Angela Cummings sterling cuff bracelet, 41.2dwts

Angela Cummings
(Source: morelledavidson.com) Born in Austria, 1944, three years later her parents relocated to the United States. Angela returned to Europe to study gold smithery and gemmology in Germany, and art history in Italy. This education gave her an erudite edge to her designs.

After graduating she returned to America, taking a position at Tiffany & Co. in 1968. She was guided by the already well established designer, Donald Claflin also designing at that time for Tiffanys.

In 1975, while still working at Tiffanys, she launched her own independent collection. Angela continued working for Tiffanys until 1984. For her exceptional work during this time, she is one of the few designers, along with her contemporaries Donald Claflin, Paloma Picasso and Elsa Peretti, given the honour of signing their own work at the legendary New York jewellery firm.

In the same year she left Tiffanys, she established her own business with her husband, Bruce Cummings, a gemmologist who had also been working at Tiffanys. Needless to say, Angelas imagination flourished designing without the constraints of Tiffanys. Her creativity gained new freedom, integrating south sea pearls and black diamonds with silver to create a unique pieces.

The first Angela Cummings Fine Jewellery Boutique opened in the New York department store, Bergdorf Goodman on 5th Avenue. The success of this boutique led to Cummings quickly expanding to open more in Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus and Saks 5th Avenue.

Angela encouraged a democratisation of Fine Jewellery, with prices ranging from $100-$100,000, consciously to reach all budgets.

Angela Cummings has also adapted to design other objects. She collaborated with Candies, an American fashion brand. With Candies she designed a series of shoes sold in aid of the American Cancer Society. Cummings also collaborated with Estee Lauder to produce a limited edition collection of miniature perfume bottles that double as pendants.

Good condition overall