It's VERY hard not to be totally enamored with jeweler Coomi Bhasin. One look at her photo, below, and you'll start to get it: The wild, dark curly hair speckled with strands of grey; the affinity for draping herself in layers of large-scale adornments; the use of rich gold and eye-catching gemstones...she's truly her own muse (at least we think so!) and it's a beautiful thing to behold. (Plus, she throws a mean party and is not afraid to tear up the dance floor.) Born in India and settled in the US in 1977, Coomi tried her hand at various creative endeavors including landscape designer, textile artist and architect before settling upon jewelry in 2002. Although you can see various inspirations in her designs – religion, anthropology and Eastern culture among them – every piece embodies an almost innate heritage that speaks to our souls. (We are serious, no snark here.) If you like the mix of old and new as much as us, scroll down immediately to see some epic pieces from her Antiquity line that contain seriously ancient finds like key locks, bronze shields and Egyptian lotus beads alongside 20k gold, diamonds and precious gems. Be prepared to want to start your own collection.

“I find cooking as creative as designing. ”

ANTIQUITY 20K pendant with Roman bronze key lock c. 1st - 3rd Century AD, wing design with emeralds, sapphires and diamonds.

Trinity ring in 18k white gold with a 15.89 carat Paraiba tourmaline trillion and white diamonds.

Trinity ring in 18k rose gold with a cushion-cut kunzite and diamonds.

ANTIQUITY 20k gold pendant with Bactrian bronze compartmentalized seals, c. 3rd Millennium BC.

ANTIQUITY 20k yellow gold earrings with a pair of detailed Inca silver birds, c. AD 1300 - 1500.

ANTIQUITY 20k gold bracelet with Egyptian blue lotus beads with sapphires and diamonds.

What's your idea of ultimate luxury?

My idea of ultimate luxury is to be able to spend time with my near and dear ones.

The gemstone you are currently lusting after is...

Fancy vivid orange diamond – because orange is my favorite color, as you can tell with my brand colors =)

If you could have dinner with any artist, living or dead, who would it be and why?

Leonard Da Vinci. Personally, I love his mind and the courage he had to do the things he did in those days.

If you could buy any piece of contemporary jewelry from another CFDA member, what would it be?

I would buy over-the-top-earrings.

Where's the last place you visited that inspired your creativity? Give us some details!

Bali, Indonesia: Because of its spiritualism and creativity.

If you could sit front row at any fashion show, what would it be and why?

I would sit for a Chado Ralph Rucci show – He is the one designer whose clothes I would live in. The workmanship, the aesthetics, and exclusivity of those designs are the best that I have ever seen.

If you could be anything other than a jewelry designer, what would it be?

I would be a chef. I find cooking as creative as designing.

Be honest – who is your celebrity crush?

Richard Gere

What's your spirit animal and explain why.

I don't have a spirit animal, every animal that lives and breathes is my spirit animal.

What does it mean to you to be a member of CFDA?

Being a member of the CFDA to me is a great honor. I feel that being recognized by the CFDA gives me a lot of confidence in my talent .