Leo Genkin
New York-based jeweler, Leo Genkin, has been honing his craft for decades, long before he moved to America. Originally from Moscow, Leo became one of the top jewelers in his field. He gained recognition for his distinctive, art deco style that brought to life detailed, statement pieces made of silver, gold, and platinum. His mastery and exceptional designs earned him the opportunity to create crowns for the winners of the Miss USSR pageants and, following the fall of the Soviet Union, the first Miss Russia competition. Afterward, he moved to the United States.
You can view some of Leo’s winning creations a the bottom of the gallery page.
Leo’s New York chapter began with a position at Stuart Moore Jewelry Gallery in Soho, followed by participation in group exhibitions where he sold many of his pieces. He then returned to school, taking classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology to study under masters, including renowned jewelry designer, Professor Maurice Galli. In 2014, Leo opened up his own school, Legen Art Jewelry School, where he taught for several years, guiding his students in combining age-old techniques with contemporary design.
Leo would best describe his work as sculpture in smaller form in an art nouveau style. He intertwines his classical, decorative jewelry making with symbolic animal motifs such as frogs and ravens. Each form is carefully designed and strategically arranged to maintain a sense of balance. As an artist, Leo strives to continuously evolve his style and push the boundaries of his creations. As a jeweler, his goal is to craft one-of-a-kind pieces for individuals as unique as his designs.
