Four Seasons Design Group on Long Island oversees the manufacturing of two American art jewelry…read moredesigners. "For over 35 years the Four Seasons Design Group has been producing handmade jewelry and metal goods right here in America! Working with designers such as Michael Michaud Design and Mercedes Schaffer to create beautiful quality products for museums and galleries all over the world." *In a quick Google search, it is unclear whether Mercedes Schaffer has her own line, or is partnered with Michael Michaud. For this review, I will focus on Michael Michaud, because he is the designer I collect and wear. Four Seasons Design Group manufactures the Silver Seasons brand, which is the brainchild of artist/designer Michael Michaud. There are now two Michael Michauds in the jewelry biz, but Silver Seasons is created by the father, the original Michael Michaud. (His full current line can be seen here: https://us.michael-michaud.com/) (Michael Vincent Michaud is the son, another fabulous jewelry designer, who works more in glass. I reviewed him separately.) A fine jewelry store will call Michaud "costume," but it is definitely ART jewelry. While the Sr. Michaud has a range of style (I prefer his abstract designs, like the driftwood collection), his botanical pieces are bent on realism, and I see them often at museum gift shops or higher-end artisan stores (first saw them at Longwood Gardens). You can also buy online. Michaud often uses real leaves, twigs, berries, etc. in his castings, but having done this in clay myself, I know that artist tweaking is required to render pronounced detail, and translate it into the appearance we crave. He uses a technique like the ancient "lost wax" method, forever practiced in African metal jewelry (and employed today by artisans around the world). Michaud's method of patinating, too, is beautiful (you can choose from 3 finishes for most pieces). And it's not just the casting and coloring of a leaf, it's the creative process of looking at these nature objects as coveted adornments. Coating a leaf in gold is cute, but Michaud shows us there are depths more to this rabbithole. He takes birch bark and wraps it around your wrist as a cuff, or hangs a Maple tree's "helicopter" (double samara) on the perfect angle to make it runway-worthy. He takes what is commonplace in the woods, and elevates it, or rather justifies it, at the bling level. I am no jewelry historian, but I have studied ancient jewelry, I am an enthusiast/collector of 20thC costume jewelry, and I have designed/made costume/craft jewelry for myself, and to sell. In my background, I've never seen the likes of Michaud's imagination and detail when it comes to a nature theme. His portfolio boasts some of the most amazing and intricate renditions ever to appear in jewelry of any fineness. Part of why I buy his jewelry is because I genuinely believe it will (eventually) grow in value in the vintage costume market. That said, Michaud pieces are still affordable. This is not Yurman, David Lin, or a couture fashion house at Nordstrom. While popularity and exposure may aid in the worth of department store stock, there is aesthetic as well as intrinsic value in the bronze, silver, and gold used in Michaud's works. Artistically, it's a matter of taste, but I think Michaud's designs are more understated, stimulating, and classic, to withstand time and trend, and be wearable for decades (if not generations). As mentioned, Michaud's works are bronze castings with patinas of sterling silver, karat gold, and colored bronze (earring posts/hooks are solid silver). He often uses a matte finish (not muted tonewise, but not shiny, nor smooth), which works beautifully. Real semiprecious stones and freshwater pearls are incorporated in many designs. (With a recent explosion of Chinese pearl production in huge varieties of size, shape and color, I am seeing more and more fw pearls in his newer pieces.) Michaud Sr. also has a line of tableware, which is great for special occasion gifts. Nature themes can blend with any table settings, and add a little fun to an otherwise formal dinner. He also makes an occasional trinket box, baby tooth cache, or other fun keepsake type item. A word of advice, if you see a piece you like, grab it. Michaud retires his designs after a time, and I have admired something too long, only to find it unavailable, or doubled in price because it is now one of the very few of its kind left. While some materials may be imported, all Michaud pieces are made at Four Seasons Design Group on Long Island, USA.