Confessions of a Jewelry Designer: What’s Really in the Drawer?

There's a drawer in my studio that most people never see.

Inside are paper-wrapped gemstone packs I purchased years ago -- some labeled, some questionable, some completely forgotten. Recently, I started opening them on camera. And the response surprised me.

Watch the Confessions Series in Action

This Isn't Just an Unboxing

What you're watching isn't just an unboxing. It's the real decision-making process behind handcrafted gemstone jewelry. Not every stone gets used. Not every label is accurate. Not every gem deserves a setting.

The Confessions series shows how a jewelry designer evaluates gemstones, questions labels, studies cut and light performance, and ultimately decides what becomes wearable art. When a stone reveals something special, it earns its place in a small-batch release in our one of a kind collection.

Get First Access to Confessions Drops

When a stone leaves the drawer, it becomes part of a limited release. Email subscribers receive early access before new pieces go public. Follow along at @vaeldesigns on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook.

The drawer isn't empty -- but once a piece leaves it, it doesn't go back.