Josh and Eduardo’s story is a testament to how jewelry can be more than just an object—it can be a bridge to memories, places, and the people we cherish.
Seven years ago, the day before Josh and Eduardo left for their trip to Amsterdam—where Josh had planned to propose—he finally found a ring that felt just right. There was something about Satomi’s pieces—their unisex, organic quality—that resonated deeply. The experience of seeing the jewelry being made in the studio, paired with the warmth of the SKJ team, made the process feel incredibly personal. Wanting the moment to be perfect, the SKJ team went above and beyond, allowing Josh to take a one-of-a-kind sample ring with him to Amsterdam. And when he slipped it onto Eduardo’s finger, it fit perfectly. So much so, they never replaced it. After returning from their trip, Eduardo surprised Josh by proposing back—with an SKJ ring of his own—at the very bar where they first met in NYC.
“It’s a piece that is so special to me, and every time I see it—or see his—I think, ‘God, it just gets better and better.’ Over the years, it’s become part of our extended family. Both of our moms have pieces from Satomi, and my sister has some earrings. We recently bought a ring for one of our best friends who just moved away to Hong Kong.” - Josh
“I feel connected to Josh through the ring. I feel connected to Amsterdam because it’s where we got engaged. And I feel connected to other people who wear Satomi’s jewelry. It’s not just our little secret, but it’s something we hold in such high regard that we don’t share it with just anyone. It’s almost like we belong to a secret group.” - Eduardo
Photographed by Kristen Blush
How did you discover Satomi Kawakita Jewelry?
Josh: When I was searching for a ring for Eduardo, I wanted to focus on New York-based designers, something local that felt like a reflection of the life we've built together in this city. I realized very quickly that there's not many that felt like they were local or, it was almost like you're placing an order on Amazon.
Somehow I stumbled across a Satomi Kawakita Jewelry and there was a certain unisexness and an organicness to all the pieces that instantly spoke to me.
Eduardo: It was important for me to make the proposal experience personal, so I also spent a lot of time searching for rings.
Josh: We had talked about eventually getting married, but we never really discussed how or who would propose. In my mind, I always assumed it would be me doing the proposing, so I started looking for rings. I visited a lot of big brands, and every time I was asked, 'What is she interested in?' I would reply, 'He likes this,' and suddenly the whole approach would change. They treated me very differently.
Eduardo: One thing I was looking for in the ring was something truly unique. Knowing Josh, he had very specific tastes. He wanted something textured, something that would feel like a part of your body, like it belonged to your daily routine. Fast forward, I kind of gave up on finding that perfect ring. Then it was Josh who did all the research and, luckily, he found the ring. He ended up proposing first.
Josh: When I saw the ring, I thought to myself, this was the exact vision and couldn’t believe it was real.
What drew you to Satomi Kawakita Jewelry?
Josh: One of the reasons we fell in love with the brand was because of the organic quality of the pieces. They all felt handmade and truly unique. But it was really the customer service and the willingness of Satomi and Ali who worked at the showroom who kind of made that first proposal happen.
I saw his ring very early in the process and thought to myself "I can't jump the gun and go with the first one just yet" but after more looking and searching, nothing seemed to make me feel the way that that one did.
I was on the phone with his parents, asking for permission, while simultaneously emailing Satomi and Ali, asking if I could take the sample from the showroom and size the ring when we got back. I threw that out there on a whim, hoping it would pull at someone’s heartstrings, and they made it happen. I didn’t think the ring would fit, but it turned out to be the perfect size, and he still wears that exact one today.
Photographed by Kristen Blush
Can you describe your relationship with Satomi Kawakita Jewelry in 1 word?
Josh: I think ‘thoughtfulness’ is a great one.
Eduardo: "For me, I’d say 'connection.' I feel connected to Josh through the ring, connected to Amsterdam because it’s where we got engaged, and connected to others who wear Satomi’s jewelry. It’s about that bond, which is why we give jewelry to our family and friends. It’s really about connection. It’s not just about making a purchase. It's about being part of an experience, and that’s something really special.
We’ve even been to a couple of sample sales, and it really hit me how, beyond owning a piece, you’re becoming part of a community because all of a sudden everyone there was talking and stacking their pieces.
If I know that you have a piece, I feel like we are related. We get each other, like a family. When we brought a friend the other day to get a going-away gift, it felt like introducing them to our friends, Ali and Satomi. We were so comfortable in this space that it felt like home.
It's exciting to introduce others to this space. It’s not just our little secret; it’s something we hold in such high praise that we don’t share it with just anyone. It feels almost like we belong to a secret group.