For Isabel Dunay, creating jewelry for Dunay Joaillier LLC is an extremely personal experience. In fact, her first piece was a sapphire and diamond ring she designed with her mother for her parents’ 30th anniversary. “The experience was incredibly fulfilling,” says Dunay, who brought home five beautiful stones, which her mother selected from, discussing the qualities of each one with her. “I’m delighted to say that my mother still wears that cherished piece to this day.”
Even when she isn’t designing jewelry for her family, the local jewelry maker whose collection you’ll find among the beautiful pieces in the jewelry case at our store, 365 Collective in Greenwich, CT, says her inspiration for her ready-to-wear jewelry comes from the personal connection she has with each piece. “I love creating pieces that I personally love to wear,” she adds.
Beginnings
Isabel Dunay wasn’t looking to go into the jewelry business when she took a jewelry-making class her senior year of college at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. But she fell in love with the process and the creativity involved. “It truly captivated me,” she says. She enrolled in the Gemological Institute of America in New York City to obtain her graduate’s degree in gemology and the rest is history. “During my time at GIA, I had the privilege of working in the lab where diamonds are certified before reaching the market,” says Dunay. The experience proved invaluable. Eventually, a friend recommended her to Tiffany & Co., where she became their youngest diamond grader. “Working there was an exhilarating experience, and many of the suppliers I met there have become lifelong friends,” says Dunay.
Her favorite works are those with lots of color. She uses sapphires, turquoise, aquamarine, tanzanite, topaz, moonstone and other precious gems in many of her pieces as well as custom selections for commissioned pieces. “I consider myself a colorful person. Most people don’t love color as much as I do,” says Dunay. To accommodate customers who prefer a more subtle design, she also creates lots of gold pieces, some with diamonds, for a more everyday wearable look. Her charm and huggie earrings have become wildly popular among her clients. “You can switch out charms to create unique new looks,” she says of their versatility.
Dunay says clients around the country have different tastes and while some prefer larger, more colorful pieces like the diamonds and natural turquoise ring, the flower necklace, or the blue topaz Maldives ring, others tend to gravitate toward her simple and classic designs, like the huggie earrings for everyday wear, the diamond feather earrings for a night out, or the simple yet spirited butterfly necklace, a symbol of freedom and joy.
As a Greenwich resident since childhood, wife of 34 years and mother of two, Dunay understands her client because she is her client. When she isn’t designing jewelry, she is shopping on Greenwich Avenue, racing in sailing regattas, walking at Tod’s Point, gardening or playing pickleball with friends. Her line has evolved with more valuable stones and unique pieces as she grows in confidence that she understands her clients’ needs and wants and how they are living. This enables her to bring their vision to life. “This evolution reflects not only my personal growth but also my commitment to providing exceptional jewelry that resonates with my clients,” says Dunay.
A significant portion of her business revolves around custom pieces to celebrate life’s milestones: engagement rings, anniversary eternity bands, and new pieces crafted from unworn heirlooms. “I genuinely enjoy getting to know my clients, and there’s nothing quite like the thrill of crafting a unique piece that they will cherish for years to come,” she says.
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, this time of year is a wonderful reminder of her company’s roots and the inspiration behind her work. She usually celebrates the holiday with her own mother, (her first client), who lives just a mile away, with a special dinner and a gift card to her favorite garden center. “And jewelry of course,” she adds. Designing pieces for her clients to give to their mothers hits home for her in a personal way, a reminder of how she got started.
To celebrate the occasion, Dunay will be hosting a live Mother’s Day Trunk Show on Saturday, May 10, at our store, 365 Collective by Abigail Fox + Serendipity located at 315 Greenwich Ave., from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “Mother’s Day is a wonderful occasion to celebrate the incredible women in our lives. I believe that every mother deserves recognition and appreciation,” says Dunay. “When someone gifts one of my pieces to their mother, it serves as a heartfelt testament to her value and love. Each piece carries a story, whether it’s a custom creation for a milestone moment or a cherished heirloom updated for a new generation. It’s always meaningful to be part of such significant expressions of love and gratitude.”
