Katie of Lady Gem Jewelry has been creating gorgeous stone jewelry and more that you’ll catch at local markets, online, and at Discontent! She’s got an extensive history of training and studying the craft and it’s so fun to hear how those experiences led to the handcrafted work she does now. Plus—find out what stone is also called a “Northern Lights Rock”

Describe what type of products you make under Lady Gem Jewelry.

My current wearable art display features wire-wrapped stone pendants, rings and earrings, charm necklaces and earrings, hand-crafted stone bracelets, and handstitched beaded bracelets.

Tell us how you got started with your businesses.

My journey into jewelry-making began over 25 years ago when I was pretty young. My Mom brought me to Hemp & Bead, a jewelry supply store that used to be in downtown Fargo. I was hooked and have been creating jewelry ever since.

Over the years, I’ve explored many forms of wearable art. I studied silversmithing and metalwork at Cal Poly State University in Arcata, CA, and learned lampworking and glassblowing from a talented local artist. I managed Beads on Broadway for six years and taught classes there. In 2016, I officially launched my business and began sharing my work through craft shows and online.

Though my techniques and materials have changed and evolved, my passion for creating has remained constant. I have experimented with everything from resin and metal etching to glass and silver, but my heart has found its home in stonework, wire wrapping, and stitch-work.

What are your personal favorite items you’ve created so far?

Some of my personal favorites have actually come from custom orders. It is so rewarding to see someone’s eyes light up when they see a piece that was created just for them, with their ideas and input.

One of my favorite custom orders was for a former classmate, and now friend. She approached me about a custom wire-wrapped Tree of Life pendant. She wanted the four classical elements represented, as well as spirt and grounding.

I settled on a composite Ethiopian opal cabochon. In the branches of the tree, I used garnet for fire, labradorite for wind, malachite for earth, and moonstone for water. I incorporated a few hematite beads in the roots of the tree to represent grounding and crystal quarts intertwined in the tree trunk to represent spirit. It was such a fun and unique piece to make.

What is the most popular item you specifically sell?

Wire-wrapped stone rings are probably my most popular item, with customers often purchasing more than one at a time. I use sterling silver wire and genuine semiprecious stones, ensuring high quality at a reasonable price. I have a lot of repeat customers coming back to buy more rings with different stones.

Wire-wrapped stone pendants are in a close second. I use sterling silver wire and genuine semiprecious stones in the pedants as well. Each one is unique, no two stones are ever the same, which makes them extra special. In addition to more well-known stones, I also offer rarer stones that customers don’t usually stumble across. Each pendant comes with a chain, so customers can walk away wearing it.

What is the most challenging thing?

One of the most significant challenges in jewelry making is establishing reliable relationships with trustworthy gem miners and lapidary artists to source authentic, high-quality stones. Building good relationships with reputable suppliers is important to ensure that the gemstones I use are not only genuine but also responsibly obtained to provide quality and integrity in each piece I create.

What is your favorite stone to work with?

That is such a hard question. I have so many favorite stones and it is hard to pick just one. But, I think labradorite (sometimes called “Northern Lights Stone”) is my favorite stone to work with. I love that it is a dark stone but it is able to cast such a bright, colorful flash. The flash in every piece of Labradoite is different. It’s just so cool!

What is something people might find surprising about working with stones?

I think people might be surprised by the variety of gemstones out there. As of 2025, the International Mineralogical Association recognizes over 6,100 different mineral species. Each of these minerals can form unique gemstones, offering a stunning array of colors, shapes, and properties.

The stories behind these stones are equally fascinating. Gemstones are formed through various geological processes, such as crystallizing from hot fluids deep within the Earth or cooling from molten rock during volcanic eruptions. Some, like opals, develop when liquids seep into cracks and solidify. Understanding where they’re found and how they’re formed adds a whole new layer of appreciation for their beauty and rarity.

Where can people find your work?

People can find my work locally at some of the Unglued Markets, and the Night Bazaar Markets hosted by Folkways, and I will be set up at the Red River Market every Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m. from July 12 to October 25. I also have a small amount of jewelry available at Discontent in downtown Fargo.

Lady Gem Jewelry
ladygemjewelry.com
Facebook | /Ladygypsyjewelry
Instagram | @lady_gem_jewelry