canino brand began in a studio apartment on the Upper East Side with a slightly illegal torch, a tumbler, and many late nights of hand crafting each piece.  Her inspiration comes from what Catherine calls the “darn beautiful world we live in.” In particular, from antique jewelry, equestrian tack, nautical hardware, and vintage magazines. Most inspiring though, are the stylish women of all ages that wear Catherine Canino’s pieces with personal adaptation.

Catherine has made her mark in the jewelry world with her signature pebble pearls - a hand crafted composite: mother of pearl shell is crushed, formed into the pebble shape, then lacquered and polished 18 times to draw out the shell’s luster and hue. An organic material with a human touch, these shell-based pearls feature natural variances.

Catherine is proud to tell people that her production studio is located in the heart of Manhattan’s jewelry district, making the collection entirely handmade in NYC since 1999. A team of 20 artisans and skilled crafts people cast, assemble, solder, polish, plate, string, cement and seal each piece with love and attention to detail every day. 

Here are answers to some questions  you might have about Catherine Canino’s jewelry:

Are these pearls real?  Catherine’s signature pebble pearls are a handcrafted composite:  mother of pearl shell is crushed, formed into the pebble shape, then lacquered and polished 18 times to draw out the shell’s luster and hue. Catherine wanted to deliver the look of pearl without the quick degradation.  

What type of metal is used?  Catherine’s National Women’s History Museum collection is handmade of classic, polished 14 karat gold over brass 

Please note her gold plating is to the industry standard of 5mils.

Shop more pieces from Catherine's collection here.