Jeanne Johngren has spent her life telling stories visually. Inspired by her travels in Europe and life seen through a cinematographer’s lens, she honed an aesthetic that now brings life to her gold and gemstone creations.

After graduating from Yale University, Jeanne Johngren moved to Paris. She spent many hours sketching in the Louvre and the Picasso Museum. She studied Hausmann’s radiating boulevards which cut vistas through the city, bringing focus to the monuments. And her second home was the Art Cinema House at Trocadero where she watched Godard, Truffaut and Wim Wenders’ movies. She stayed a year and then decided to pursue a career in film. She moved to New York City where she became one of the first music video producers on the scene to give a generation their MTV with artists such as Mick Jagger, The Ramones and Jeff Buckley. Johngren then discovered the art of making jewelry, where she applied her keen sense of color and composition to the new medium.

Johngren works with a team of artisans in New York City. Her designs reflect an interest in renaissance architecture, medieval tapestry and byzantine mosaics. Her pieces feature sapphires, diamonds, and rubies. Her jewelry is sold in fine jewelry stores and galleries across the USA. Johngren also creates one-of-a-kind pieces on commission.

Johngren believes that one has to ‘give back.’ She donates a portion of her proceeds every year to charities and non-profit organizations.

Jeanne Johngren was just named the new president of The Contemporary Jewelry Design Group.