Swedish Born. Goldsmith. Designer. Mother of two.

About Formia Design; Creating and designing has always been a huge part of Mia’s life. Owning her own jewelry business specializing in designing custom jewelry has allowed for Mia to fulfill her passion for creativity. Trained by the most respected masters in Sweden, Mia’s technical knowledge is vast. And her modern design aesthetic is sure to please any client interested in updated and current trends in jewelry. Mia’s work is truly one of a kind and timeless.

Redesign and repairs;

In addition to designing and making custom jewelry. Mia is also experienced in jewelry repairs, redesigns, and reconstruction of pieces from clients’ heirloom jewels. Mia also replicates any of her designs you fall in love with on the website. Whether you are looking for a brand new piece or would like to redesign and update your heirloom jewelry. You can rest assured that your experience at Formia Design will be positive. And your custom designed jewelry will be elegant and breathtaking!

about formia this is who the founder is and the experience behind the scenes

Store front window at Formia Design Charlottesville

Worldwide;

Every day is a new day for learning new things in her second language and new ways to run her business. Like any mother, Mia is still working on getting her work and business in perfect harmony with raising two small children. She enjoys the responsibilities of being a mother to both her kids and business. She is excited to see what the future has in store for Formia Design in the USA.

Education and Experience:

  • 1988-1991 Jewelry School in Sweden, Dackeskolan in Mjolby
  • 1992 Journeyman Diploma
  • 1996 Goldsmith Master’s Degree
  • 1997 Degree in Design at College of Arts in Linkoping
  • 2001 Set up my own business Formia Design in Stockholm, Sweden
  • 2004 Received Best New Designer of the Year award at Stockholm Jewelry Show
  • 2004 Established Formia Design LLC in Virginia, USA

Store & Studio – Down Town Mall in Charlottesville 420 E. Main St.

“Mia is a certified master goldsmith trained in the traditional jewelry making techniques of Europe. Through a labor-intensive process using hand tools, she captures the warmth and detail of the original artwork, while also ensuring the piece is structurally strong — guaranteed to last a lifetime. She uses only solid precious metals and genuine gemstones in her pieces. We are able to hand make a totally custom, high quality piece and mail it from our Virginia-based studio in under two weeks.”

Store front of Formia DesignJewelry store display of photos of commision workWorking jewelry studio at formia Design storeFormia Design Store jewelry cases in glassFormia Design jewelry store looking in through windowDiplomas of goldsmith Mia van BeekBranding of jewelry store in Charlottesville VA

It is heating up on this jewelers work bench for Valentines DayHand toolsHand tools of a goldsmith on work bench, close up image of pliers a goldsmith uses for hand fabrication of jewelryJewelers workbench for Gold smith Mia van Beek in a close up of jewelers saw, files, graver and small flex shaft tools. Includes a necklace from artwork.Sawing white gold Mia sawing in white goldJewelry photo booth set up to take daily images of work created by Formia Design, each piece carefully made by hand!Melting gold in time for casting, pieces created in wax or pieces recreated more than ones are being cast in Formia Design studio USA Jewelry sawing close up in white gold, Mia van Beek cutting out a design from a kids drawing, watch your drawing come to live in a piece of jewelry!Electrical welding to quick solder jump rings together, new fast alternative to traditional solder for jewelers Experienced goldsmith expertice provided!Graver gemstone setting for channel setting it is used for cleaning up edges around gemstones for the extra polished shine

How the kid’s art as jewelry Started…

The idea of using children’s drawings to make jewelry was born in 2008 when Mia van Beek was trying to think of a gift for her daughter’s preschool teacher. Being a master goldsmith, making a piece of jewelry was an obvious choice for Mia, but she also wanted that gift to involve her daughter. She asked her three-year-old to sit down and draw a nice picture that Mommy could make into earrings for the teacher. Moments later the little girl proudly held up her paper exclaiming, “There! Pretty earrings for Ms. Sharon.” Mia took the pencil scribbles and transformed them into sterling silver earrings, which Ms. Sharon is still wearing, 14 years later.

THe first drawing Mia made into silver earrings to daughters pre school teacher Formia Design first cut out titanium key chain
Reaction from parents of the other preschoolers was so positive that Mia decided to make a prototype titanium key chain from another drawing and submit it to Cool Mom Picks, a website featuring special, fun products for parents. The key chain was featured in their Father’s Day issue, and the rest is history!

We have since been featured on the Today Show, the DIY Network, and in various magazines and online publications. Our products have expanded from pendants and keychains into a wide variety of jewelry types and metal keepsakes. But we still take pains to make each piece totally perfect; our handmade process is a time-consuming labor of love. It is truly our privilege to make special gifts from your children’s artwork.

That’s Nisse, our studio’s mascot! When he is not asleep he will try and get everyone’s attention to play. He hides his toy for us to go find and OH YES and he won’t stop barking until you find it!!!

This is Nisse, our studio's mascot! When he is not asleep he will try and get everyone's attention to play. He hides his toy for us to go find and OH YES and he won't stop barking until you find it!!!