Terry Castro

Terry Castro
Born
Terry Castro

1972
Toledo, Ohio, United States
DiedJuly 18, 2022(2022-07-18) (aged 50)
Istanbul, Turkey
EducationSelf-taught
Known forJewelry design, Castro NYC
SpouseBelinda Castro (divorced)
ChildrenSK Castro (born 1999)
Websitecastronyc.com

Terry Castro (1972–2022) was an American jewelry designer and founder of the jewelry practice Castro NYC. Castro's work drew from West African cultural heritage and addressed themes of identity, spirituality, and mortality.[1][2] Following his death in 2022, the brand continues under the creative direction of his son, SK Castro.[3]

Early life and education

Terry Castro was born in 1972 in Toledo, Ohio.[1] Castro's mother, Mary, was a major early influence on his taste and style.[4]

Castro was entirely self-taught in jewelry making.[5][6] His entry into the field began when he wanted to possess jewelry himself and met someone with a jewelry store who suggested he learn jewelry repair.[2] This foundation taught him to dismantle and reconstruct pieces, which became fundamental to his creative process.[2]

Career

New York (2006–2016)

Castro moved to New York City in 2006, marking the official beginning of Castro NYC.[5] He initially sold his jewelry from a street table in SoHo, where he built his customer base over many years.[2]

During this period, Castro attracted collectors, artists, and designers who became advocates for his career.[6] He worked with clients including Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Tyler, and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top.[7][5]

Castro aimed to create jewelry that made clients "feel like rap stars" and described his clients as strong, confident individuals, stating that his female clients had to be "strong already" because his pieces were not for those who followed conventional trends.[2]

Castro faced challenges related to racial assumptions in the jewelry industry. He recalled an interview at Barneys where the buyer said, "when I walked in we thought you were some skinny white dude with a bunch of tattoos" upon seeing his skull collections.[2] At one point, Castro admitted he didn't want his face shown because he was afraid it might affect sales.[2]

Istanbul (2016–2022)

In 2016, Castro relocated to Istanbul, Turkey, where he established a design studio.[7] This period marked a significant elevation in Castro's style and workmanship.[3] He worked with Armenian craftspeople and Turkish artisans with roots in classic Ottoman jewelry-making, while outsourcing certain production elements to specialized makers in Geneva and Athens.[6]

Castro's decision to leave New York was influenced by the series of racially motivated incidents in 2014. As he explained, he believed "the source is in Africa, and I need to go to the source. Maybe I don't stay but I need to go to the source. I need to make a pilgrimage".[2]

Artistic style

Castro described his aesthetic in one word: "eclecticism",and was characterized by what has been described as a fusion of gothic and surrealist elements.[2][4][1]

Castro challenged traditional interpretations of his work, particularly regarding gothic and medieval influences. Through his research into European cathedrals, he argued: "As I was doing more research for example on these cathedrals, where did that influence come from in Spain? Oh, it came from the people who crossed over from Africa... So, I am not really doing gothic I am actually doing African".[2]

Technique and materials

Castro initially worked with brass and bronze, materials he chose for their historical significance.[2] He later incorporated precious stones and metals but never abandoned his original material choices.[2]

Castro was known for his unconventional approach to materials,[2] noting that his creative process originated from what he termed his "Dreamscape," described as "a murky world between life and death inhabited while sleeping".[1] He rarely created detailed sketches, preferring an intuitive, hands-on approach.[2]

Throughout his career, Castro maintained an exclusive production model, creating only about 35 pieces per year.[3][7]

Selected works

Major pieces

  • Falcon Crest Necklace (2021) — Considered Castro's masterwork, featuring an antique bisque winged doll pendant set with diamonds, rubies, emeralds, and pearls. Inspired by shields and bronze plates from the kingdom of Benin.[3][1]
  • Money Brooch (2021–2022) — Featuring Muzo emeralds, displayed at Sotheby's exhibitions[7][8]
  • Catmando Ring — Features an antique carved jade leopard with rubies, emeralds, and sapphires[4][1]
  • Lock Pendants Series — Signature pieces that became iconic to the brand.[3][2]
  • The Marauder Ring — Gold, diamonds and sapphire piece inspired by A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders[2]
  • Drip Earrings (2021) — 18k gold and sterling silver with diamonds and garnets[7][6]

