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This Jeweler's a Gem

Nina Berenato's been successful with her sustainably-made namesake line and is helping other women achieve their goals too

Article by Jennifer Birn

Photography by Courtesy of Nina Berenato

Originally published in Austin Lifestyle

Jewelry designer Nina Berenato put in the time…She apprenticed in Brooklyn for six years before opening her first Austin retail location in a 1959 Airstream Bambi – although she created her first collection just a year into her apprentiship.

Nina is a poster child for operating an environmentally conscious business…Not only is her material of choice recycled metal, but her studio and storefront run off 100 percent wind-powered energy and her packaging is zero waste and entirely compostable. The shipping labels are made from sugar cane (don’t try to eat them) and the ink is soy. 

Nina’s sought after by some of the world’s most stylish and strong women…She’s been commissioned to make custom pieces for Lizzo, Beyonce, Alicia Keys, Natalie Dormer and more. 

Nina is humble…She still handmakes each piece – except the ones her customers turned students make in her weekly jewelry-making classes. 

Nina is generous, with her time and expertise…She began a course to help aspiring jewelry designers set themselves up for success, considering them peers rather than potential competitors.

We spoke to her to learn more…

Have you always crafted sustainably-made jewelry from primarily metals? Yes, that was definitely a focus from the beginning. I took time to get to know my production partners in New York and understand exactly how and where the metal I was using was coming from. Luckily, I was able to find people just as passionate about sustainability as I am, and I've worked with these same people for over a decade.

What inspires your pieces? It's always different but usually I see some type of iconography that just grabs me and I want to start researching it more. Usually it's rooted in some aspect of the female experience, be it mythological portrayals, everyday life for women, our struggles or our hopes and dreams. I’m attracted to these themes and you'll see them throughout my collections.

And you still hand-make each piece? Yes, I still handmake every single piece that I sell both in the store and online.

Your jewelry has been worn by some of the biggest names in the world. Anyone still on the wish list? Rihanna, Miley Cyrus and Michelle Obama are high up on my list.

What percentage of your business is men’s jewelry? I don't do much men's at all, it's a very small collection. Almost everything I make is pretty feminine. My men's collection was created as a symbol for our male allies to wear and show support, so even my men's stuff really still revolves around women.

How often are your jewelry-making classes and what do you teach? I teach every Saturday each month. In the classes you'll be learning everything that I do, soldering, sawing, forming etc. You're lighting things on fire and doing the whole thing. You do get to take home what you've made. It's always something you'd really wear and you're super proud of.

What inspired you to start The Jewelry Academy? I created The Jewelry Academy because so many designers were really asking me the same questions in private mentoring sessions. How do I price my designs? How do I know when and how to put out collections? How do I do wholesale? How do I market my line? So I just thought, let me make this into a class. It's been really popular and it's great to know that I'm helping some aspiring designers jump past some of the mistakes I made.

How many people have taken your masterclass? I launched in Spring 2020 and now have about 40 students.

Do you ever get nervous sharing your trade secrets and contacts? Never. I have always been about supporting and lifting other small business owners and creatives up and I will always share my knowledge if someone needs it. That's a big reason why I wanted to make sure that the masterclass had a full scholarship option for those who need it. Another person's success never takes from mine, and I feel like if something like sharing a contact or a hack you have is going to make your business fail, you don't deserve to be on the playing field. I've always felt confident in my designs and what we do as a company, so it's allowed me to be really open and giving when it comes to knowledge and "trade secrets".

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were starting out? As the company has grown I realized how important self-work and growing as a person is to being a good business person and leader. Not only do you need to be creative, relentless, driven, smart, but you also have to learn to navigate the obstacles from a place of deep knowledge about yourself and commitment to who you want to be. So, I wish I would have started that self-work earlier.

What staple pieces of jewelry do you wear? I always wear the Horizon cuff. I usually double up and wear them on both arms. They are my favorite because they are so eye catching. 

What are some of your other favorite sustainable brands? I love DL1961, Girlfriend, Zero Waste Daniel

What’s your favorite place (or business) in Austin? As a business, I love our neighbors at the Domain "Kickin It" We got super lucky to have them next door to us. And my favorite place is probably Laguna Gloria.

What would you in 30 years tell you now? Don't Stress! Everything always works out.

You can shop Nina's pieces online at or swing by the store: 3200 Palm Way #152 at Domain. 

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