Meet Delphine: The Hands and Heart Behind Your Talisman

Bonjour mes chéris!

If we haven’t yet met, allow me to introduce myself properly. And if you’ve been with me for a while, bienvenue again. I’m so glad you’re here.

I am Delphine—French New Yorker, artist, and the founder of Delphine Leymarie Fine Jewelry. I carve each original design by hand in wax, using an ancient technique called lost wax casting. It’s a slow, intuitive process—part sculpture, part ritual—infusing every jewel with intention, symbolism, and soul.

But let’s rewind a little.

From Finance to Fine Jewelry

Before I was at the jeweler’s bench, I worked in corporate finance. The work was analytical and fast-paced, but my heart craved meaning, creativity, and connection. So I answered that stirring in my soul—and enrolled in my first jewelry class at the 92nd Street Y in Manhattan. That was the spark.

The moment I discovered lost wax carving, something clicked. Here was a language my hands already spoke—a way to transform emotion into form, story into sculpture. Each piece began to feel like a talisman. And so my path shifted, from numbers to symbols, from spreadsheets to sacred geometry.

Why I Create Talismans

Jewelry, to me, is never just adornment.
It is memory made tangible. Energy made wearable.
A talisman you choose to carry—one that carries you right back.

I carve each piece as an offering. A whisper from the soul to the body.
Not to decorate, but to empower. To protect. To transform.

The symbols I work with are ancient, elemental—
their power felt long before their meaning is known.

Some of my favorite motifs include:
The serpent, coiled and ever-curious, speaks of transformation, of shedding skins and growing wiser with each cycle.
The mermaid swims deep into the self, calling in truth, fluidity, and wild intuition.
The lotus rises through mud and water, unfolding resilience with grace.
The shell protects what is sacred and listens to the rhythm of the tide.
The skull is not an ending, but a portal—an eternal reminder to live fully and love fiercely.

These aren’t just decorative elements. They’re mirrors, reflecting the strength already within you.
Modern heirlooms. Personal rituals.
Sculpted in gold or silver, but powered by your story.

Each one is a small act of devotion.
To your path. To your truth.
To the light that is uniquely yours.

✨ Curious about the meaning behind other symbols I carve? 

→ Explore the full Symbolism Guide

 

A Mindful Approach to Luxury

From the beginning, I've been committed to creating jewelry that honors both people and the planet.
That means working with recycled gold and offering Fairmined gold upon request, supporting responsible mining practices that uplift communities and minimize environmental impact. Many of the gemstones I use are vintage, reclaimed, or sourced from partners who prioritize ethical stewardship and transparency.

To deepen my understanding and commitment to sustainability, I completed a Corporate Sustainability Executive Certificate at NYU Stern.
During this program, I engaged with the ROSI™ (Return on Sustainability Investment) methodology—developed by NYU Stern’s Center for Sustainable Business—to help companies quantify the financial benefits of sustainability strategies. It provides a framework for:

• Identifying material environmental, social, and governance (ESG) strategies

• Tracking operational and strategic benefits (like cost savings, brand equity, or employee retention)

• Monetizing those benefits

• Calculating the financial return on sustainability investments

In the jewelry world, where claims of “sustainable” or “ethical” can be vague or misleading, this kind of rigor matters deeply. I wrote more about this in a recent blog post:  Lab-Grown Diamonds & Sustainability: A Designer’s Perspective

Delphine Leymarie Boheme Monstera Brooch for Reciprocity Jewels at NYCJW 2024

I also co-founded Reciprocity Jewels, a collective that connects jewelry designers directly with Fairmined-certified miners in Madre de Dios, Peru. Our mission is to foster transparency, traceability, and mutual respect throughout the supply chain. Every jewel that results from this partnership is infused with meaning, with intention, and with a commitment to justice and care.

Want to see what reciprocity in action looks like? → Read the Reciprocity blog

This is what I call mindful luxury—creating beauty with responsibility, presence, and purpose.

Learn more about my values and materials → Our Ethos

Curious about your gold options? → Recycled vs. Fairmined Gold

Energy Work & The Inner Spark

In 2023, I became a certified Reiki practitioner—a step that felt like coming home. I’ve always created from a place of feeling, but Reiki gave me a framework to consciously infuse energy, clarity, and alignment into the jewels I carve.

Upon request, my pieces can be Reiki-infused, made to hold and radiate energetic support. All are made with presence, ritual, and a sense of sacred connection. When you wear one of my talismans, you’re wearing more than a piece of jewelry—you’re wearing a little piece of light.

And this year, I’ve embarked on a new path to deepen that connection:
I’ve started my 200-hour yoga teacher training. It’s connecting me deeper to the wisdom of the body, the rhythm of the breath, and the magic of mindful movement. This training isn’t separate from my creative practice—it’s a natural extension of it. The same grounded presence I find in yoga flows through my hands when I carve, when I polish, when I breathe life into a new talisman.

SeaSpell & the Present Chapter

My most recent collection, SeaSpell, is a love letter to the sea and the treasures it leaves behind. Sculpted in sterling silver, these pieces celebrate shells, sea urchins, and mermaids—symbols of mystery, intuition, and inner power.

As a child in the South of France, I would walk the beaches collecting shells and small treasures. Even then, I was drawn to the language of symbolism, to things shaped by time and tide. SeaSpell is a return to that magic—an invitation to reconnect with your wild, intuitive self.

Want to explore the SeaSpell collection?
Dive into SeaSpell

This Is What I Believe

Jewelry should feel like you.
It should carry meaning. Memory. Energy.
It should empower you to shine brighter, trust deeper, and live more fully.

Each piece I make is crafted with soul—from my hands to yours.

Thank you for being part of this journey.
I’m honored to create for you.

With love and intention,
Delphine
Founder & Designer, Delphine Leymarie Fine Jewelry