Donna Chambers (Born 1950) American, Pair of Lee Michaels 14k Gold Mother of Pearl and Freshwater Pearl Earrings in Original Box. Created by the artist for the company in the 1990s, featuring her signature use of mother of pearl gambling chips with dangling strands of pearls and pierced backing. The octagonal box opens on a hinge to reveal the earrings within, as well as the company name printed on the rich red inner lid. 

Box Size: 3 x 3 x 1 1/4 in. 

Size of Earrings: 1 x 2 in. 

Donna Chambers was born in Ossining, New York on March 1st, 1950, and became a distinguished American jewelry designer based in White Plains. Before launching her own brand, she honed her artistic skills working for textile icon Vera Neumann and serving as an assistant to legendary fashion designer Oleg Cassini, and in 1981 she established Donna Chambers Designs, specializing in 14-karat gold and fine cultured-pearl jewelry. Her signature collections often feature intricately carved Chinese gambling chips from the Qing Dynasty, which she discovered by chance and transformed into unique pendants and bracelets. Beyond her jewelry, Chambers promoted African American culture through her long-running gift shop and gallery, That Old Black Magic, which hosted prominent figures like Nikki Giovanni and Al Sharpton. Her work has achieved significant commercial and cultural success, appearing in major luxury retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

In 1978 Lee Michael Berg and his wife Brenda opened a jewelry store in Baton Rouge, Louisiana called Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, investing all their savings and selling their home to start it. They began by representing local jewelers before quickly expanding into being direct importers of pearls, gems, and gold, and in 1983 their business began to grow exponentially after becoming an Official Rolex Jeweler, opening new locations in New Orleans and Lafayette. In the 1990s they expanded outside of Louisiana, opening stores in San Antonio, Texas, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Ridgeland, Mississippi, and in the 2000s they added their newest store in Shreveport, representing major names like Patek Philippe and David Yurman. Since 2016 the Berg’s three sons (Chad, Scott, and Ryan) have taken over leadership of the company, continuing to expand despite economic uncertainties and the COVID-19 pandemic.       

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