With its new Machina line, Uniform Object exposes the “subtle beauty of mechanics,” says designer David Farrugia, through industrial elements in the jewelry, such as an 18k gold bolt, balanced with antique-cut diamonds and lustrous pearls.
That Machina bolt is the foundation of the collection, according to Farrugia. On the Machina Swivel ring, bolts secure a dual-sided vessel that can be rotated on its band for two different looks. The Machina huggie earring’s bolt-shaped bezel surrounding its round diamond creates an illusion that makes the stone appear larger, he says.
“Everything we design is meant to evoke a feeling. Jewelry should challenge and elevate. It should say something,” says Farrugia.
Uniform Object Shield Cuff
Uniform Object’s larger Shield cuff (price on request) is made from 300 grams of 18k yellow gold and has 7.72 cts. t.w. emerald-cut diamonds.
In this era of ever-rising gold prices, the Machina collection’s standout may be the Shield cuff, which Farrugia calls a “formidable metal structure.” Handcrafted of solid 18k gold, it comes in two sizes and has a matching Shield ring.
Based in New York City, the Uniform Object brand debuted in 2021, a partnership between Farrugia and his wife, Katie Hansson. They both grew up in Naples, Fla., and started dating while attending the Community School of Naples.
Hansson earned her law degree from the University of Florida and worked in litigation and corporate law from 2018 through early 2024. She originally supported Uniform Object behind the scenes, but last year she decided to leave law entirely and focus on the jewelry brand full-time.
David Farrugia and Katie Hansson are the married partners behind the fine jewelry brand Uniform Object.
Farrugia’s background in marketing and art direction along with Hansson’s understanding of the law and managing logistics are a unique pairing, he says, but it’s been essential in developing Uniform Object into the company they want it to be.
Both Uniform Object and Machina, says Farrugia, are built on the idea of dualities: industrial and refined, bold and restrained, sculptural and emotional.
“Our approach to jewelry design is all about tension—balancing the avant-garde with the timeless. We’re constantly drawing inspiration from art, fashion, and music,” Farrugia says. “When we designed our first collection, we were listening to a lot of Nine Inch Nails, and we tried to capture that same raw, aggressive energy in the pieces.”
Like the pulsating beat of Trent Reznor’s music, Uniform Object’s work is emotional but calculated, says Farrugia, who aims to create precision and technicality in its jewelry.
“We’re not chasing trends. We’re building a language of form that’s distinct, disruptive, and lasting. For us, jewelry isn’t just adornment—it’s identity, it’s attitude, it’s art,” he says.
Top: The Shield ring ($38,000), featuring 2.52 cts. emerald-cut diamonds, is an example of the design work in Uniform Object’s latest collection, Machina. (Photos courtesy of Uniform Object)