Alchemy. The very word conjures images of ancient magic and mystery. Deep in primordial forests, briefly glimpsed through swirling mists, the alchemist worked with his fire and his tools, working to create precious metals from iron, brass, bronze or copper.

Raised among modern-day artisans, Gaia found himself mesmerized by their fire. Fascinated by the flame of the torch, he began melting different metals together and soldering bits and pieces of scrap metal at a young age.

Touring Europe as a young man, he found himself humbled by Swiss metalsmiths—by tools he had never seen before and skills he had never imagined. He apprenticed himself to their mastery and began to learn.

One day, Gaia spotted a tiny ring of iron next to a stone in a cold, fast-running creek. The perfect circle fired his imagination and became the seed of a new jewelry line—one centered around base metals made precious with embellishments of high-karat gold and fine gems—a line he aptly named “Alkemy.”

If the purpose of the ancient alchemists was to create precious metals from base metals, Gaia has done exactly that. By subtly redefining the underlying concept of change, he has truly—and beautifully—transformed iron and steel into sought-after, one-of-a-kind pieces of precious jewelry art.

To see more of Gaia’s magic, click here and visit his studio. www.gaiapelikan.com