ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A transplanted New Yorker with more than a decade and a half of experience in the jewelry industry is using her talents to help women express themselves. Mariana Chambers’ Cut and Clarity isn’t just another fashion line—it’s an opportunity for empowerment.

After working with such iconic brands as Neiman Marcus, Harvey Nichols and Urban Outfitters, Chambers is focusing on customized accessories that not only say something personal about the wearer, but also benefit worthy causes.

“The last few years, I decided to take on my one brand,” says Chambers, who relocated to St. Petersburg from New York City, one of the world’s fashion capitals. “We’re really focusing on self-expression.”

Cut and Clarity’s product line allows customers to create their own jewelry, and also support various causes. A recent, clever and sophisticated necklace design brought attention to the nonprofit Chick Mission, which raises awareness of reproductive issues for cancer survivors. And a current line inspired by a particular piece of neckwear worn by former First Lady Michelle Obama during the Democratic National Convention reminds citizens that voting is not just a privilege, but a responsibility.

Custom jeweler Mariana Chambers. (Image courtesy of Mariana Chambers)

“As these elections come up, I think the most important thing is to use our brand as a vehicle to remind us what is important,” Chambers says. “I have this privilege to vote and enact change. And I don’t take that privilege lightly.”

Chambers, a naturalized citizen born in Argentina, taught Spanish and Italian in New York. She was galvanized by the images of children being taken away from their parents by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. Among her various philanthropic efforts, she volunteers at the St. Petersburg Free Clinic, and is working with the organization to emphasize the importance of voting in this year’s election.

“We’ve got bracelets, earrings and two kind of necklaces,” she says. “You can write ‘VOTE’ or the date of elections. We’re giving them away to people and we’re giving back a portion of the proceeds to the St. Pete Free Clinic.”

Chambers has maintained a residence in St. Pete for several years, but only recently relocated full-time. She loves the area’s multicultural vibe—it’s smaller, but not that different from the mix of influences she enjoyed about New York.

“Our friend moved down here and was like, ‘why don’t you guys come visit me, you’ll really like it,’” she says. “I was immediately like, ‘where has St. Pete been all my life?’ I love the amount of culture, there’s so much art, from painted transformer boxes to murals. And when I saw the Dali Museum, I was sold.”

From her new home in the Bay area, Chambers hopes to both beautify her clientele and inspire others to take political action.

“This has always been important to me,” she says. “We’re running a campaign that says you have options, but not voting isn’t an option.”