About Us

Hi, welcome to GIADORA! We are excited to share our story with you!

What began as a single, unexpected discovery has grown into a shared passion between a father and daughter...

Our story starts with a piece of jade—found on the beaches of Santa Barbara by my dad while I was at school there. At the time, it was simply an interesting stone. But for him, a lifelong artist, it sparked something deeper. With a background in abstract oil painting and clay sculpting, he was no stranger to working with his hands or seeing beauty where others might not. His creativity didn’t begin there, though—it was passed down to him from his own mother, an artist in her own right. In many ways, this work carries forward a third generation of artistry, a thread of creativity woven through our family over time.

When I returned home, I stepped into a space that had quietly transformed. What was once just a basement work room had become a studio—filled with tools, raw jade, and the energy of something newly discovered. Growing up with an artist father—and a lineage of makers behind him—creativity had always been a part of my life. But this was different. This was something we could build together.

We fell in love with jade not just for its beauty, but for its depth. No two pieces are ever the same—each stone carries its own patterns, colors, and layers formed over time. Even within a single piece of jade, you’ll find shifts in tone and texture that make every carving completely unique. It’s a material that asks you to slow down, to pay attention, and to work with it rather than against it. (Read more about our jade philosophy here)

Over time, we began to see something more in it. Jade feels a lot like people to us—layered, complex, and impossible to fully understand at a glance. There’s always more beneath the surface. Every piece we carve is a process of discovery, revealing something that was already there, waiting to be seen. My dad describes the jade carving experience as more of a process of listening to the jade, and following the shape it gives you, rather than carving a shape you want out of it.

Now, every piece we create is the result of that shared journey. Each carving is shaped by hand, with patience, curiosity, and a deep respect for the material. Jade is not an easy stone—it demands time and care—but that’s exactly what draws us to it.

For us, this isn’t just a jewelry business -- it’s a continuation of a lifelong creative bond, a blending of past and present, and a story still unfolding with every piece we make. We are very excited to share our work with you, and we hope you see the beauty in this stone we love so much!

When you support us, you’re not just buying jewelry—you’re becoming part of our story.

Sincerely,

John and Ali