Elizabeth's Biography
Elizabeth Van Tassel, G.G.
A creative at heart, Elizabeth Van Tassel is a GIA Graduate Gemologist, children’s book author, founder of Treasured Gems Jewelry and her own fine art and design studio. Through her work, Elizabeth helps others discover the artistry woven into life itself—celebrating milestones, finding joy, and embracing hope through meaningful creations and stories.
Her passion for blending beauty and meaning shines through her exquisite fine art and elevated jewelry. From contemporary landscapes and fantasy-themed artwork to thoughtfully crafted jewelry for everyday elegance or life’s most special moments, Elizabeth’s work reflects her unique eye for detail, color, and storytelling.
With a deep love for nature and imagination, Elizabeth creates paintings, illustrations, textiles, and wearable art that resonate with themes of wonder and possibility. Her fine art pieces—whether inspired by serene lakes, vivid landscapes, or folklore—invite viewers to experience beauty, contemplation, and a sense of escape. At the same time, her jewelry offers lasting heirlooms that combine craftsmanship, personal meaning, and timeless elegance. Whether creating landscapes that transport viewers to serene worlds, crafting wearable art, or capturing wonder in her writing, Elizabeth’s vision is rooted in possibility and faith.
A life-long passion for art and creating
Elizabeth’s artistic roots trace to her high school years in California, where she studied under artists Ute Goggins and Dawn Valerio. Learning drawing, painting, ceramics, and plein air techniques, she developed a love for capturing the fleeting beauty of nature and everyday life. She also took a deep interest in rocks, minerals, and gemstones studying geology at length.
Her education continued at Baylor University, where she majored in Journalism, Public Relations, and English. While there she also refined her skills in sketching, charcoals, and plein air work under mentors John McClanahan and Karl Umlauf. While having two careers in corporate marketing and public relations and later in the jewelry industry, Elizabeth continued painting and creating. Her passion for blending art and history deepened during docent training at the historic Filoli Estate and through coursework in decorative arts at the Dallas Museum of Art, UC Santa Cruz, and the DeYoung/Legion of Honor Museums in San Francisco. This enriched her understanding of art restoration, architecture, historic furnishings, and decorative arts, all of which influence her meticulous approach to design.
Life as a Graduate Gemologist and jewelry specialist
As a certified Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Elizabeth brings an expert eye to the jewelry she showcases and creates. Her background in diamond grading, colored stone identification, and advanced gemstone evaluation, helps ensure every piece carries high standards of craftsmanship, whether for an elevated everyday look or a special occasion.
Of note, her dedication to excellence at GIA earned her head-of-class status in her graduating class. In 2024, through the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers using advanced gemological vision testing, she achieved the highest rank of Superior Color Grading Category, regarding color hue detection. This rare ability for color appreciation informs everything she creates or writes with vivid scenery, complementary jewelry, and a modern take on impressionist style in her art. To see the Treasured Gems jewelry store, click below.
Always a writer
Elizabeth was first published in middle grade, having designed the cover art for the School publication and her first short story called, “My Skylight.” In college at Baylor University, she graduated with a major in Journalism and Public Relations and a minor in English and Marketing. She studied abroad in England for two summers studying C.S. Lewis’ fiction and nonfiction, and British Literature.
She enjoyed a career in marketing and public relations, working many years for Ernst & Young (now called EY) in Dallas and throughout the Southwest Region, as well as some start up companies in high technology. Elizabeth is published in multiple state and use tax and audit publications and had experience in advertising and large-scale special events.
Once she had children of her own, the creative side of writing returned in force, and she did a three-year writing residency with Jerry Jenkins’ Christian Writer’s Guild, and has been mentored by several prominent authors in the young adult, fantasy, and middle grade genres. She is currently working on a middle grade fantasy series that incorporates her experience in the world of jewelry and travels abroad, and is active in SCBWI, Realm Makers Writers Group, and the Idaho Writer’s Guild.
Turning challenges into opportunities, Public Speaking endeavors
An inspirational speaker, Elizabeth brings her creative vision to storytelling, weaving tales of mystery, resilience, and adventure infused with her gemological expertise and folklore influences. A survivor of life’s challenges, including wildfire loss, her art and stories reflect her belief in the power of hope, imagination, and light during dark times.
Based in Boise, Idaho, Elizabeth actively builds communities among artists, writers, and women’s groups. She finds joy in sharing her creative process, whether designing jewelry inspired by the natural world, painting beside Idaho’s beautiful lakes, or crafting art and STEM-based stories that inspire future generations.
At home with her husband of over 25 years and their two adventurous sons, Elizabeth continues to live creatively, seeking moments of joy in the everyday. Through her fine art, jewelry, and storytelling, she helps others embrace beauty, celebrate their own resilience, and discover the artistry woven into life itself.
Elizabeth Van Tassel ©️ 2025