Todd Reed

Known for his pioneering use of uncut diamonds, Todd Reed is part of what he terms the “raw elegance” movement in contemporary artisan jewelry. “I became most interested in raw diamonds as a way to question the fascination with diamonds used as a status symbol in our current society,” states the Boulder, Colorado artist. “The rough diamond has a perfect geometric shape in its creation. Rough is aesthetically chunkier than polished, so it is hard to imagine that it is so perfect without being cut.” Because the shapes of the stones vary, Todd is challenged to be innovative with his settings, to design mountings that enhance the inherent sparkle of the raw stones.

Todd’s eco-friendly process combines conflict-free raw diamonds with 18 karat gold, sterling silver and brilliant accent diamonds, employing reclaimed metals and stones. In 2007, he began working with rose cut diamonds – either recycled or made from non-facet grade material – adding a new spectrum of color to his palette.  

Todd has received many commendations for his work, including awards from the Society of North American Goldsmiths, the American Jewelry Design Council, and the American Craft Council as well as the Smithsonian Craft Show Award and the Niche Award from the Rosen Group. He has been profiled in publications ranging from Brides Magazine to the Wall Street Journal.