About the Artist

Designer Candace Marsella’s love of jewelry began on the East Coast, where she grew up immersed in the world of antiques and craftsmanship. As a child, she spent time helping family and friends in their antique store and manufacturing business — an early education that sparked a lifelong fascination with gemstones, history, and design.

Her passion led her to earn a Liberal Arts degree, followed by specialized training at the Gemological Institute of America. Over the past three decades, Candace has worked across many facets of the jewelry industry, including retail, auctions, and design — experiences that shaped her trained eye and deep understanding of fine stones.

Now based in Chicago, Candace has dedicated more than twenty years to handcrafting jewelry that honors the natural beauty of each gemstone she selects. Inspired by her antique background and guided by her knowledge of materials, she creates pieces that balance softness and strength — timeless yet expressive.

Each Smashing Jewels design is thoughtfully fabricated using fine wire techniques and traditional bench skills in 14k gold filled, sterling silver, and carefully sourced gemstones and pearls. Candace focuses on small-scale, intentional production, allowing every piece to feel personal and one-of-a-kind.

Her aesthetic is rooted in nature, femininity, and refined simplicity. Whether a delicate everyday necklace or a statement gemstone piece, her work is designed to highlight the stone’s natural charm and to become part of the wearer’s own story.

Smashing Jewels reflects Candace’s belief that jewelry should feel meaningful — effortless to wear, beautifully made, and timeless by design.