Jenn Breznen’s Imagination Knows No Bounds
Jenn Breznen /Mined & Found
Designer behind Mined + Found Jenn Breznen’s imagination speaks to a quirky, fun and sentimental and highly collectible style of design. Her pieces are meaningful and symbolic yet draw from influences we don’t see throughout the market which distinguishes her from her peers and also has resulting in a captivating collection.
Here we speak to Jenn about her love of jewelry, what inspires her and her aesthetic:
Smiley Lace ring: a nod to always seeking and finding hidden smiles (the gemstones line up with cut outs to make smiles)
When did you first realize that jewelry made your heart skip a beat?
“When I was old enough to realize and understand how much collecting meant to my Mom. She has a great collection, some things old, some new, some costume, some very fine. But all of her pieces were extremely precious to her and symbolic. They were tokens of time and place and memory. I thought, Wow, I want to do that, too.”
What was the first piece of jewelry you coveted?
“A vintage, silver riviere necklace made of the brightest, cornflower blue paste. As a kid, I thought it was completely and totally royal. It was my Mom’s, though with the frequency that I needed to visit it, she ultimately gave it to me. I still have and treasure it to this day.
When did you get into the jewelry business?
and how?
“In my early twenties I was hired by a family owned heritage-brand jewelry and watch retailer here in Connecticut. I started as a sales associate, and left as their lead buyer over 12 1/2 years later. And I lanched my own collection in 2020.”
What were your first designs?
“My first designs were mostly beaded necklaces and bracelets, all hand-knotted on my trademarked Rainbow Silk®. Ultimately, their success built the platform for the expansion and addition of my other collections.”
How would you describe your aesthetic?
“Modern antique. I love all things with a past and really enjoy incorporating mechanics and other period design elements of older objects into my work. I keep track of random and quirky items that I’ve crossed paths with, either by way of photo or drawing. These include but are not limited to the movement of an old pulley, or the texturing on an old compact. I will draw upon this random catalog I’ve created from time to time when I seek inspiration.”
Memory pendant captures the essence of nostalgia through the silhouette of an antique inspired box camera. The touch of a blue sapphire push button reveals Memory’s secret: a hidden smile at its heart, decorated in diamond and pink tourmaline. From outside, the sweet, sparkling grin is also visible through a crystal quartz lens encircled by sparkling pavé diamond.
Who is the woman for whom you are designing?
“My designs really very often speak directly from my heart, from a moment, a feeling. Therefore, I design to speak to other hearts. Those who can see a piece’s story in relation to their own.”
Sweet Life ring: a nod to speaking from the heart and finding sweetness hidden within
Your Favorite design from your collection?
“My Hope matchbox. I released it a few years ago, though the idea of carrying your inner spark around with you always is one to which so many of ongoing and new clients have and can continue to relate.”
Hope pendant in 14K gold with diamonds and enamel matchstick tip
What pieces do you collect for your personal collection?
“Antiques pieces that are mechanical, have movement, utility, or purpose outside of simply being an adornment.”
Do you believe that jewelry has a magic to it? and if so how?
“Jewelry absolutely has a magic to it. So often we find a smile, inner strength, or courage simply by taking a moment to remember the who, when and where that we associate with our jewelry. There are very few other things in life that imbue us with such superpowers.”
Eightfold chain: showing my Rainbow Silk® weaving
Favorite sentimental piece handed down to you?
“My Grandmother’s engagement diamond. She was an absolutely extraordinary individual. I’m grateful that I have the chance to both share and add to its story. For its time with me, I’ve reset it into a platinum bezel with my yellow gold Lace style chain. It is one piece that is always with me and also one that I have reworked as a piece in my collection”
Lace pendant: a one -of-a kind necklace set similarly to how I’ve set my own heirloom diamond with aquamarine center stone
In Partnership with Mined + Found
