Native New Yorker Janis Savitt's interest in jewelry began at an early age. Savitt's parents enrolled her in a jewelry making class at the YMCA at the age of 12, where she quickly excelled. Soon she was creating jewelry that she sold in a little store on the ground floor of the Manhattan apartment building where her family lived. Savitt was still in high school at the time, but she knew she had found her calling. Savitt makes the jewelry that women want to wear--her innovation, smart design and craftsmanship have made her an award-winning industry leader, and to that end, she has been the recipient of three De Beers diamond international awards and is a two time nominee of the CFDA.