The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2025 - Issue 37

bitejewellery W hen Karina Brez was crowned Miss Florida USA in 2012, she wore a pageant gown adorned with silver-set moonstones and more than 30,000 Swarovski crystals she designed and made with help from her master jeweller father. Afterwards, she followed her father and grandfather into jewellery making but chose a different path. “My father asked me to continue the family legacy in the jew- ellery business, and I decided to join the trade but carve my path within it,” she told Park Magazine NY online. Studying at the Gemological Institute of America gave her a strong foundation in gemstone identification and valuation. Having designed jewellery for 15 years, she recalls her initial exposure. “Hands-on experience in my dad’s jewellery shop refined my skills, giving me practical knowledge in craftsman- ship, customer interactions, and the nuances of accurately pricing gemstones,” she explained. “That early experience [at 16] laid the foundation for my passion, eventually leading me to establish my brand.” Karina’s collections arise from her inspiration and passion for horses. “Their elegance, strength, and beauty influence my de- signs. I love creating pieces that reflect what inspires me.” Her chosen platform for the pageant was Horses Healing Hearts, a charity serving children whose parents are affected by addic- tion. It supports their emotional needs, teaches them coping skills and gives them tools to lead a healthy life free of drugs and alcohol to break the generational cycle of addiction. Her design signature blends modern equestrian motifs with timeless elegance while quality, originality, and timelessness matter to her. “I want every piece to feel personal, be impecca- bly crafted, and stand the test of time.” Karina’s first designed piece was a rare amber stone with a preserved wood gnat set in white and yellow gold. “It was accented with yellow sapphires and white diamonds from my Garden Collection, where the floral elements resembled delicate butterflies.” Inspired by the beauty of flowers, the collection effortlessly merges nature with stunning jewels to create pieces that en- capsulate the vibrance of a blooming garden. It consists of the Diamond Rose Ring in 18-karat white, yellow or rose gold, Zahara Blue Sapphire and Diamond Flower Earrings, Ring and Necklace, Zahara Pink Sapphire and Diamond Ring, Leilani Blue or Pink Sapphire and Diamond Earrings, Dia- mond Flower Cluster Earrings, and Butterfly Diamond Ear- rings.