Alexis Bittar launched his eponymous jewelry collections in the early 90's, but the Brooklyn native's artistic flair was evident long before then. As a child, Bittar accompanied his parents to flea markets, where they collected and sold rare antiques and collectables. At the tender age of 10, Bittar showed his entrepreneurial spirit by selling flowers from a hand-painted cart across the street from his house.

Fueled by his passion for antiques, including Art Deco Bakelite and turn-of-the-century Lalique glass, Bittar began designing Lucite and semi-precious jewelry and selling it on the streets of Soho in the early 1980's. Bittar's semi-precious pieces combine the finest quality gems—such as sapphire, pink tourmaline, green amethyst and Mabe pearl—with intricate designs. Each piece is handcrafted by skilled artisans, all of whom work out of the designer's DUMBO, Brooklyn-based studio. The result is a collection of necklaces, earrings and bracelets that epitomize a refined, delicate aesthetic.