About Us

Our Story

CRASH Jewelry was born in a place where most things come to an end: a body shop. When founder Christi Schimpke moved her metalsmithing studio into Beverly Coachcraft in Los Angeles, she found herself surrounded by Mercedes-Benz, Bentleys, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porsches, Aston Martins and more. While these cars were being meticulously repaired, Christi noticed the discarded panels—beautifully painted, high-grade metal destined for a scrap heap. She saw not waste, but a canvas. 

With a background in art history, Christi felt a responsibility to preserve the craftsmanship already present in these machines. Today, our process remains deeply personal. Each piece is hand-cut, sanded, and shaped in our Los Angeles studio. We don’t repaint or cover up the metal’s history; we work with the original factory finish, celebrating the exact colors and textures that made the car iconic in the first place.

At first glance, a CRASH cuff or necklace is a clean, contemporary study in form. The real joy, however, lies in its secret. There is a unique delight in realizing that the minimalist silver-toned cuff on your wrist was once the door of a Mercedes-Benz, or your necklace began as the hood of a Lamborghini. It’s a piece of history that stays with you, sparking conversations that go far beyond fashion.

Because these materials are finite, every piece is a limited edition of automotive history. To honor this, we include a CRASH Registration Card with every design. This documents the specific vehicle the metal was sourced from and the date it was transformed, ensuring you know exactly which story you are carrying forward.

CRASH Jewelry is our way of merging sustainability with soul. By repurposing these extraordinary materials, we create objects that are meant to be worn, collected, and eventually passed on. For us, it’s about more than just cars—it’s about the art of the second chance.

Our Process

The journey from road to wrist begins on the shop floor. We source authentic aluminum and steel panels—hoods, fenders, and quarter panels—from modern luxury marques. Because the original factory paint is our most precious material, we use “cold connections,” hand-cutting and riveting each piece to protect the finish without the use of high-heat torches.

Our artisans often layer these metals with unexpected details, like hand-hammered stainless steel from Mercedes G-Wagon wheel surrounds or accents of semi-precious gemstones. Before leaving the studio, every piece is meticulously polished and assigned a CRASH Registration Card.

Authenticity & Provenance

Crafted in the USA

Every CRASH piece is designed and handcrafted in our Los Angeles, California studio. Our skilled artisans share a deep appreciation for exceptional workmanship, ensuring each item meets the highest standard of quality and design.

The Original Factory Finish

We believe in honoring the vehicle’s legacy. Every design is crafted from authentic automotive aluminum or steel alloy, preserving the exact original factory paint. This defining detail is central to our process, ensuring that the heritage of the car is carried forward in every piece.

A Certified Collectible

Each order arrives in our signature recycled gift box, housing your jewelry in a soft satin pouch. A CRASH Jewelry Registration Card accompanies every item, certifying the specific vehicle it originated from and guaranteeing your piece’s unique story and provenance.