We are so grateful to our inaugural Shine Awards Commission Artist, Chela Gurnee, who is producing original (and wearable) works of art for our honorees.

Modern silhouette meets innovative structure, simple sophistication and grounding gem-work in Chela Gurnee’s versatile jewelry. Gurnee is a savvy, contemporary jeweler in New Mexico. She handcrafts standout pieces using sterling silver, beach pebbles, agates and semi-precious stones.

Gurnee meticulously crafts rings, pendants, cuffs and earrings with an eye toward beauty, modernity, quality, and healing. Gorgeous agates, the New Mexico desert, and healing through artifact inspire her head-turning designs.

Although Gurnee has been designing and making jewelry since 1991, she took a break from the trade in 2005 to focus on a career in marketing. Her return to jewelry design in 2014 inspired a healing process that she uses with intention in each of her pieces—she selects stones and gems not only for aesthetic attributes but also for grounding qualities.

Gurnee’s comeback is much celebrated within the Albuquerque community. She tied with renowned New Mexico jeweler Lilly Barrack for “Best Jewelry Artist” in the Weekly Alibi’s “Best of Burque” annual readers survey in 2015.

In her free time, Gurnee strives for a beautiful and well-balanced life that inspires and sustains the harmony in her work. When she isn’t designing and crafting jewelry, Gurnee draws, gardens, bikes, enjoys the Albuquerque community and plays with her dogs Jethro and Jasper.