KIMA fine JEWELRY
tradition and precision
KIMA is about showing up for the work. Not the kind of jewelry that’s designed to look effortless, but pieces that reflect time at the bench, technical discipline, and a willingness to push things a little further each time.
Based in Oakland, California, KIMA is the work of Isabel Dennis. Isabel trained under master diamond setter Alexandre Sidorov in Antwerp, where she built a deep foundation in traditional pavé and diamond setting. That training still sits at the core of her practice, even as her work continues to evolve.
She specialises in pavé, wax carving, and diamond setting, combining old-world metalsmithing with modern tools like microscopes and pneumatic engraving machines. In Isabel’s studio, technology isn’t about speeding things up. It’s about gaining control, sharpening precision, and making increasingly demanding designs possible.
Every KIMA piece is hand-cut and set in house. That level of involvement is intentional. Working directly with each stone allows Isabel to respond to its quirks and character, whether she’s setting modern diamonds or working with antique gemstones. The stones are chosen not just for beauty, but for the questions they raise and the challenges they present.
Custom and bespoke work play a big role in the studio. These projects give Isabel space to experiment, refine, and test her limits. She often builds in difficult elements on purpose, settings that require rethinking, proportions that push comfort zones, details that demand full attention. Progress comes from tackling the hard parts head on.
Visually, KIMA’s jewelry feels confident and considered, but never overworked. There’s a balance between precision and intuition, between structure and experimentation. You can sense the decision-making in each piece, the problem-solving that happens along the way.
KIMA isn’t about chasing a fixed look. It’s about keeping the work moving forward. Each piece marks a moment in Isabel’s ongoing practice, shaped by skill, curiosity, and a commitment to getting better with every cut, every stone, every setting. In a landscape that often rewards speed and repetition, KIMA takes a slower route. Jewelry made with focus, intention, and a genuine respect for craft.
