Most of the time, I'm in the country, and the jewelry I wear I can wear in the country.

I was a baby when I began, but I knew exactly what I wanted to wear myself. I became a jewelry designer because I knew how to do something with a pencil and sketch my ideas.

I always write in pencil, so I can erase.

A big diamond necklace is nouveau riche, really. People who have wealth a long time don't wear such things.

I am jewelry and objects together. This is the Elsa Peretti name to me. It is a very good balance for me to try and create with the person in mind or with the space in mind - to imagine a bowl of fruit or something for water. It is a little bit yin and yang.

I keep my hair gray, so I like silver and platinum. For women who dye their hair, they can wear whatever they want.