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 the craft 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 taking jewelry-making classes in the evenings. She went on to study at the Gemological Institute of America, where she earned her G.G. degree and completed formal training in jewelry design.

In 2008, Ali founded Charm & Chain, an early pioneer in the online fashion jewelry space. She grew the company into a nationally recognized brand, earning press, industry recognition, and a loyal following, before its acquisition in 2015.

Alongside building her fashion jewelry platform, Ali began working privately with clients as an engagement ring consultant. Through that work, she saw a clear gap in the market. Clients were often forced to choose between value-driven sourcing, with little emphasis on design, or high-design retail with significant markups. She built her approach on the belief that there should be a better way.

Following the sale of Charm & Chain in 2016, Ali turned her full focus back to fine jewelry, formalizing what had already taken shape. She founded Serpentine Jewels as a modern evolution of the private jeweler—bringing together gemological expertise, refined design, and personal advisory in one seamless practice.

This year, Serpentine Jewels marks ten years in business. Over the course of her career, Ali has worked with thousands of clients to build and refine jewelry collections that mark life's most meaningful moments.

At its core, her work is about building relationships and creating pieces that carry meaning across time—often becoming part of a client’s personal history. Ali and her work is regularly featured in publications like The New York Times,Town & Country, People, and Forbes.