{"id":7366,"date":"2026-04-28T14:02:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T19:02:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/?p=7366"},"modified":"2026-04-28T14:15:57","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T19:15:57","slug":"susan-wheeler-crafting-unique-fine-jewelry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/eternal-7366-susan-wheeler-crafting-unique-fine-jewelry","title":{"rendered":"Susan Wheeler: Crafting Unique Fine Jewelry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Today\u2019s jewelry industry increasingly goes beyond mere aesthetics, blending beauty with ethical principles and social responsibility. One of the key figures leading this movement is Susan Wheeler. With over two decades of experience, this <a href=\"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/eternal-3608-charles-james-the-designer-who-dressed-the-rich-and-powerful\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/eternal-3608-charles-james-the-designer-who-dressed-the-rich-and-powerful\">designer<\/a> is actively transforming how jewelry is made. Her work spans far beyond design\u2014she spearheads global initiatives aimed at bringing transparency to the jewelry market, protecting the environment, and supporting mining communities. Read more on <a href=\"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\">chicagoka<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0063ab23ea5\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #090909;color:#090909\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #090909;color:#090909\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0063ab23ea5\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/eternal-7366-susan-wheeler-crafting-unique-fine-jewelry\/#Her_Professional_Journey\" >Her Professional Journey<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/eternal-7366-susan-wheeler-crafting-unique-fine-jewelry\/#A_Philosophy_of_Responsible_Sourcing\" >A Philosophy of Responsible Sourcing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/eternal-7366-susan-wheeler-crafting-unique-fine-jewelry\/#Core_Principles_of_Susan_Wheeler_Design\" >Core Principles of Susan Wheeler Design<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/eternal-7366-susan-wheeler-crafting-unique-fine-jewelry\/#Industry_Leadership\" >Industry Leadership<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Her_Professional_Journey\"><\/span>Her Professional Journey<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Susan Wheeler\u2019s love for fine jewelry and colored gemstones began in childhood. Her grandmother played a huge role by gifting her a charm bracelet. As a young girl, Susan would add charms from her travels to the bracelet. This was when she first became deeply fascinated by the symbolism of jewelry and the natural beauty of stones. A gold elephant encrusted with emeralds\u2014her birthstone\u2014held special meaning for her. This early experience sparked a lifelong passion for emeralds and other colored minerals, which would eventually take center stage in her creative work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Susan studied fine arts, art history, and creative writing. For a long time, jewelry making was more of a hobby than a career. That all changed when her Chicago home was burglarized. Losing her entire jewelry collection was emotionally devastating, but it also served as a catalyst for change. Following the break-in, she enrolled in a metalsmithing class and fully immersed herself in jewelry making for the first time. Those early classes were a turning point. She fell so deeply in love with working with metal that she decided to completely shift her career path and dedicate herself to jewelry design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wheeler is the founder of several major initiatives, including the Responsible Jewelry Transformative and the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference. Additionally, she co-founded Virtu Gem and serves as an advisor for the Fashion and Lifestyle Network, a program run in collaboration with the UN Office for Partnerships and the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs&#8217; sustainable development division. Her advocacy brings together journalists, governments, universities, NGOs, and jewelry industry insiders. The main goal? To amplify the voices of the people directly involved in mining and processing precious materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1104\" height=\"1372\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-81.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7333\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-81.jpeg 1104w, https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-81-241x300.jpeg 241w, https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-81-768x954.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-81-696x865.jpeg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-81-1068x1327.jpeg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1104px) 100vw, 1104px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Philosophy_of_Responsible_Sourcing\"><\/span>A Philosophy of Responsible Sourcing<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/eternal-5486-jewelry-of-california-native-peggy-li-the-history-of-her-hollywood-pieces\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/losangeleska.com\/en\/eternal-5486-jewelry-of-california-native-peggy-li-the-history-of-her-hollywood-pieces\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">designer<\/a> is a staunch advocate for transparency and fairness in the supply chain. She firmly believes these principles are essential for achieving the UN&#8217;s Sustainable Development Goals. Her approach is rooted in the harsh realities of the industry. Mining is a primary source of income for many rural communities worldwide. At the same time, the sector is a major driver of global deforestation and is often linked to poverty and dangerous working conditions. Gemstone processing can also pose severe health risks, such as silicosis, if proper safety standards aren&#8217;t met. That\u2019s why Susan emphasizes that jewelry shouldn&#8217;t just be a symbol of beauty and love\u2014it can also be a powerful tool for positive change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"760\" height=\"706\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-82.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7336\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-82.jpeg 760w, https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-82-300x279.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-82-696x647.jpeg 696w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Core_Principles_of_Susan_Wheeler_Design\"><\/span>Core Principles of Susan Wheeler Design<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The Susan Wheeler Design brand puts responsible manufacturing into practice. In her work, the designer exclusively uses Fairmined or Just Gold. This guarantees the gold comes from small-scale artisanal mines in countries like Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It&#8217;s mined without the involvement of illicit groups and with minimal environmental impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another crucial aspect is her use of antique and recycled diamonds, which significantly reduces the need for new mining. Every gemstone she incorporates has a fully traceable origin, often tracking straight back to the individual miner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The brand\u2019s supply chain is full of real-world impact stories. It highlights women in Tanzania mining gems to provide for their families, mining communities in Colombia overcoming a turbulent past, and gem cutters in Zambia who now have stable jobs to support their loved ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1536\" height=\"1422\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-83.