Exhibitions

Major exhibitions

  • Sotheby's "Brilliant & Black: A Jewelry Renaissance" (September 2021) — Curated by Melanie Grant, featuring 21 Black jewelry designers. Castro participated because of his relationship with curator Melanie Grant, whom he described as "the glue" of the project.[3][4][2][7]
  • Sotheby's "Brilliant & Black: Age of Enlightenment" (September–October 2022, London) — Posthumous inclusion in follow-up exhibition[7]
  • "Castro NYC Futurespective" (October 8, 2024 – January 11, 2025, Carpenters Workshop Gallery, London) — Major retrospective featuring more than 40 pieces, organized by SK Castro. Only the second time the gallery had mounted a retrospective dedicated to a jewelry designer.[3][4][9]

Personal life

Castro was married to Belinda Castro, with whom he had his son SK in 1999.[3] After their divorce, SK spent summers in New York City with Castro, often helping in the workshop.[3]

Friends described Castro as having "a very developed map of the history of the world in his head" and being like "a fountain of wisdom".[4] Designer Katherine Wallach described him as someone who "could sparkle and strut and then vaporize right in front of you".[6] He maintained a close relationship with his mother, calling her almost every day according to friends.[6]

Terry Castro died suddenly on July 18, 2022, from a heart attack at his home in Istanbul at age 50.[5][6] The jewelry community responded with tributes highlighting both his artistic talent and his generous, magnetic personality.[5][6]

Following Castro's death, his work experienced significant price appreciation.[4] According to Tamara Platisa of Carpenters Workshop Gallery, "The work of Terry Castro is finally getting the recognition it always deserved, and with that comes an increased demand for each unique piece".[3]

Death

Terry Castro died suddenly on July 18, 2022, from a heart attack at his home in Istanbul at age 50.[5][6] The jewelry community responded with an overwhelming outpouring of grief, with tributes highlighting both his artistic talent and his generous, magnetic personality.[5][6]

Following Castro's death, his work experienced significant price appreciation.[4]

According to Tamara Platisa of Carpenters Workshop Gallery, "The work of Terry Castro is finally getting the recognition it always deserved, and with that comes an increased demand for each unique piece".[3]

Legacy and brand continuation

Following Terry Castro's death, his child SK took over Castro NYC operations.[3][10]

SK has stated plans to bring cultural elements "currently not part of the studio DNA" into the work while honoring their father's legacy.[3] As SK explained: "I have a lot of culture currently not part of the studio DNA I want to bring into the work".[3]

Collaborations

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Grant, Melanie (2024-10-21). "Exploring The Gothic And Surrealist World Of Castro NYC, The Black Master Jeweller". British Vogue. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Mazzi (2021-09-27). "Castro NYC: for the love of Jewellery". MagnusOculus.com. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Dukes, Tanya (2024-09-06). "A Son Cares for a Father's Legacy in Jewelry". The New York Times. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Matthams, Kate (2024-10-08). "'It Was Vibrant': Sir King Castro Remembers Their Father As Castro NYC Jewelry Retrospective Opens". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Dybis, Karen (2022-06-25). "Remembering Terry Castro, Celebrated Jewelry Designer Of Castro NYC". JCK Magazine. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Davis, Ashley (2022-07-29). "The Jewelry Industry Remembers Castro: A Complicated, Magical Designer". NationalJeweler.com. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g Yost, Marla (2022-09-20). "Brilliant & Black: Age of Enlightenment". Sotheby's. Retrieved 2025-08-28.
  8. ^ Davis, Ashley (October 12, 2023). "SK Takes the Reins at Castro NYC". National Jeweler.
  9. ^ Silver, Hannah (2024-10-08). "Discover the fantastical jewellery world of Castro NYC in London". Wallpaper. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  10. ^ Davis, Ashley (2023-10-23). "Sir King Takes the Reins at Castro NYC". National Jeweler. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  11. ^ "Castro NYC: for the love of Jewellery". COUTURE Show. 2022.

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