Wolfgang Vaatz
My career as an artist started in 1986. Throughout my exploration of different media over the years, starting with painting, followed by sculpting, finally designing and fabricating jewelry, the expression of my art remains the same – translating my experiences of natural landscapes. I feel privileged and grateful to have the opportunity to explore remote pristine places in nature which I then share through creating art.
I started working as a serious studio jeweler in late 2012, after moving to southern Arizona had rekindled my childhood fascination with gems and minerals. I drew from my previous sculpting and painting techniques to create unusual, scaled down works. My jewelry is collected and featured in exhibitions and galleries nationwide and abroad.
In terms of formal training, I shortly attended Munich’s Kunstakademie after finishing high school in Germany; however, I soon left unsatisfied with what the art institute had to offer. Instead, I looked to the Namib desert – Namibia as my country of birth – in search for my voice as an artist. Thus, my art career started, leading me back to Germany and then to the US. Since 1996, I have been a proud, yet lately, rather concerned US citizen.
Over the few years, my wearable art work has been prestigiously recognized. In three consecutive years I have been a Saul Bell Design Award winner (2016 – 2nd place, 2017 – finalist, 2018 – 1st place). I have been a Niche finalist (2016), was named Centurion’s Emerging Designer winner (2018) and was published in SNAG’s (Society of North American Goldsmiths) first JaMS publication (Jewelry and Metalsmithing Survey). I also won 1st and Honorable Mention in the 2018 MJSA Vision Awards.
Showing 1–24 of 29 results
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Aspen Allure Earrings with Citrine
$385.00 -
Aspen Allure Pendant with Leaves
$475.00 -
Aspen Allure Studs with Leaves
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Aspen Dangle Earrings with 18kt Gold
$1,450.00 -
Aspen Grove Pendant by Wolfgang Vaatz
$1,075.00 -
Aspen Grove Pendant with Silver and Placer Gold
$3,225.00 -
Aspen Jewelry Collection with Argentium and Citrine
$855.00 -
Aspen Leaf Earrings by Wolfgang Vaatz
$1,450.00 -
Aspen Necklace with Gold and Silver
$3,125.00 -
Aspen Pendant with Citrine in Argentium Silver
$470.00 -
Aspen Pendant with Silver and Gold
$1,075.00 -
Aspen Tree Pendant with Placer Gold
$1,475.00 -
Aspen Tree Pendant with Silver and Gold
$3,375.00 -
Aspen Trees Pendant
$1,075.00 -
Aspen Trees Pendant by Wolfgang Vaatz
$1,075.00 -
Contemporary Cuff by Wolfgang Vaatz
$4,950.00 -
Diamond Aspen Ring in Two Tone
$800.00 -
Double Aspen Leaf Earrings by Wolfgang Vaatz
$1,500.00 -
Gold Mountain Pendant with Diamond Accent
$2,975.00 -
Mountain Cuff by Wolfgang Vaatz
$8,750.00 -
Mountain Pendant with White Diamond Accent
$3,100.00 -
Mountain Stream Pendant by Wolfgang Vaatz
$3,100.00 -
Quaking Aspen Cuff
$1,160.00 -
Quaking Aspen Dangle Earrings
$1,450.00