✦ The house
Nate Waxman & the house of Swoboda
Nate Waxman became Edward Swoboda’s partner in 1963. As chief designer, he steered Swoboda through its greatest period of expansion — and today he still offers Swoboda pieces directly to collectors.
Since 1963
Edward Swoboda founded the workshop in Los Angeles. Nate Waxman joined him as partner in 1963 and became the designer and architect behind the brand’s success, overseeing the business through its greatest period of growth.
Real gems, the real look
Swoboda’s idea was simple and radical: genuine gemstones — jade, coral, opal, moonstone, garnet, amethyst, pearl — in intricate, hand-set designs, at costume-jewelry prices. Precious-looking jewelry you could actually wear.
Made by hand in the USA
Every piece is set by hand and finished in 24-karat gold plate. Many are signed “Swoboda”; pieces that were never signed — because the design left no room, or because they predate the signature — come with an original signed Swoboda tag.
An heirloom, guaranteed
Treated with care, a Swoboda piece lasts a lifetime and can be passed to the next generation. If yours ever needs a repair, send it back: Nate’s workshop repairs it and pays the return shipping.
✦ Stones
The stones we set
Amethyst, aventurine, carnelian, chrysoprase, citrine, coral, emerald, garnet, jade, moonstone, onyx, opal, freshwater pearl, peridot, rhodonite, rose quartz, ruby, sapphire, sodalite, tiger’s eye, tourmaline and turquoise.
Stories from the archive
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Film · Japan · 2 min read
二人の瞳: Margaret O’Brien, Hibari Misora and a Poster in Nate’s Archive
In 1952 Hollywood child star Margaret O’Brien went to Japan to make 二人の瞳 (Futari no Hitomi) with Hibari Misora. Decades later she posed with its poster — in Swoboda.
Hollywood · Friendship · 2 min read
Margaret O’Brien, in Swoboda
The MGM child star of Meet Me in St. Louis appears again and again in Nate Waxman’s archive — at lunches, galas and award nights, wearing Swoboda.
The House · 2 min read
Since 1963: Edward Swoboda, Nate Waxman and a Los Angeles Workshop
How Nate Waxman became Edward Swoboda’s partner in 1963, led Swoboda Jewelry through its greatest expansion — and earned a key to the city of Louisville.
