“And your necklace? That’s from your NYSD award-winning collection, Old New York, correct?”

Gemma nodded. “It’s all charm jewelry. The first pieces were inspired by the Casterbridge hotel. I collected all the brass letters from the guest rooms and made molds. This ‘G’ is one of them. Other charms are made from collectibles I found scouring flea markets around the city. All the charms have symbolic meaning for New Yorkers—like the subway tokens that were taken out of circulation sixteen years ago. Or this key to Gramercy Park.”

“Great idea. And so the charms can be mixed and matched to different chains?”

“Exactly. I work in silver, brass, and gold-plated steel. My chains are custom-designed so the charms clip easily on and off. I use a large lobster clasp that I find to be the most wearer-friendly.”

The reporter asked her about her studio and how much business she did online versus in physical retail sales. Without a good cover story, Gemma admitted she got booted out of her apartment for using it as a pop-up shop, and thankfully, Regan laughed. “Is that why you’re on the Cape for the summer?”

“I can really focus on the work here. And I’ve already been to some local estate sales. This area is full of interesting collectibles.”

“So maybe we’ll be seeing an Old Cape Cod collection next?” Regan said.

“I don’t know. I might want to do something more general that really opens my pieces up for the individual to create their own meaning. My dream is that someone who buys a GEMMA necklace today will keep adding to it throughout his or her life. It’s meant to grow with the wearer. In other generations, jewelry was something people got as gifts. Like, for some women, their first real piece of jewelry might be their engagement ring. But that’s old thinking. I believe the future of jewelry is gifts to ourselves. I want us to mark our own milestones, big and small.”

It was the first time she’d said the words out loud, but it instantly gave her the idea for a future collection she could call Mile Stones. She’d have to remember to write that down after the interview.

Regan smiled. “It’s interesting to hear you speak of the traditional engagement ring as passé considering your family essentially put them on the map.”

Gemma swallowed hard and reached for her water bottle. She’d been realistic enough to expect the question and mentally prepared for talking about the Pavlins. At least, she thought she had. Now that it was happening, it took her a moment to find her voice.

“I didn’t grow up with that side of my family,” she said carefully. “So it’s not that remarkable that I have a different idea of jewelry.”