Reflective Images Celtic Jewelry

Reflective Images was one of the first designer collections that we brought to the store back in 2005. We fell in love with the great variety of celtic designs and their use of sterling silver, semi-precious gemstones and 18K gold.

We also think quite a bit of the company. Reflective Images is based in Santa Fe, NM and have built a very environmentally friendly and people focused business that we admire.

About Reflective Images

Reflective Images was founded in 1995 by Helen Chantler and Marc Choyt, a husband and wife team. Helen does most of the designing and oversees production. Marc leads a website development team and handles marketing issues.

In addition to their web and catalog business, the company sells to about seventy-five jewelry stores around the country. They also regularly have designs in national mail order catalogs and sell in the premiums and incentive market. The company has a store and workshop located at 912 Baca Street in Santa Fe, NM.

The vast majority of the jewelry on this website is made by jewelers at their location using fabrication techniques that are indigenous to the American Southwest. The company out-sources sterling silver handmade chain and a select number of finished sterling silver items to a company that operates out of Bali practices fair and ethical labor and working conditions.

Helen Chantler has always compulsively made things. Born in England, she spent her teenage years in South East Asia. Throughout her life, she traveled over much of the world, passionate in her quest to experience and understand diverse cultures that celebrate the human journey. She's always been drawn to art-- from the tribal to the finest masters.

She moved to the US in 1981, and earned her degree in South Asian Studies and Cultural Sociology from the University of Wisconsin. She landed in Santa Fe in 1986, finding a job in one of Santa Fe's finest designer jewelry studios. From the day she started to learn basic bench skills, she had to make the pieces that she sketched out, and then sell her work to make a living. During this challenging time, she became a prolific, even frenetic designer. She learned quickly: always a new idea posing greater technical challenges.

While employed, she was mainly working in a contemporary Southwestern style. Wanting to create pieces that reflected her own European roots, she started designing the initial Celtic line in 1994; and in 1995, formed her own company, Reflective Images. Today she remains the Creative Director.

To Helen, jewelry is one of the most potent manifestations of culture. Helen has enjoyed designing in Celtic motifs particularly because of her love of pattern and tribal art and what it represents. As a designer, she has pushed far beyond the traditional reproductions of ancient designs, creating contemporary interpretations.

Helen concern for the environment and human rights has made her an activist in the jewelry sector. Her company is perhaps the first company in the jewelry sector that is producing both in the US and internationally with 100% recycled precious metal.

She lives with her husband, Marc Choyt, who as a co-owner of the company, focuses on marketing, website development and ethical sourcing issues. Together, they enjoy slow food, wilderness backpacking, travel, yoga, gardening and going to the local farmer's market.

"Reflective Images, Inc. is a profitable, creative and self-sustaining jewelry company that produces beautiful designs of consistently high quality in a timely fashion. We strive to be environmentally responsible. People employed here are invested in the company's success. They are valued for their contributions and for who they are. The business' profitability supports each employee's humanity, wholeness and desire to lead meaningful lives."

Recent Awards and Recognition

* In 2008, Reflective Images was again honored with the Excellence in Business Award offered by the City of Santa Fe and Chamber of Commerce for its business practices, contribution to the local community and the jewelry sector as a whole.

* 2005, 2006 and 2008: Superior Supplier, OC Tanner Corp.* OC Tanner is the leading Premium and Recognition company in the world. They have over 300 vendors and name just three as superior suppliers. Reflective Images is OC Tanner's only supplier that has less than twenty employees.

* 2006: Finalist For Outstanding Community Business.* The Mayor and City Counsel of Santa Fe recognized Reflective Images in June, 1996 as one of Santa Fe's top five businesses, based on charitable contributions, job creation, diversity in the work place, wages, and benefit package.