Rena Leinov, 38, and Juliet Belkin, 35, credit bohemian parents for their creative upbringing in the USSR, where they donned toe shoes and wielded paintbrushes. In 2012, the sisters mixed these artistic leanings with a business savvy honed as Silicon Valley software developers to launch RJBIJOUX, their line of handcrafted jewelry that has graced celebrity necklines as well as a coveted InStyle spread this summer. With large gems and intricate beading, the pieces often whisper of Art Deco and always make a statement: The Cara necklace, pictured here, is a chunky adornment of dazzling druzy geodes. Off duty, catch Leinov and Belkin indulging at Hakkasan while plotting their planetary domination. This fall, they’ll debut their first ring design: a dark composition with villainous horns inspired by Angelina Jolie’s Maleficent. But the best is on the horizon. Says Belkin, “Neiman Marcus, here we come.”

This article was published in 7x7's September 2014 issue. Click here to subscribe.

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