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Alex Soldier is a pseudonym for Alexei Soldatov—who was born on a threshold of two continents, Europe and Asia, in the Ural Mountains region, city of Perm. This region is known for its abundant natural resources such as gold and adamants.
Based on a Russian folk legend, in the bosom of these mountains once lived a Russian craftsman called Danila, who spent seven years of his life to carve a flower out of malachite which would be ideal in form and beauty. So much time and effort had Danila invested into his creation that the final outcome turned out to be a masterpiece—the flower looked as if it had its own soul, even though it was made out of stone. This legend serves as an inspiration for Alex Soldier to this day. When designing jewelry, Soldier strives to create miniature works of art. Alex Soldier gives life to his work—be it a jewelry design or an objet d’art—making it more a piece of art than an accessory: he breathes life into each piece he creates.
When he arrived in the United States in 1990, Soldier began to work independently, trying to develop different ways of designing and producing contemporary jewelry in 18k gold and platinum and with precious gemstones. His début was in 1996, when he was chosen as one of the twelve new dynamic designers to exhibit at the celebrated Jewelers of America Show New Designer Gallery with his neo-classic collection. The show was such a success that in September of the same year, Alex Soldier was invited to have a private exhibition at the United Nations Open Day in New York City. In December 1996, Alex Soldier's collection was also displayed at the prestigious Mougans Gallery in Cannes, France. In 1998 Alex Soldier won a Platinum Passion Award from Platinum Guild International. Two years later he became a member of the International Jewelry Design Guild. In 2002 he won a prestigious Spectrum award from American Gem Trade Association. In 2003 Alex participated in Platinum Guild’s “Woman With Heart” program by designing a pendant for Brandy. One pendant was given to Brandy and the other was sold at Sotheby’s. All the proceeds went to a charitable organization chosen personally by Brandy.
Many of Soldier’s pieces are given as prizes to distinguished artists. “Triumph,” for example, is a prize awarded annually to exceptional Russian artists in art, literature, and music. The statuette is based on a design by famed sculptor Ernst Neizvestny. Soldier’s jewelry and objets d’art are sold by upscale jewelers and galleries that attract customers looking for the atypical. “Individuality is the most important feature to my clients,” he describes. “They are not looking for jewelry only for fashion’s sake; but for the soul, that which stays with them forever, like a favorite work of art.”
Appealing to the collector’s mentality, Soldier’s work, while expressing his identity, is always fresh and new. “Every time I create something I strive to find a new composition or finish of metal, unusual forms, or unique stone settings to create a piece that is beautiful and distinctive, that can be appreciated as a finished work of art. I want my jewelry to be recognized as the original works of a designer like no other, as well as for their own individuality.” For Alex Soldier, each piece he creates is a new life waiting to tell its story. More than just metal and stones, Soldier’s jewelry is as meaningful as his objects, incorporating layers of details that offer its wearer many visual surprises. No other designer in the world possesses the knowledge of the texturing techniques that Alex Soldier implements to his creations, making them original in form and unsurpassed in innovation.
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