Meet the Artist
Intuition is what guides Fernanda’s creation of her art and her jewelry, and each creation is thus transformed by the intuitive values that she carries within her. Her craft is an expression of herself — an outsider, a strong-willed woman, a survivor — and is created with an intention acuminated over the course of her life. Each piece is designed to evoke feelings of:
- Diversity. In a line of work that is saturated by people that look nothing like me, I hope I can inspire others to follow their dreams.
- Family. My work aligns with prioritizing my family and our time spent together.
- Trust. It’s important that my clients know they can trust my work and that the materials used are of the highest quality.
- Sustainability. I work with 100% recycled gold, repurposed gemstones when possible, and by working with an individual jeweler you support a local economy.
- A connection to the underlying divine nature of our existence.
When you wear one of Fernanda’s pieces, you’re not just wearing a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry, you’re settling into the same intention, inherently supporting the local community, BIPOC, women and promoting love, kindness, and authenticity. The jewelry itself is inspired by the architecture of the Deco era and is interwoven with universal symbols found all over the world, created to be artistically symmetrical rather than perfectly symmetrical.
LATINA OWNED AND OPERATED
After immigrating as a child from her home country of Costa Rica to the United States, it was in kindergarten in Georgia where Fernanda was first recognized for her creative potential. Nicknamed Georgia O’Keeffe, Fernanda was encouraged to hone her vast artistic ability, initiating what would become a lifetime of creation. Feeling unsettled as a young girl in a new and unfamiliar place, Fernanda found solace in the expressive outlet that art could offer her. From that creative exploration in childhood to acquiring a knack for creating art as an adult — using fine pens and gold leaf — Fernanda’s artistic career transformed her from outsider to accepted, supported, and celebrated. With the help and love from her husband Jeff and their son Hayden, Fernanda’s passion, ingenuity, determination, and hard work culminated in the establishment of Universal Deco. A lifelong vision come to fruition; Fernanda’s fine jewelry brand brings one-of-a-kind gold heirlooms to the Denver community — her home away from home.
Frequently asked questions
How long can I expect for shipping?
Since all of our pieces are hand made to order please expect 4-6 weeks for shipping.
Can I get my jewelry expedited?
Since all of our pieces are made in house we can try our best to accommodate your rush order. Please note there will be a rush service fee. Please email hello@universaldeco.art BEFORE placing your order to make sure we are able to accommodate your request.
How are your pieces made?
Our jewelry is handmade in Denver Colorado by using the lost wax casting method where our designer carves out the piece in a special wax then precious metal duplicates the piece. The jewelry is then polished and stones are set. Since these pieces are all finished by hand please expect an organic replica of what you see online as no two pieces will ever be the same.
Do you use recycled gold?
Yes! We use 100% certified recycled gold!
What metals do you work with?
We currently work with 14K yellow/white/rose gold.
What type of stones do you use?
Going forward we will only work with natural diamonds (larger stones come with GIA certifications and paperwork when applicable) and our sapphires are a mix of Lab grown and natural. Stone type is outlined in each jewelry description.
Can I customize one of your current offerings with different metal types or stone?
Absolutely! Email hello@universaldeco.art with your inquiry and our team will take it from there! Please note additional fees may apply.
Why only diamonds for engagement rings?
That’s a big misconception. An engagement ring can be anything you want it to be! Although we only work with diamonds and sapphires because of their hardiness and long term wearability, we think the ring should be as special and unique as you are!
Email hello@universaldeco.art with specific questions.
Do you make custom pieces?
Yes, we love doing custom designs! Fill out this form to begin the custom collaboration process.
Can you help me turn inherited pieces into something new?
Please send an email to hello@universaldeco.art.
When is payment expected for a custom piece?
We require a 50% deposit before your project is started. Since this piece is one of a kind and size dimensions and stones are picked with you, we don’t expect any surprises in design. So we are not able to provide a refund after the project is started. The second payment of 50% will be expected before the expected shipping date.
COVID Restrictions
Due to COVID Restrictions some orders may exceed expected time frames. We commit to trying our best to avoid any unexpected delays.