From the June 2022 issue of #thisispearl digital magazine

Given that five generations of Mazzas before Alexis Mazza of LexiMazz Jewelry chose a career path of fine jeweler, it’s not too surprising that she did as well. (Mazza’s family owns The Mazza Company, a familiar firm at many national jewelry trade fairs.) “I’ve slept, breathed, and eaten jewelry my whole life!” Mazza jokes about her fine-jewelry design business unveiled in 2018.

Mazza studied jewelry design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, a move that validated her professional path. After graduation, she worked for some jewelry firms in Manhattan to cement her skills before entering the 2017 Centurion Emerging Jeweler Design Competition. She was one of several designers who won recognition and the opportunity to exhibit signature looks at the show organizer’s Scottsdale, Ariz.–based show that year. Her aesthetic? Flirty-looking minimalist 14k yellow gold and diamond jewels with modern applications of cultured pearls. “I always loved the idea of a pearl strand but have never been the traditional-jewelry type,” she explains.

Her lightbulb moment arrived while scrolling social media and some of her favorite shopping sites—think Moda Operandi and Saks. She saw some clever designs with pearls in fine and fashion jewelry and decided to better explore the use of pearls herself. “I saw an open window for me in contemporary jewelry with pearls that challenged classical looks.” The end results included some celebrated pearl-heavy styles, including her Diana’s Love pearl hoops in a heart shape featuring white freshwater pearls. These earrings earned a top prize in the 2019 International Pearl Design Competition produced by CPAA.

“I love pearls because of the different colors they grow in, and all their complex hues and the luster each one has,” Mazza explains. “With pearls, you can get a refined, polished look or a totally different baroque one with a raw organic vibe. There are lots of plays on design you can do with pearls.”

What is your best pearl memory? It was when I unveiled my line at London Fashion Week in 2019. I had a booth with other emerging talent at an event in a restaurant and bar. I remember standing in the middle of the whole booth area of this big lounge in a fiery red outfit with a pair of my big pearl hoops on. There were a lot of retailers and influencers, a runway show, and exchanging of cards—it was an inspirational event. This is when it hit me, I had broken through! It was a powerful moment.

Who are your pearl mentors? My mom and dad, Jeff and Diana Mazza. My mom loves pearls, so I grew up loving them. And my dad would use pearls in designs with different types of toggle closures. My parents showed me that pearls can be elegant and unique.

What would you have done if you didn’t work in the pearl industry? I would work in accessories or apparel because I love the design world.

Does someone famous own your pearls? Someone famous has worn them but not owned them—yet. One of the Real Housewives of Atlanta and Olympian Sanya Richards-Ross has been seen wearing a pair of my pearl hoops and was raving about them on her social platforms.

Favorites

Hashtag?

#pearlfection

Type of pearl?

White South Sea and any variety of baroque. I love the raw shapes!

Piece of pearl jewelry?

I love a thick golden pearl choker of multistrands that cover the neck!

Vacation spot?

Maldives

Coffee or tea? Coffee.

Dogs or cats? Dogs.

Wine or whiskey? Both.

Ocean or lake? Ocean.

Winter or summer? Summer.

City or country? Both.

Party or party of two? Both—depends on my mood!