Today we’d like to introduce you to Roya.
Hi Roya, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My first love for jewelry started with antique pieces: those timeless, unique treasures that carry beautiful stories and history in every detail. But truly, everything changed for me during a trip to Paris, where I met an amazing jewelry designer creating her own pieces in Montmartre, right on the steps of the Sacré-Cœur. I sat with her and she generously taught me a French wire-wrap technique using bronze and sterling wire. That moment was over 20 years ago, and I’ve been creating ever since.
After that, I took every opportunity to learn more. I studied at Saddleback College in Orange County and later at GIA in Carlsbad, where I earned my Applied Jewelry Arts degree. Along the way, I learned everything from working with pearls and semi-precious stones to soldering, bezel setting, and grading diamonds, and I am still learning about jewelry everyday.
Now at my shop, Royan Jewelry in Laguna Beach, I get to share my handmade designs with wonderful clients from all over the world. Every piece I make is a little piece of my story, as a reflection of my love for craftsmanship and the joy of creating something meaningful, beautiful, and lasting.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
As a small business owner in Laguna Beach since 1996, I’ve learned that running your own shop means wearing many hats: from sourcing materials and designing collections to photographing pieces, managing social media, and greeting clients who walk into Royan Jewelry every day.
Time management has probably been my biggest challenge, but it’s taught me so much. I’ve learned that I can’t compare my journey to anyone else’s. The most important thing is to stay true to my own ideas, follow my intuition, and keep moving forward one day at a time. Every artist has their own rhythm, and the more I embrace that, the more my creativity flows naturally. And, when you create from the heart, the right people always find you.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
At Royan Jewelry, I design and create one-of-a-kind, handmade pieces that blend vintage charm with modern design. My first love has always been antique jewelry, so I often start with a vintage element, with an old watch fob, brooch, or charm, and reimagine it into something completely new. I love mixing these treasures with gemstones like moonstone, labradorite, pearls, sapphires, and tourmaline.
Each piece tells its own story, and no two are ever the same. That’s something my clients really connect with: they know they’re wearing something truly unique. I want every person who wears my jewelry to feel that it’s truly theirs. I’m constantly inspired by history, art, and nature, and I love that my work allows me to combine all of those passions.
What sets Royan Jewelry apart is that each piece is made by hand, with love and attention to detail, right here in my Laguna Beach studio. I am proud to have created a place filled with creativity and ocean light. I love when people wander in because something in the window caught their eye. It’s such a joy to welcome visitors, share stories, and help them find or design a piece that feels like theirs. I put my heart into every piece, and I think people can feel that when they see or wear my jewelry. I’m proud that my clients don’t just buy jewelry, they collect memories.
How do you define success?
For me, success is very personal: it’s those everyday moments that remind me why I love what I do. When someone comes back to Royan Jewelry years later wearing my jewelry and telling me how much they still adore the piece I made for them, that’s the greatest feeling. Every time someone chooses to wear a piece I’ve created, it feels like sharing a part of my story with them and in return, it becomes part of theirs. Many of them return year after year, or bring a friend or family member to share the experience, and that’s what inspires me to keep evolving and creating.
Even when someone new walks in and says they were drawn in by the window display, it makes my heart happy. Knowing that something I created with my own hands can bring someone joy or make them feel special, that’s true success for me.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to keep growing Royan Jewelry: exploring new materials, creating more one-of-a-kind pieces, and connecting with even more amazing clients. I feel so grateful to do what I love every day and to share that joy with others.
Pricing:
- $50 and up Sterling silver jewelry
- $100 and up unique one of kind hand made
- $500 and up curated fine jewelry
- $500 and up curated vintage and antique pieces
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.royanjewelry.com
- Instagram: @Royanjewelry
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/Royanhandmadejewelry
