Photography: Alexandra Frumberg

Ali Galgano, founder of the online jewelry boutique, Charm and Chain, left her career as a corporate recruiter for Fortune 500 firms to pursue her passion for jewelry. This certified gemologist is fond of brightly colored gems and describes her personal style as “elegantly eclectic.” Ali’s love for unique and lavish gems means her online boutique has an amazingly curated selection of designers such as FALLON, Lizzie Fortunato, and DANNIJO. We were invited into her New York City home for an inside look at her style and stunning jewelry collection.

Shourouk Necklace, Alexander Wang Blazer, JCrew tank top

What inspired you to start Charm & Chain?
Over the years, whenever I’ve worn my favorite statement jewelry I would often be asked by friends, acquaintances, and even complete strangers that incredibly flattering question every girl loves to hear, “where did you get that?!” I felt that creating Charm & Chain would be a great way to showcase and share my favorite pieces and designers, while providing a unique retail experience for jewelry lovers.

“My bedroom jewelry wall.”

How do you select designers to carry on the website?
Our goal is to always present a comprehensive, but not overwhelming, selection of styles that address the varying tastes of our clients. There are many qualitative and quantitative factors that go into the decision to carry a new designer, but most importantly, I have to have genuine faith in his or her talent. We carry the pieces that we are excited to wear ourselves and are made by designers we believe in and want to showcase.

“Candlesticks from Wisteria, coffee table from ABC Carpet & Home, room spray by Diptyque in Baies, one of my favorite scents. I go through the candles too frequently so I had to get the room spray!”

In a Marni vest, Marc Jacobs jeans, J.Crew white button down, Alexis Bittar earrings, DANNIJO necklace, FALLON cuff. “The pictures in the background are an antique store find—they’re spray painted drawings by a Russian artist from the ‘80s. I thought they resembled me and Dan, my fiancé (with whom I share my apartment).”

How would you define your personal style?
I asked my fiancé this question and he said “outrageous!”…but re-phrased his answer to “elegantly eccentric.” I think both descriptions are probably true. I’m big on accessorizing with tons of jewelry, and I’m always wearing something bold or brightly colored.

Ali in a Jill Stuart dress