CHECKING IN WITH ... Kristine Taft:

Diamonds, they say, are always a girl’s best friend. But in Kristine Taft’s case, jewelry is how she makes a living, too. And if you’re looking for a gift this holiday season, you might want to check out Taft’s fine gems. This week, we check in with the Newport Beach entrepreneur for some “pearls” (pun fully intended) of wisdom.

When did you first realize you had a knack for creating jewelry?

I started making jewelry when I was 7 years old, living in Wisconsin with my six siblings. I sat down with my mother one day, and she taught me how to make earrings out of colored tiny shells, which I sold door to door. Little did I know at the time, not only did it keep me preoccupied, but apparently also assisted our family with some extra income. It was not until about nine years ago when approached by a retailer who admired my design in a piece of jewelry I happened to be wearing that day, did I realize I had something to offer to the public.

What were some of the biggest hurdles you had to get past before you became successful?

The biggest hurdle was building the confidence to sell my designs. I, of course, love it all, but to admit that fact to a consumer or retailer was much more difficult — it felt like I was talking about myself. Nine years later and after landing accounts in stores ranging from Fred Segal to A’Marees, I’ve clearly gotten over it!

With the holidays approaching, describe some of your hottest items. Are there some stone colors and precious metals popular this year?

The hot colors this fall are purple, red, gray and black. The more popular items in my holiday line are made with amethyst, garnets, cranberry-colored pearls, laboradite and black onyx and various silver- and gold-dimensional chains interlaced with the aforementioned semi-precious stones and precious stones such as rubies. One of my most popular designs for holiday is a red garnet lariat that was also purchased by Julia-Louis Dreyfus.

Tell us what makes a Kristine Taft product stand out from the other jewelry out there.

I am not influenced by the standard bead or trade shows nor trends — my products are extremely original. Living on Balboa Island, inspiration for my signature “California luxe” look (made to be worn, one, two or three pieces together) comes from infinite sources. I awake with ideas, sketch them out and make pieces for myself. The next thing I know they’re being purchased off my neck. Also, a portion of my line is made from personal heirlooms such as brooches, earrings, lockets or charms that have been sitting in a jewelry box, not worn because it’s old and not in fashion and some pieces are from beach glass collected in Crystal Cove. I’ll re-purpose these pieces, create something that is current, unusual and interesting so that it can be worn and enjoyed as well as cherished. It’s also another way to recycle.

How do you feel when you see one of your necklaces on a Hollywood celebrity?

The only way to describe the first time I saw a celebrity wearing one of my pieces was disbelief and sheer joy. It’s such a compliment to create something that someone else enjoys. To have someone like Natalie Cole walk up to me and say, “Excuse me, but aren’t you Kristine Taft, who makes those ‘beach diamonds?’ I just love them and bought them in three colors!” or to see someone wearing my piece on the red carpet is amazing!

Moments like that substantiate my work and stir my creative and entrepreneurial juices.

Which celebrities have you worked with, and what gossip can you share with us?

There have been several, and as with all my clients, I don’t like to kiss and tell. The pieces I create are most often custom and very personal to the client. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share my designs with anyone who will appreciate and cherish them.