INTERVIEW: Fine Jewelry & Social Media Mogul, Stephanie Gottlieb, Talks Life in the Hamptons

They say, “diamonds are a girl’s best friend,” and luxury jewelry mogul, Stephanie Gottlieb, certainly brings that statement to life. Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry is in a league of its own after nearly ten years in the online retail space. Founder and Entrepreneur, Stephanie Gottlieb, founded the business in 2013 with a “social first” approach. The ingenious idea has helped her amass over 400k Instagram followers and many more loyal customers who flock to her company for one of a kind engagement rings, colorful rings, necklaces and bracelets, and other timeless pieces. Stephanie’s approach was different and that alone has helped her stand apart in a competitive market. 

The jewelry mogul calls the Hamptons her home for several months of the year. I caught up with Stephanie to learn more about her business, views on female entrepreneurship, and how she continues to remain true to herself through the success.

You’re living every little girl’s dream! You work with jaw dropping gems and create pieces of jewelry that make people feel beautiful. How does that feel after nearly a decade since the launch of your company? 

SG: Honestly it’s easy to get jaded when you’re working with beautiful diamonds and gemstones every day, but every time I’m working with a client and teaching them about diamonds, it brings me back to the magic of what I do, and how very cool and unique it is to be a part of such special moments in people’s lives.

Are there any experiences or relationships from your youth and early adulthood that stand out as influential to the person you have become today? 

SG: I’ve always been a creative person. Whether it was creating tank tops that had necklaces sewn into the neckline, or melting toothbrushes in a pot to become bracelets, I’ve loved jewelry and accessorizing since as far back as I can remember.  ‘Over the top’ has always been my MO. My mom dressed me in color and mixed patterns from very early on, and I think that stuck with me!

You are a social media and online sales queen. It seems like you hit the market at the perfect time and understood your audience’s needs to a T. Did you ever think you could amass such a strong and loyal following that would build the jewelry empire you run today? 

SG: I had absolutely ZERO idea that my company would become what it is today.  But even before I started Stephanie Gottlieb, the brand, I loved photographing jewelry, and framing the perfect photo. Instagram just happened to be the perfect tool for me to share my love of jewelry and color with my audience! It’s been an incredible platform to connect with my followers, to learn what they love and don’t, to educate them about what I do, and to push myself to constantly be creative.

What are some of the quintessential Stephanie Gotlieb pieces that really make up the core of the brand?  

SG: The Slider Bangle™ is one of them! I knew when we designed the first piece that this was going to be something that my customer would love! It speaks to the core of our business, which is about creating something personal, that has a modern twist on a classic design. The Undecided™ band is another one– the entire idea behind the design was that so many of our clients (myself included) can’t decide between two great options, so instead of trying to choose, you get both!! The first Undecided™  Band was something I designed for myself as an anniversary gift from my husband, featuring Emerald cut and Round diamonds set in Rose Gold. And then of course Rainbow!! We have so many amazing Rainbow designs, but the one that stands out is my Half-Rainbow, Half-Diamond band. This was actually the first version of the Undecided™ Ring.

How do you stay true to yourself as your business continues to blossom every year? 

SG: I’m involved in every decision- big and small. I see every DM, almost every email, and review orders on a weekly basis. I am super in touch with what the customer wants, needs, and eventually orders.  This becomes harder and harder as my team grows and I am removed from the day-to-day, but I think a huge part of our success has been that I’m really tapped into who the SG girl is. So much of what I’ve done to date has been organic, and true to who I am as a person, so I think if I stick with my gut and continue to embed SG (the person) into SG (the brand), that will come across in the product, marketing, and inevitable success of the company.

You are a New Yorker through and through splitting your time between Manhattan and The Hamptons. How has each place influenced your career and more specifically your business? Do you find that you create pieces with a specific location and style in mind?  

SG: I don’t generally create with a location in mind, but I do create for how I would wear a piece. Jewelry for everyday layering, items that I can easily travel with, pieces that are versatile and can be worn in multiple ways! NYC has an energy that I feed off of, and I LOVE being in my office surrounded by my team. The Hamptons has been a beautiful escape during COVID, and is my favorite place to be during the Summer, but NYC is where I really thrive!

There is no doubt that the Hamptons has become the backdrop of many of your gorgeous Instagram photos. What makes the Hamptons so special to you and what are some of your favorite pastimes here?  

SG: My husband and I started renting in the Hamptons straight out of college. We took a 2 bedroom carriage house with no pool, spent our days at the beach, and hosted dinners in our backyard for our friends. I loved that we could be sociable, that we were constantly outdoors, and surrounded by so much fun energy! The beaches are truly unparalleled, and I get a serious sense of calm when I see a summer sunset on Meadow Lane.  

As an entrepreneur who has really carved out a space of your own on social media and in the jewelry business, what is the biggest piece of advice you would give to the younger generation?  

SG: I think it’s exactly that!! Find your OWN space, carve out your niche, and create a brand that’s truly organic to who you are, because that will resonate with your customer base.

To shop Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry, visit https://stephaniegottlieb.com/. To keep up with Stephanie Gottlieb and her latest designs, follow her on Instagram at https://instagram.com/stephaniegottlieb.