Monica Rich Kosann’s collection of 18-karat gold and sterling silver lockets, charm bracelets, necklaces, poesy rings and other fine jewelry is rooted in the idea that every woman has a story to tell.

Rich Kosann’s began her career as a fine art portrait photographer using black and white film and darkroom techniques that are wholly unique in our digital age. The personal nature and heirloom quality of her portraits informed her interest in jewelry design. She started creating lockets and charm bracelets, which she launched at Bergdorf Goodman and a select group of fine jewelers. Today, all her collections are offered in her lifestyle shop at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus and over 100 fine jewelry and specialty stores.

For the designer, the jewelry design process is driven by one question: “Can a woman give this piece of jewelry to her daughter in 20 years?” she says. “I hope that my collection creates modern heirlooms fusing timeless heritage of design with a contemporary and modern sensibility for our generation. My pieces maintain an enduring sense of fashion with timeless style. Living and cherishing stories is universal to us all. A locket depicts a moment unique to the wearer. A Charm Necklace captures a singular idea about the woman who wears it, while a charm bracelet celebrates the story of that woman’s life—in a way, it is like a fingerprint, totally unique to the wearer.”

Monica Rich Kosann has published Living With What You Love with the Clarkson Potter division of Random House, and her newest book A Possession Obsession will be published in the fall of 2016 by Glitterati Incorporated.

Monica Rich Kosann has been a CFDA Member since 2010.