About the Designer...

Elena was born in Southern California to a large Mexican family.  She inherited her passion for design from her parents.  At a tender age, she watched her father rebuild destroyed cars, converting them into classics.  She also observed from her mother the art of taking any piece of material and creating a stylish outfit for school.

As one of six children, Elena learned to flourish with very little.  It is this humble beginning that feeds her creativity, making the most simple design, extraordinary.  Elena is constantly searching for new ways to reinvent her pieces, taking earth's most precious stones and combining them with chains and hand-woven wires to create a work of art. Every design is unique and personal, made by the artist for her clients. 

Inspired by the poetry of the human soul, her favorite designs are the tasks she is given by her customers to create a one-of-a-kind piece.  She admits to being at the command of this muse of creative expression, often sitting at her workbench long hours until her designs are perfected and mastered. 

Recently enrolled in a metals class, Elena has started to incorporate newer techniques in jewelry design, including: soldering, investing and casting.  Take a peek at her metals selection to view her new techniques.  Currently she is working with wax models to design unique rings, bracelets and charms.  A new collection for men, "Xanadu's Twelve" is underway.  It will include an array of cufflinks made from unique hand-cut stones, fossils and heavy metals. 

What separates Elena from other designers?  Probably the most unique aspect of Elena's designs is that she uses the precision of a surgeon in her creations.  Elena is also a  physician. She graduated from UCLA School of Medicine, completed a fellowship in Gynecologic Endoscopic Surgery at Stanford University, and is currently practicing in Southern California.  Her creativity spills into writing Spanish poetry and when the occasion often presents itself, she loves to put on her large Spanish hoops, red flower in her hair and salsa dance.