Santa Fe jewelry designer and Graduate Gemologist Joseph DeBella has traveled the world over living and visiting over 55 countries. He has made countless journeys throughout Africa, Southeast Asia, India, Pakistan, Israel, and Europe in search of the finest, most rare, and elusive gems. His artistry in both contemporary and classic jewelry designs has been established over more than 50 Years. deBella Fine Gems & Jewelry Arts has showcased Tiffany & CO, Rolex, David Yurman, Roberto Coin, Alex Sepkus, Dubey & Schaldenbrand, Ebel, Mont Blanc, Breitling, Maurice LaCroix, Tag Heuer, and Swatch in five different downtown Santa Fe store locations. Currently private appointments can be made to visit deBella at the Lensic Theatre, opened in 2014. Joseph was joined in the business he founded by one of his four children, John in 2014. John was born and raised in Santa Fe, then had the opportunity to attend the University of Denver on academic scholarship attaining an undergraduate dual degree in Political Science & Economics in 2010 and returned to DU attaining an M.B.A in 2021. John has also lived and visited over 35 countries creating a globally relatable worldview. Beyond John’s upbringing and passion for Diamonds, Gems, and Jewelry – John is a Gemological Institute of America credentialed AJP and Diamond Graduate. Joseph & John both continually elevate their knowledge and invest in their craft to be able to provide the best insights and expertise to their clients. Joseph has also completed the GIA Global Leadership Program through Harvard Business School in 2018. Joseph and John DeBella of deBella Fine Gems & Jewelry Art separate themselves from hobbyists and merchants in the jewelry trade by educating themselves in order to educate their clientele and by getting out of their stores to interface and engage in global jewelry commerce. deBella aims to be not just one, but many cuts above in design and quality. deBella creates jewelry for people who Know and Love jewelry.
The summer of 2023 Joseph and John welcomed the newest Flagship deBella boutique, deBella on the Plaza open to the public and showcasing one of a kind designs, Fine Jewelry, High Jewelry, Estate Jewelry and select timepieces. The majority of jewelry on display at both deBella at the Lensic & deBella on the Plaza are designed and created to be One of a Kind limited edition pieces of wearable jewelry art. Along with deBella pieces, both boutiques showcase Fine Estate Jewelry and Loose Color Gemstones. deBella Fine Gems & Jewelry Arts has been established as Santa Fe’s most qualified and respected gemologists and jewelry boutique spanning five decades specializing in Custom, Diamond Jewelry, Bridal Jewelry, Color Gemstone Jewelry, Pearls, International Jewelry designers, and important Estate Jewelry and Timepieces. In a world of homogenous jewelry, deBella strives to make jewelry truly special creating pieces for clients that are designed to balance both form and function.
Raised in the small southern Colorado town of Trinidad, DeBella’s interest in rocks and minerals began early as he collected minerals and petrified wood boulders near his family home. His father introduced him to the skills of electric welding and gas torch fabricating in copper, brass and other metals. Eventually, he began to produce sculptures and jewelry which were sold at local galleries throughout Colorado.
Following years of travel, he planted his roots as a Santa Fe jewelry designer, in tandem with his wife Judi. Together they founded deBella Fine Gems and Jewelry Arts. This establishment evolved into New Mexico’s most prominent purveyor of exceptional gems and jewelry for over fifty years.
DeBella continues to exercise his creative instincts and love of jewelry design and making for selective clients worldwide. He is equally delighted to consult in the remodeling of existing pieces according to direction.
His formal education includes degrees in Art, Industrial Arts, Business, and secondary Education as well as formal training in jewelry arts, hand engraving and manufacturing. He is a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica California, the recipient of two Platinum Honors Awards from the American Gem Trade Association, and has served as president of the New Mexico Jewelers Association.
Graduating from Adams State College, Joe has degrees in Art, Industrial Art, Business, and Education.
After graduating from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Joe worked as a bench jeweler under a master diamond setter and master jeweler, then was hired to build jewelry stores in various cities throughout the United States. It entailed finding the location, designing the store, and hiring and training the sales staff and shop personnel.
To further Joe’s experience, he went to a diamond importer and worked as a diamond grader.
Because of his love of colored stones, he traveled into Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia and established his first component that sold wholesale colored gems and diamonds to the trade while designing one of a kind jewelry for some of his gems so that he would set himself apart from other gem dealers.
With Joe’s formal education and real life experience in the jewelry world, he has set himself apart from the crowd of traditional as well as designer jewelers.
Joseph and his wife Judi established deBella Fine Gems and Jewelry Arts in Santa Fe over fifty years ago and became the premier jewelry store in New Mexico, representing Joe’s own designs, Rolex, Tiffany, David Yurman, Ebel, Tag Heuer, Breitling, Roberto Coin, Alex Sepkus, Mont Blanc as well as other national and international jewelry designers. Today Joseph’s son, John works with Joe and continues the deBella legacy in Santa Fe. View the deBella collections in-person at deBella on the Plaza, connect via social channels, and reach out at info@deBellaJewelry.com.