About Us
Starting Out- 2017
Starting in 2017 as a second year Metals and Jewelry Design BFA candidate at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Brett Baker had his first gallery exhibition at the Create Art 4 Good Gallery in Rochester, New York, displaying a curated selection of his one of a kind jewelry. He was the first, and youngest person in the program to have an exhibition as a second year student. This lead to Brett receiving the 'Louise Epstein' award at RIT. At the time of this exhibition he was creating unique pieces of jewelry under the name 'Brett Baker Designs'.
Bench to Runway- 2017
2017 sparked Brett's reaches into fashion design and alternative materials. As a third year student at RIT, he was able to participate in the Fashion Week Rochester fashion show as a part of RIT's 'Project Runway' assignment, which was reserved for fourth year BFA students and MFA graduate students. It was at this show that Brett not only displayed his own work, but was also asked to model for other designers as a part of the show itself.
Aldebaran- 2018
2018 marked the official rebranding from 'Brett Baker Designs' to 'Aldebaran Fine Jewelry' (AFJ).
Brett's mother inspired him with the name Aldebaran. Aldebaran is the name of the brightest star in the Taurus constellation. Always having an interest in the sciences as well, this lead to the new name of the business. A unique name for the unique and one-of-a-kind pieces that Brett would continue to offer.
Jewelry/ Fashion Blending- 2018
Following the success of the start of 'Brett Baker Designs' and the rebranding to 'AFJ', as well as his first fashion show; Brett was again asked to participate in Fashion Week Rochester (now a fourth year BFA candidate). This time though, He would be apart of the team of students from RIT who lead and choreographed the show. He was the only undergraduate student to be apart of this leadership team. While not modeling this year he showed his skill by displaying a neck/ body piece that blurred lines between jewelry and fashion. This year Brett was also awarded the 'Tiffany and Co. Award', issued by RIT to students demonstrating major promise in the jewelry industry.
Gemological Institute of America- 2019/ 2020
Upon Graduating with his BFA from RIT in 2019; Brett was awarded a full scholarship to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Carlsbad, California, for the Jewelry Design and Technology (JDT) program. Initially planning to graduate in March of 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic unfortunately paused his studies until May 2020. After graduating from JDT but not wanting to return to the East Coast yet, Brett stayed in Carlsbad and continued studying at GIA, where he earned his Applied Jewelry Professional (AJP) as well as his Jewelry Design (JD) diplomas. All three GIA diplomas would be earned in 2020.
Expanded Offerings- 2020
Aldebaran Fine Jewelry started as a high quality fine jewelry business offering unique and one-of-a-kind pieces through museums, galleries, direct sales, and private commissions. After Graduating from GIA three times in 2020, the country was still largely shut down due to the Covid- 19 pandemic. Armed with his new knowledge from GIA, Brett decided to change how the business operates and who it serves in order to adapt to this changing world. While AFJ largely still offers custom pieces to the public and private clients; We now provide hand rendering/ painting services, CAD services, and 3D-printing and manufacturing services to other high end designers and stores across the country.
New York State of Mind- 2022
In late 2022 Brett made the decision to leave sunny SoCal and move the business back to New York for further expansion. He plans to continue to grow the company and set the business apart from other custom fine jewelry designers as an innovative and sought after force in the Fine and High jewelry industry.
Pearls- 2023
After moving the business back to NY, Brett almost immediately gained new clients and accounts allowing him to begin his studies in Pearls with GIA. In May 2023 He was able to start, and finish the online portion of the course in 6 days (of the 6 months allowed to take the course.). After this he made a trip back to Carlsbad to get fully certified in Pearls by GIA.
