Skelton Jewelry
Industrial-inspired jewelry made from ethically sourced materials in Pittsburgh.
Who is Samantha Skelton?
Samantha graduated from Edinboro University in 2009 with a BFA in Fine Art and Art History and went on to Miami University, where she earned an MFA in metalsmithing. While Samantha originally studied graphic design, she took some electives in metals and sculpture. She started selling her jewelry in local trade shows and festivals in 2011.
With the help of artist friends, including the gallery director at the Society for Contemporary Craft and Nonprofit Craft Museum, Samantha began making her artistic pieces more sellable. After several years building her eponymous line, she began showcasing work in stores and galleries and eventually opened her store in 2016.
Skelton Jewelry Designs
Samantha Skelton makes genuinely unique pieces, many of them one of a kind.
Samantha’s Insights
“Making something by hand takes a little longer. There’s some patience involved in that. It’s worth the payoff to go with an independent, one-of-a-kind experience. It’s something that you only buy once in your life.”
- Samantha Skelton
4049 Penn Ave
The storefront has clean lines and details similar to the jewelry pieces inside—textures and finishes that evoke Pittsburgh's steel-town heritage. While the main focus is her line, Samantha has a penchant for pottery and features several ceramic artists on her shelves. Everything in the store is true to their handmade, small-batch ethos.
Social Style
Samantha’s Story
Pittsburgh Pride
Based in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Samantha and her assistant designer, Rachael, make every piece of jewelry onsite in the store. Skelton Jewelry is proud of its hometown’s roots in manufacturing and steel production. Samantha makes a bracelet called the “Pittsburgh bracelet,” available in both solid silver or solid gold, with or without diamonds or gemstones. She takes the metal when it’s soft and annealed, and she hammers it into the concrete in front of her store. That gives the metal a sort of granular texture and irregular sparkle. It’s like having a part of the gritty city embedded in the bracelet.
When Samantha opened her store in 2016, she was inspired by makers like Todd Reed, who invited people into their studio to watch them make jewelry. She thought there was nothing cooler than seeing your favorite everyday piece being made. Now her biggest inspiration is her customers, who pushed her to source unique diamonds and sapphires. Samantha’s customers bring her “the most interesting ideas I would never even think of.”
Skelton Jewelry initially relied heavily on word of mouth. They've grown an Instagram following and now have customers across the country. Their gender-neutral pieces have a delicate, classic style with an industrial edge that appeals to different aesthetics. They use exciting textures and finishes to create unique pieces for men and women of all ages.
Giving Back
Samantha serves on the Board of the Lawrenceville Corporation, which aims to keep big chain stores out of small business sectors. Another organization she supports is the Society for Contemporary Craft, who honors the tradition of craft and the artists behind them; they supported Samantha when she was starting out, and she helps them continually. Samantha is also a firm believer in libraries and makes donations to keep them up and running.
Sustainability
Mixing traditional and modern metalsmithing techniques, Samantha uses only ethically sourced materials. She seeks out fair trade diamonds and gemstones. Using recycled metals is also a priority. In addition to her sustainable practices, her jewelry is produced in limited quantities.