WHITNEY BOIN
Whitney Boin designs precious jewelry with his hands and his heart. He has a reputation as one of the most innovative and technically proficient jewelry
designers in the world. His award-winning original designs for engagement rings, diamond necklaces and pearl bracelets have propelled him to international acclaim.
The story of how he became recognized as an artist and a leader in the field is a tribute to his innate talent. Born in New Jersey to parents who were craftsmen, Whitney Boin began making art in high school. He won his first awards, The Golden Hammer Award for a mahogany table and several Scholastic Golden Keys Awards for jewelry design and sculpture, when he was 17. “I found that the process of creating jewelry was an intense struggle to come up with a different solution, followed by a defining moment when it all comes together,” Boin remembers. “I was as surprised as anyone that jewelry would completely change my life.”
He studied at the Rochester Institute of Technology’s School for American Craftsmen. When he was 20 he took a leave of absence, convinced his parents to invest the balance of his college tuition fund in platinum and diamonds, and created pieces to enter competitions. It was not the last risk he would take. From that point on, his passion was to create pieces that presented something beyond the traditional stone in a setting. “I want a look that is classical, but with the engineering and the feel that represents what is going on today. “ His ability to invent designs
that were reminiscent of intriguing works of architecture and sculpture was immediately recognized.
Each major piece he designed that won an award became the cornerstone of a new Collection. His “Rain Cloud” diamond necklace won The Diamonds Today Award. His Vertebrae Collection was created after the Japan Pearl Society presented Boin the International Pearl Design Award for a pearl bracelet. “ When I created Vertebrae, I analyzed jewelry as sculpture in motion,” Boin says. “Jewelry differs from sculpture in that it’s worn on the body. The way it’s worn gives the piece kinetic energy. The motion of the body is as important as the materials, how they are set, and how they’re polished. All contribute to how the piece moves visually.”
“Award competitions are a way to step out of what I usually do and make a statement about what is going on at the time… an invitation to create something that is larger than life,” says Boin. The Post Collection was inspired when DeBeers presented the Diamonds of Distinction Award to Boin. It has become recognized internationally as a new definition in jewelry design. Engagement rings from the Post Collection are renowned for their purity of form. “It is classic, simple elegance that appeals to me the most,” says Boin. “My clients are often those who want pieces that capture the beauty and structure of well-designed architecture.”
Whitney Boin collections have been exhibited in London, Tokyo, Venice and major U.S. cities. In 1999 Boin founded the International Jewelry Design Guild and is a founding member of the American Jewelry Design Council. Married with two sons. His hobbies include biking, woodworking and watching Formula One races.