Cristy Cali is a writer, award-winning entrepreneur, and globally recognized jewelry designer with roots in Guatemala and New Orleans — two cultures that have taught her the power of beauty, heritage, and spiritual strength.

But Cristy’s path wasn’t paved in gold. Raised away from extended family and often feeling alone, she spent much of her youth battling deep emotional struggles. As a child, bullying and isolation led to chronic depression. Yet even in the darkest moments, her creative spirit refused to stay quiet.

After Hurricane Katrina, Cristy immersed herself in her family's French Quarter jewelry business. But when she made the difficult decision to step away and prioritize repairing family relationships, she found herself lost, with no clear future — just a college degree and a broken plan. It was in this uncertain space that something powerful happened: Cristy returned to her roots not out of obligation, but from a place of pure purpose.

Creating jewelry became more than a craft — it became a healing practice. When customers chose to buy her designs, it wasn’t just financial support; it was soul-affirming validation. Every piece she created was a bridge between her imagination and someone else’s heart. That connection gave her strength. That connection gave her meaning.

In 2012 Cristy launched her self-titled jewelry brand — not from a place of confidence, but from a deep inner knowing that her art had something to offer the world. Her first design, the Please Return to New Orleans charm, created seven years earlier in the wake of Katrina, remains a cornerstone of the collection — a tribute to resilience, to home, and to never forgetting where you came from.

Today, Cristy leads a passionate team and continues to design intentional jewelry in the heart of New Orleans. Every creation is a reminder that healing is possible, beauty is powerful, and when you follow your soul’s calling, you help others do the same.