Judy Geib

Judy Geib is a New York–based jewelry designer known for her entirely hand-made, intuitive approach to making. After moving to New York City from Pennsylvania in the early 1980s and immersing herself in the vibrant East Village art scene, Geib spent two decades working in architecture before turning, almost accidentally, to jewelry in her forties. A chance introduction to lapidary at the New York Mineralogical Club – sparked by her fascination with mineral specimen books – set the course for what would become her life’s work. Without formal training or a business plan, she began simply by making what she wanted to wear, driven as much by curiosity as necessity.

 

Entirely self-taught, Geib approaches jewelry as a tactile, instinctive process. She hand-makes every piece, allowing her materials and her hands to dictate form. This commitment to making is the throughline of her practice: a belief that the essence of her work lies not in refinement or technical progression, but in the immediacy of touch. Drawing inspiration from antique jewelry, Shaker design, calligraphy, and a lifelong habit of making in sewing, carving, knitting, and more, her pieces carry a distinct, recognizable language. Recurring motifs such as flowers, irregular compositions, and calligraphic hammering ground her work, even as each piece evolves through experimentation.

 

Geib’s approach to stones is similarly unorthodox. She is guided not by hierarchy or value, but by attraction, seeking out unusual cuts, vivid colors, and materials with character, from agates to emeralds. Her designs are whimsical and exploratory, often assembling disparate elements into compositions that feel both spontaneous and deeply considered. As noted in The New York Times, her work resists conventional definitions of fine jewelry, embracing instead a sense of fun, individuality and handmade irregularity that sets it apart. Working full-time in her studio, Geib continues to test the boundaries of her own visual language, producing pieces that feel at once personal and timeless.