Vanessa Fernández is a Miami Born, Cuban Armenian American Jewelry Designer and Bench Jeweler.

She holds a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from VCU arts, school of Fine Arts. After graduating from art school, she was invited to join the design team at John Hardy Jewelry as an intern, located in Bali, Indonesia working alongside former head designer, Guy Bedarida. Shortly thereafter, Vanessa moved to Paris and began working with the design team at Lorenz Bäumer, Louis Vuitton in Place Vendôme, Paris France where she was responsible for hand drawing high jewelry renderings. She was then pulled to Japan several times over the course of a year where she was contracted to partner with Christies, Tasaki & Gucci, on a project which benefited the Nippon Foundation in Japan. The project was led by Hidetoshi Nakata which resulted in a one of a kind Tasaki Pearl cuff sold at auction later that year.

Vanessa has a private, full jewelry studio in Miami where she designs and renders by hand, sculpts wax models, creates custom alloy, casts, finishes and crafts her pieces entirely by hand. She creates pieces for her collection “Curva” throughout the year while simultaneously creating custom works for her private clientele, including private brands she consults for.

In 2021 Vanessa was established within the US Department of State and The White House as the White House Goldsmith. She designs and handcrafts jewelry as a private jeweler to The Office of the First Lady, Office of the President of the United States, Vice President as well as the Department of State. She has been honored multiple times throughout the year with honorary mentions, and has had the privilege of providing hand crafted pieces to numerous heads of state throughout the world over the past 4 years. Vanessa continues to work directly with the US Department of State, office of Protocol for State Visits and continues to provide handcrafted custom works gifted to foreign heads of state.

The Brand

VF as a brand aims to create one-of-a-kind, high end, sculptural jewels. Sustainability and ethically sourced materials is top priority. Vanessa's collections are created with an absolute passion for excellence in craftsmanship & creative design heavily informed by research and experimentation. The brand does not mold work for future replications nor does the brand 3d print. Each piece crafted in the studio is made entirely by hand each time to ensure both quality as well as exclusivity of product and inherently precious value associated with one of a kind handcrafted jewels.

Vanessa crafts custom pieces for a range of private clientele throughout the year. Her goal is to provide an intimate experience for her clients by guiding them to purchase fine colored gems and unique diamonds from only the most excellent and highly regarded resources.

Her designs can be described as sculptural, bold, feminine and colorful. She remains mindful to create both sculpture and ornament, engaging with her materials, pushing herself to create works that challenge her as a goldsmith. Her goal is to design jewelry that appears effortless, regardless of the control and precision they demand when sculpting.

The tactility and warmth of her pieces play an essential role to the experience of wearing them, aside of design she feels there is nothing more vital to the jewel than the way it interacts with the skin. Whether it hangs off the ear or hugs the finger, she believes comfort is essential. Vanessa is not interested in the dainty or delicate jewel, but rather the bold and colorful. Creating movement within her sculptural pieces is imperative, convincing you that what is firmly ridged simultaneously appears smooth and malleable, she is inspired by the seductive power of the female form and fluidity of gold as a material.

Vanessa has been honored with multiple awards and mentions. Of most notable and recent, Vanessa won Best in Bridal, at Couture 2024. JCK editors choice award in Pearls 2024. Jewelers of America C.A.S.E Award 2024. She’s also been featured in Vogue, Elle, The New York Times, and Harper’s Bazaar.

She is a proud GIA Alumni, a member of the American Gem Society, a member of The Society of North American Goldsmiths, the Jewelers Board of Trade, and Jewelers of America.