Our Team
Crystalyn Aucoin
Founder and designer, Crystalyn Aucoin is based in New Orleans, Louisiana. After a decade in the jewelry industry selling luxury brands such as David Yurman, Rolex, and MIKIMOTO at Aucoin Hart Jewelers, she decided to create her own jewelry line to fill a gap she saw in the market for minimalistic yet meaningful fine jewelry. She launched Crystalyn Aucoin Jewelry in October of 2018.
Running her own jewelry brand was not always part of Crystalyn's vision, but a life-altering event changed the course of her journey. In 2016, she lost her 38-year-old husband, Ryan, to cancer. His life, his encouraging words and his death ultimately gave her the strength to unapologetically live out her purpose and continue following the sparks along the way.
Today, she navigates life with a heightened sense of gratitude and intention while encouraging others to do the same through her motivational speeches. Crystalyn enjoys speaking to women’s groups around the country and sharing tools to Design a Life you Love.
When she’s not working she is enjoying life as a single mother. She can often be found throwing a football at the park with her son Winston or cheering for him on the sidelines of his basketball games. She also loves having dinner out with friends in New Orleans or hosting a game night. Some of her favorite things include, coffee, journaling, traveling and writing. And you will always find her unapologetically following what lights her up!
Amber Menendez
Amber Menendez is Crystalyn's best friend, biggest cheerleader and occasional permanent jewelry pop-up co-host. Amber met Crystalyn in the jewelry industry over 16 years ago while working together at Aucoin Hart Jewelers. They became best friends and remained side by side partners through many ups and downs life has thrown at them.
From the very beginning of Crystalyn Aucoin Jewelry, Amber knew she wanted to help her bestie's dream come to life. She has worked part-time here and there ever since. So while they don't work together daily anymore you'll be sure to see the two of them hanging out in real life and occasionally at pop-ups together.
Amber is a mom of 2 beautiful children and a wife to a wonderful, supportive husband. She is an avid horror junkie and loves a good scare... sometimes at Crystalyn's expense! On the weekends, you can find Amber spending time with her family, enjoying the tasty foods of New Orleans, reading a good book, or napping on the weekends!
