Jose Balli Jewelry is a New Orleans-based company founded by Jose Balli who designs, wax carves, manufactures and assembles his jewelry line in his local studio. As an Isleño descendant of St. Bernard Parish, he creates handmade sterling silver jewelry inspired by the unique beauty and culture of Louisiana. Jose worked in a metal fabrication shop just out of high school, shaping and welding custom equipment for the oil industry. One day, while waiting for a machine to cut through an enormous pipe, he killed time by carving a tiny alligator from a scrap of soapstone. Coworkers encouraged him to take up art seriously and, thus, began Jose’s 28-year career creating over 800 unique designs with a southern twist.