Meet Ali Galgano, a Westchester native and owner of Serpentine Jewels. She is a talented gemologist, designer, and consultant who specializes in creating heirloom-worthy pieces rooted in high fashion.
Ali grew up in Harrison and now lives in New Rochelle. She will be hosting the inaugural Serpentine Jewels Holiday Showcase this week from December 8-10th. There will be an in-person pop-up, and she is also taking appointments to discuss how you can build out your jewelry box this holiday season and beyond! Check out the full interview below to learn more about Ali and how you can attend this week’s event, even if you aren’t local!
Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
I grew up in a house that had a backyard in Rye, and a front yard in Harrison, and I currently live in a restored 1907 Georgian home in New Rochelle’s historic district, which is the second-oldest planned residential community in the county.
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have two boys – Julian (5.5) and Oliver (3.5).
What are your favorite things to do with your kids?
I love being outside with them but truth be told, my favorite thing is to drive them places – when they’re strapped in the car and can’t go anywhere, we have our most meaningful and interesting conversations.
What are your go-to restaurants and shops in the Sound Shore?
We love Maria for Italian food and Dubrovnik for Mediterranean food in New Rochelle. We dine out frequently though and never turn down a chance to dine at Blue Hill Stone Barns or Via Carota in NYC.
How do you spend “me time”?
I have very little “me time” these days but my perfect day would be treasure hunting at antique markets.
Tell us about Serpentine Jewels. How did you get started?
I’ve always loved jewelry, and after attending gemology school, I became disillusioned with the options that existed in the fine jewelry market. Sophisticated customers were being offered low-grade diamonds, receiving pieces with poor craftsmanship, and regularly overpaying for high-end jewelry. This compelled me to start my business as a jeweler, offering luxury and curated products with excellent value.
You have a big event coming up this week! Tell us about the Serpentine Holiday Showcase!
Serpentine Jewels is located in NYC and this week I am thrilled to be showcasing my work in Rye. We are looking forward to meeting with clients old and new to help them with all of their fine jewelry needs. I’ll be taking private appointments over the course of three days to discuss custom designs and how you can build out your personal jewelry box this holiday season and beyond! There will also be an Open House on Thursday night for those interested – it’s an opportunity to come browse the entire Serpentine Jewels collection, have a glass of champagne and make a wishlist for us to send to your significant other! We’re trying to make jewelry gifting as easy as possible this year.
How do we make an appointment to meet with you this week?
You can make an appointment with this link or e-mail [email protected] for info on the Thursday night event.
What if someone doesn’t live close by, can they do a virtual appointment?
Yes! If you are not able to attend the showcase in person, we’re doing Zoom appointments all week (and always, for that matter!).
What has been the biggest challenge in your business?
Balancing building a private label collection, creating custom pieces for clients, and creating brand awareness all at the same time. There are never enough hours in a day!
What’s your favorite part about owning your own business?
My favorite part about Serpentine Jewels is being able to bring people joy and spread beauty through my work and I feel lucky that I’m able to earn a living from a profession I’m so passionate about.
How do you describe your personal jewelry style?
Maximalist, colorful, and innovative – I love to accessorize my accessories!
What is one piece of jewelry you never leave home without?
My engagement ring, which is anything but traditional – it has a center fancy yellow oval diamond and a scalloped diamond and pink sapphire border.
How do you juggle motherhood, parenting and owning your own business? Any tips for keeping it all together?
It’s a constant struggle, but I try not to be so hard on myself. I want to set an example to my sons that if you’re passionate about something, you’re allowed to chase after a dream even if it brings on the extra challenge of balancing other facets of your life.
Follow Serpentine Jewels on Instagram for more content from Ali!
