Delicate Raymond

Home /
Designer Index /
Delicate Raymond

Michelle Zimmerman is slowly emerging as a leading jewelry designer in the L.A., Tokyo, and New York hipster scenes. As the founder and CEO of Delicate Raymond, Michelle hand makes jewelry that offers a unique blend of designs. Whether it’s incorporating intricate vintage wear offset by romantic hints of blush gems, or mixing semi precious stones with locally sourced gold and silver, the Delicate Raymond collection is a reflection of a rich family tradition blended with cultural influences captured from moments spent abroad.

Born and raised in 1975, Portland, Oregon, Michelle was always surrounded by creativity. Michelle learned first hand the intricacies of working with different elements by her grandfather, Raymond. As the namesake of Delicate Raymond, he was a noted Pacific Northwest lapidary and gemologist often bringing Michelle along to watch him work. “He would emerge from his shop with these beautiful gems, and I imagined myself wearing them as necklaces and bracelets,” Michelle recalls. “He helped me realize that I could turn my visions into concrete pieces, and seeing my sketches come to life has been an amazing experience.” Encouraged by her jewelry designer mother, her artist uncle, and just one thousand dollars in start up capital, Michelle turned her childhood dream into reality with the birth of Delicate Raymond in 2005, with a simple goal: to surpass all trends and produce timeless, affordable and sustainable pieces.

The full collection of Delicate Raymond includes necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Michelle is consistently inspired by her surroundings and reflects on her time living and traveling abroad in Europe, Africa and South America. From the grandeur of Old Hollywood to the Golden Altar of San Jose in Panama City; to the colorful spice markets in Marrakech and sandy beaches of California, Michelle creates successful marriages of silver and 14K gold chains with semi precious stones, pearls, and crystals. Necklaces and bracelets can be customized by length and style of chain, and monogrammed with initials or engraved with names. The results are individualized pieces that can be worn singularly or layered for a dramatic effect. Nothing is too much or too little. Each piece speaks for itself.

As a budding entrepreneur with a growing business, Michelle finds time to give back to the local community. In 2005, Michelle created a platform for young and upcoming designers in L.A. with the Melrose Co-op, a weekly indie designer sale event on Melrose Avenue. In addition, a part of the proceeds from Delicate Raymond sales are donated to charities close to her heart, like Breast Cancer Awareness groups and local Los Angeles charity, Para Los Ninos.

Currently, Delicate Raymond is operated out of a busy studio in downtown Los Angeles, which is home to their retail & wholesale showroom. The line is available at fine boutiques nationwide including Ron Robinson at Fred Segal in Los Angeles, Nina at Fred Segal in Santa Monica, and Charlotte Ronson in New York City, and globally in Tokyo, Japan. Pieces range from $40 - $300, and have been featured on the pages of W, InStyle, People Stylewatch, Lucky, US Weekly and Woman’s Day magazines. Michelle’s designs have also adorned the necks of young Hollywood like Mischa Barton, Carrie Underwood, Marcia Cross and Tori Spelling as well as been sought after for red carpets at some of the most recognized award shows and fashion events such as the Golden Globes, The Oscars and L.A. Fashion Week.

2010 marks the 5th anniversary of Delicate Raymond and to celebrate, Michelle will open up an East Coast showroom TBA in the heart of New York’s Fashion District, introducing a new men’s line and women’s scarves for Fall 2010.