About

Coastal Gem Works: A San Diego-based custom jewelry studio creating one-of-a-kind pieces inspired by coastal living and outdoor adventure. Each design emphasizes lightweight, minimalist wear crafted with hand-selected gemstones and metalwork.

The Maker: I'm Dylan, a self-taught metalsmith and gem cutter specializing in faceting and cabochon work. I blend years of hand-tool woodworking, blacksmithing, and artistic practice into jewelry that expresses the wearer's personality and style.

Why This Craft: I've always needed to work with my hands. After inheriting my mother's jewelry collection, I became captivated by gemstones - and rock hounding for them. Metalsmithing merged everything I loved—the precision of woodworking, the shaping of blacksmithing, and the artistry of gem cutting—into one perfect craft.

What Sets Us Apart: I source and cut every stone myself. San Diego's pegmatite veins provide locally mined gems; I also pursue and mine sapphires from Montana and have an interest in mining tourmaline in Maine, aquamarine in Colorado, Sunstone in Oregon, and more. International rough stones come from ethical, trusted suppliers. 

Every faceted gemstone is cut using precision faceting principles (more on Information page)—optimizing brilliance, color, and sparkle over commercial weight standards. Cabochons are cut to keep the original, organic shape - this forces custom works as the stone is not calibrated.

Because I handle every step in-house, I can speak to the full story: origin, ethics, quality, and authenticity. That transparency and traceability is the foundation of this brand.

Each piece is handcrafted, one of a kind, and made to last. You'll feel the care and respect invested in every detail—from stone selection and precision workmanship to final polish. These aren't mass-produced pieces; they're designed to become heirlooms, treasured for generations.