Gem Carver Helen Serras-Herman

(photo by M.J. Colella)

I've become very interested in gem and stone carving over the past couple of years. Helen Serras-Herman's work stands out and I've kept her in my bookmarks for a year and a half. Recently I wrote to her and asked if I could do a blog post about her work and she agreed and graciously gave me some things to post. Thanks Helen!



Helen Serras-Herman’s gem sculptures are inspired by people and mythology, especially from the ancient Greek mythology, and they often take the symbolic shape of gods, nymphs or fantastical creatures. Inspiration from the ocean or the desert is reflected in the choice of colors or textures. Her Gem Portraits are unique.

Her Sculptured Gems are all one-of-a-kind, signed and sold with a Certificate of Authenticity. All of her Jewelry Art is set in 18KT or 14KT gold or Sterling Silver, with a palette of bold gemstones. Several of her pieces have been direct commissions from private clients from all over the world.

Her diverse contemporary work is in the form of Gem Sculptures in the full round, reliefs or seals, and ranges in size from a few carats to several thousands of carats. Hard gemstones, such as Quartzes, Aquamarine, Topaz, Sapphire, Larimar and other gems with unusual patterns, brassy colors and natural mineral surfaces are featured in her artwork. Many of her works are scored with a distinct deep-line engraving structure that echoes her earlier large-sculptures style, and make them immediately recognizable.

The 18KT gold Emerald/Opal necklace “Echoes”, now in private collection, received the 1st Prize Award, in the Jewelry Division, in the People’s choice competition that took place February 2003 during the “Gem Art Gem Galleria Show” at the Historic Manning House in Tucson, AZ.

Helen’s latest theme series, “The Silver Faces Collection”, features beautiful carved gems and sculptured Sterling Silver centerpieces, which she carves by hand in wax and then casts. Her “Faces” are often woven on a backdrop of twisted and gnarled tree root images. “The Turquoise Ensembles” feature natural AZ Turquoise.

Her newest gem sculpture “The Omphalos of Earth” received the “Best of Show” Award in the 2006 fall exhibit “Pathways and Portals” at the “Tubac Center of the Arts”, in Tubac, AZ.


Please visit her website to see more of her artwork www.gemartcenter.com


“Serras-Herman is probably one of the most extensively trained artists working in Gem carving in North America – and it shows in her work…….Coming to gem carving from the vantage point of large-scale sculpture, Helen Serras-Herman creates miniature masterpieces underscored by centuries of art history” ….Cathleen McCarthy