Meet the Artisans: Past, Present, and Future
What began with a stone artisan in a Mediterranean village in the late 1800s eventually grew into a multi-generation tradition of craftsmanship, gemstone expertise, and design—carried forward today by father-and-daughter jewelers Jim and Sophie Stradley.
Discover the artisans who shaped Stradley & Daughter's past, and the jeweler continuing its story today. Each generation has brought its own knowledge and perspective to the craft, creating a legacy built on both tradition and innovation.
Ivan
The Stradley tradition began not in a jewelry shop, but in stone.
Great-grandfather Ivan lived along the Croatian coast in the late 1800s, where he worked as a stone artisan shaping decorative and architectural stone by hand. In that region, stonework was a respected craft often passed from father to son, and the traditions of the Adriatic coast run back centuries.
Ivan and his wife raised a large family of ten children—five boys and five girls—during a time when life along the coast could be both beautiful and difficult. Like many families of that era, they endured the loss of several children in early childhood, a reminder of the hardships common in the nineteenth century.
Genealogical records trace our family’s presence in this region back to the 1730s. Though photographs from that period have not survived, the traditions of careful workmanship and respect for natural materials began there—values that would eventually evolve into the family’s later work with gemstones and jewelry.
Matteo "Matt"
Matteo “Matt” and his wife Milka “Emily,” shown here with their children Antonio and Geraldine.
Matt immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island in 1906 alongside his brother Pietro. Like many new arrivals, they first found work wherever they could, including time laboring in Vermont’s granite quarries.
Eventually the family settled into a more stable life running an Italian restaurant. Milka was known in the family as a force of nature—an exceptional cook whose kitchen helped sustain the household during years when opportunity was uncertain.
While the restaurant provided the family’s livelihood, the traditions of working with stone and precious materials never disappeared. Matt maintained the meticulous habits of a craftsman, and those sensibilities would later shape the next generation.
His grandson Jim Stradley would grow up absorbing those lessons of patience, discipline, and careful workmanship—values that would later define his career as a master gem cutter.
Pietro & Antonio
Pietro and his nephew Antonio.
Matt’s brother Pietro shared the early immigrant journey to America. His life, however, was deeply marked by the First World War.
Pietro fought in the trenches and returned home with what was then called “shell shock,” now understood as severe psychological trauma. Family members later remembered him as a quiet presence in the home—often sitting silently in the corner of the parlor, keeping largely to himself or spending time in nature.
Despite the hardships he endured, Pietro remained part of the family’s world and its traditions.
Antonio, Matt’s eldest son, would eventually carry the family name into the next generation. He later moved west to California in search of opportunity, reflecting a pattern common among immigrant families of the early twentieth century as siblings and cousins spread across the country while remaining tied by shared roots.
Geraldine
Matt and Milka’s daughter Geraldine—known in the family as Gerrie—was the mother of Jim Stradley.
Though she was not involved in the jewelry trade, she was an important part of the family’s story. Geraldine died very young, when Jim was only seven years old. Her absence shaped the family deeply, and her memory remained part of the family’s history.
Jim Stradley
Shown here in 1978, with a record breaking gemstone.
Jim Stradley grew up surrounded by the traditions of craftsmanship passed down from his grandfather Matt and great-uncle Pietro. From an early age he learned the patience and discipline required to work with stone—lessons that would eventually lead him to specialize in the art of gemstone cutting.
After serving in Vietnam, Jim returned home determined to build something meaningful. Over the following decades he established one of the largest lapidary operations in the United States and developed a reputation for exceptional precision and artistry in gem cutting.
Widely considered one of the world’s premier gem cutters, Jim’s work has been recognized by collectors, museums, and professionals throughout the gemstone industry. His stones are held in the collections of leading institutions, including the Smithsonian.
Beyond his technical achievements, Jim has spent years sharing his knowledge with others—traveling internationally to teach gemstone cutting skills and supporting projects that build schools, wells, and community resources.
Today he continues to cut remarkable stones in his workshop, carrying forward a family tradition of craftsmanship that began generations earlier in stone villages along the Adriatic coast.
Sophie Stradley
Fifth-generation jeweler Sophie Stradley was raised in the jewelry trade and trained under her father from an early age.
Today she leads the design direction of Stradley & Daughter, creating jewelry that blends traditional craftsmanship with deeply personal storytelling. Her work focuses on heirloom redesign, custom pieces, and original designs that reflect the lives and journeys of the people who wear them.
Growing up, Sophie remembers spending hours in her father’s workshop, sitting on his lap in front of the cutting wheel. From that vantage point she watched rough crystals slowly transform — from dull stone into something brilliant. The smell of rock dust filled the air, and the cooling water flowing over the spinning wheel often misted her face as the gem took shape. Those early moments, watching beauty emerge through patience and skill, quietly shaped her understanding of craftsmanship.
Now, she continues the Stradley tradition, creating jewelry meant to be worn, loved, and passed down for generations.
Who We Serve: You
Do you value originality of design? Do you feel a deep connection to the jewelry you wear? Do you cherish your personal journey and the importance of family legacy?
If so, you are in the right place.
The pieces you choose are not simply accessories. They are heirlooms, symbols of love, and markers of life’s most meaningful moments.
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We warmly invite you to schedule a virtual consultation with us.
From the comfort of your home, you can explore our services—whether you are searching for a timeless piece, designing custom jewelry that tells your story, restyling an heirloom, or seeking expert repair.
Our team is not only highly skilled, but genuinely passionate about guiding you through every step of the process.
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