Meet Ali

Serpentine Jewels is led by founder Ali Galgano, whose work unites the science of gemstones with the art of design, guided by a distinct eye for color, form, and style. Her lifelong passion for jewelry, deep curiosity about the people who wear it, and genuine devotion to her clients inform every piece we create.

After graduating from Cornell University, where she studied history and design, Ali began her career at Goldman Sachs while pursuing jewelry-making and gemological studies on the side. She later earned her Graduate Gemologist (G.G.) diploma from the Gemological Institute of America and completed formal training in jewelry design.

In 2008, Ali founded Charm & Chain, an early pioneer in the online jewelry space. She grew the company into a nationally recognized brand before its acquisition in 2015.

Alongside building that business, Ali began working privately with clients as an engagement ring consultant. Through that work, she recognized a gap in the market. Clients were often forced to choose between value-driven sourcing with little emphasis on design, or highly branded retail experiences with significant markups and limited flexibility. She believed there should be a better way.

Following the sale of Charm & Chain, Ali formalized what had already begun to take shape. She founded Serpentine Jewels as a modern evolution of the private jeweler - bringing together gemological expertise, thoughtful design, trusted guidance, and long-term partnership in one seamless practice.

Over the past decade, Ali has worked with thousands of clients to source gemstones, redesign heirlooms, build collections, create engagement rings, and commemorate life's most meaningful milestones. Her approach begins not with the jewelry itself, but with understanding the person behind it - their taste, priorities, aspirations, and story.

At its core, Ali's work is about helping people navigate the world of jewelry with confidence. Through a combination of expertise, education, design, and trusted counsel, she helps clients make informed decisions, discover new possibilities, and build collections that feel deeply personal and uniquely their own.

This year, Serpentine Jewels celebrates its tenth anniversary. Ali and her work have been featured in publications including The New York Times, Town & Country, WSJ Magazine, and People.