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About NOEL
Born in Los Angeles, California, Noel Cheney grew up in beautiful Winterthur,
Switzerland. She had the great fortune of growing up in a household where art
was an integral part of her life – her mother being a multi-talented craft
artist. Noel’s fascination with the jewelry industry began early on, collecting
stones as a child, and deepened after spending several summers in her early
twenties apprenticing at a jeweler and lapidary cutter in Idar-Oberstein,
Germany.
After returning from an inspirational year-long trip around the world – taking
her from Switzerland through Asia, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Fidji,
French Polynesia, the Easter Island and South America – she realized that the
time was right to embark on her true calling. In 1994 Noel moved to the United
States to pursue her studies at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) where
she graduated in 1995 and then joined the GIA staff. Continuing her career in
the jewelry industry, she also worked in a retail store, honing her skills in
retail and design, and in 1997 moved to New York to work for Jewelers of America
(JA). In 2000 Noel relocated back to California and became the Executive
Director of the California Jewelers Association (CJA). Following in the
footsteps of many of her CJA member retailer and designer friends she finally
branched out on her own in 2003 and launched NOEL Fine Jewelry.
Awards and Accolades
February 2004 – Honored by the California Jewelers Association (CJA) for
her service and commitment to the Jewelry Industry
2004 & 2005 – Nominated by Colored Stone Magazine’s Designer of the Year
Poll
September 2004 – Interviewed by ABC’s “20/20”
2005 – 1st place winner of Colored Stone Magazine’s
Designer of the Year Poll |
Noel’s life is her inspiration: the love and passion she has for her husband,
her family and friends, the nature that surrounds her in her home by the San
Francisco Bay and the way in which she is able to artfully and gracefully
combine past experiences with a wonderful present and a very exciting future.
May
her passion for life become Your Everyday Joie De Vivre.
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