A graduate of the Gemological Institute of America, Ali Galgano has been in the jewelry business for more than 15 years and opened the Serpentine Townhouse in Greenwich in 2022. A striking blonde with a bold sartorial style, she began by making engagement rings for her friends and quickly segued into custom designs. Frustrated that people were falling victim to inferior quality stones at inflated prices, she saw an opportunity. And thus, Serpentine Jewels was born.
By appointment only, the process begins with an initial phone consultation. Galgano asks a plethora of questions, seeking to know the client’s jewelry history, the contents of their existing collection, and what it currently lacks. “Everyone has a jewelry story to tell,” she says. Next, she and her in-house team meet with the client at the Townhouse, sketching ideas and presenting stone options. Finally, the approved design is sent to her manufacturing team in New York City.
Multicolored sapphire, emerald and diamond Dinner ring, in 18k yellow gold.
Serpentine Bookend rings with baguette and pear-shaped diamonds in 18k yellow gold.
Convertible diamond earrings with an emerald-cut stud base, and a lozenge, round, emerald and shield cut diamond attachment, in platinum.
Ring with fancy yellow, radiant-cut diamond with bezel set bullet side stones in platinum.
Galgano is passionate about “breathing new life into jewelry.” One way she does this is by the creation of “transformers.” For example, she takes an engagement ring and creates a bespoke jeweled “jacket” for it, which slips on and off the original setting to create a glamorous cocktail ring. Similarly, simple diamond stud earrings can be converted by using gemmed jackets that surround the central diamond. Additionally, the studs can get a cascade of diamonds, which attach to the earrings’ posts to create a dramatic dangling pair. (All of Galgano’s diamonds are ethically sourced, having been through the United Nations–sponsored “Kimberly Process” before reaching the market.)
Custom jewelry is having a resurgence, Galgano tells me, and it now accounts for 50 percent of her business. “People don’t want what everyone else has,” she says. They “crave individuality.” Rings are the most popular category, and her explanation for this is simple: Unlike earrings or necklaces, the wearer can enjoy looking at a ring on themselves.
Value is also a critical factor. Galgano says she wants to deliver “beautifully crafted jewelry, but not at retail prices.” Overall, she says, her clients are less concerned about the delivery of a piece by a certain date, being “more interested in getting it right and not overpaying.”
When I ask why the business is called Serpentine Jewels, Galgano explains that she has always loved snake jewelry, especially the way such pieces slither around a finger or wrist. In addition, snakes can be symbols of eternity, as they constantly shed their skin and are transformed into something new. Exactly like many of her creations.
