Established in 1984 in the heart of Scottsdale, Cornelis Hollander Designs has become a symbol of timeless artistry and innovation in handcrafted jewelry. Founded by Cornelis Hollander, a visionary designer from the Netherlands, the brand is celebrated both nationally and internationally for its bold architecture, meticulous detail, and emotional storytelling through design.
Cornelis began his journey at the prestigious Vrije Academie in Den Haag, where he first discovered his passion for design. His career took him across the world, from London’s historic Hatton Gardens, where he mastered classic goldsmithing techniques, to Johannesburg, where he absorbed new cultural influences and creative inspiration. When he later settled in Scottsdale, Arizona, he brought with him a deep respect for craftsmanship and an unwavering belief that jewelry should evoke feeling. “I don’t design for trends,” Cornelis once said. “I design for emotion. Jewelry should make you feel something: confidence, power, love.”
That same warmth and emotion extend into Cornelis’s personal reflections on the holidays, which for him, are a time of family, memory, and light. “My mom is Swiss and my dad is Dutch, so we did unusual things, like putting candles on a very dry Christmas tree and lighting them,” he recalled. “My favorite memory is a Dutch club Christmas party where my sisters and I lip-synced a hip-hop version of Santa Baby featuring Snoop Dogg. The music got cut pretty fast, but my family thought it was hilarious that we disrupted the party.”
The Hollander family’s Christmas traditions are rooted in their European heritage. “Christmas Day is Raclette at the table, Swiss style,” Cornelis said. “Everyone melts Raclette cheese to pour over potatoes and grills meat and veggies on a two-layer flat-top. It’s like fondue’s cousin, just with a grill instead of a pot.”
For Cornelis, the season is also a moment of reflection and remembrance. “My dad passed on December 26, 2017, so every Christmas brings me back to those last memories with him. It’s emotional, but grounding and therapeutic.”
He laughs when talking about his signature approach to gifting: “I love gag gifts! I never did the normal gift wrapping. I’d float presents with fishing line, make custom paper, or build odd cardboard shapes to hide what was inside.”
And when it comes to jewelry this holiday season, Cornelis notes a powerful shift: “Men’s jewelry is having a moment. We’re seeing more women buying substantial diamond rings for their husbands and a real appetite for unique, custom men’s pieces.”
Looking ahead to 2026, Cornelis is eager for what’s next: “A much-needed remodel of our jewelry store, new exterior, new showcases, flooring, lighting, everything.”
Whether it’s through artistry or memory, Cornelis Hollander continues to design with heart, proving that true brilliance is born from legacy, creativity, and love.