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7339\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-83.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-83-300x278.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-83-768x711.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-83-696x644.jpeg 696w, https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-83-1068x989.jpeg 1068w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1536px) 100vw, 1536px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Industry_Leadership\"><\/span>Industry Leadership<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Susan Wheeler is a recognized leader in responsible sourcing. She heads the Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference and serves on the board of directors for Ethical Metalsmiths, The Jewelry Industry Summit, and the Chicago Women\u2019s Jewelry Association. She also consults for Chicago Fair Trade. Her expertise and proactive stance help shape new standards in a jewelry industry where ethics are becoming an essential part of doing business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A defining feature of Susan\u2019s creative process is her use of metal clay. Originating in Japan in the late 20th century, this material combines fine metal particles with a binder, allowing artists to sculpt intricate shapes that turn into solid metal when fired. However, the designer has developed her own unique approach to it. She lets the clay air-dry naturally, resulting in distinct textures inspired by organic surfaces like tree bark, stones, and earth. Once this stage is complete, the pieces are refined using the traditional lost-wax casting technique. This allows her to merge organic, earthy shapes with precise, high-end jewelry craftsmanship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"437\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-84.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-7342\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-84.jpeg 480w, https:\/\/cdn.chicagoka.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/69\/2026\/04\/image-84-300x273.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Wheeler lives in Chicago with her family, but she draws much of her inspiration from the nature of Northern Michigan. Forests, tree bark textures, riverbeds, and ocean waves form the foundation of her visual imagery. In her work, she constantly explores the interaction between nature and material. What would gold look like if it were forming deep within the earth? How would a stone change under the pressure of natural forces? This philosophy elevates her jewelry from mere decorative objects to stunning interpretations of natural processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Susan Wheeler\u2019s artistry perfectly marries natural motifs with mindful design. Quartz holds a special place in her work\u2014a stone she fell in love with during a trade show in Tucson. This material became the anchor for an entire collection inspired by natural forms and structures. Tourmaline, labradorite, and opal also frequently appear in her pieces, shaping her highly recognizable aesthetic. Trade publications and industry magazines often describe her collections as being rooted in natural textures and organic forms. Every piece is crafted to be a one-of-a-kind treasure, far removed from mass production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The designer admits she believes in the metaphysical properties of certain stones, but she considers the emotional meaning of a piece to be what truly matters. Every item is created with the intention of conveying love and harmony. Her design approach is highly intuitive. She notes that the creative process can take unexpected turns, and the final piece often looks quite different from her original concept. The Zen philosophy of naturalness, spontaneity, and process harmony plays a massive role in shaping her artistic vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite her thriving career, Susan balances her professional ambitions with her family life. She speaks candidly about the challenges of time management, stressing the importance of setting priorities and leaning on a supportive team. Her approach proves that a modern designer can be an artist, an entrepreneur, and an active driver of social change all at once.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Susan Wheeler\u2019s work exemplifies the jewelry industry\u2019s shift toward responsibility, transparency, and sustainability. Her pieces prove that stunning jewelry can go hand in hand with ethical principles, and the creation process itself can benefit society. In the face of global challenges, approaches like hers are forging a new consumer ethic\u2014one where every piece carries not just aesthetic appeal, but true social value.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Today\u2019s jewelry industry increasingly goes beyond mere aesthetics, blending beauty with ethical principles and social responsibility. One of the key figures leading this movement is Susan Wheeler. With over two decades of experience, this designer is actively transforming how jewelry is made. Her work spans far beyond design\u2014she spearheads global initiatives aimed at bringing transparency [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":402,"featured_media":7346,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1036],"tags":[5885,5900,5895,5899,5897,5901,5876,5902,5896,5898,5882],"motype":[1045],"moformat":[127],"moimportance":[34,33],"class_list":{"0":"post-7366","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-style-and-beauty","8":"tag-chicago-responsible-jewelry-conference","9":"tag-custom-susan-wheeler-jewelry-collections","10":"tag-dendritic-quartz-jewelry","11":"tag-eco-friendly-fine-jewelry","12":"tag-ethical-fairmined-gold","13":"tag-responsible-jewelry-manufacturing","14":"tag-susan-wheeler-jewelry","15":"tag-susan-wheeler-jewelry-designer","16":"tag-sustainable-jewelry-industry","17":"tag-transparent-jewelry-supply-chain","18":"tag-un-fashion-and-lifestyle-network","19":"motype-eternal","20":"moformat-longrid-korotka","21":"moimportance-golovna-novina","22":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatori"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7366","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/402"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7366"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7366\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7367,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7366\/revisions\/7367"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7346"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7366"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7366"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7366"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=7366"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=7366"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chicagoka.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=7366"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}