We’re Matt and Shauna Breatore, the husband-and-wife team behind Pebble & Polish. Welcome to our shop! Our collection is filled with unique, storied pieces, and we strive to create an experience that feels as intimate and personal as the jewelry itself. That’s why Pebble & Polish is entirely owner-operated and intentionally small in scale. We do it all—or just about. (We happily rely on the talents of skilled jewelers and smiths when needed.)
Neither of us comes from a family in the trade, so we carved our own path, drawing on our training, research, and relentless curiosity. Passion prevails! This business is not just our livelihood—it’s an extension of our relationship, an adventure we share as a couple. At the end of the day, we’re just two (fairly) normal people doing what we love, and we deeply appreciate your support.
Pebble & Polish specializes in antique and vintage diamond rings from c. 1850–1950. Beyond the antique, we embrace the unique, championing the charming as much as the traditionally beautiful. Evolving patinas, pillowy old cuts, Cape-colored diamonds—these quirks run contrary to mass-market trends, yet they’re often what we find most captivating about old jewelry. Even our original designs honor this philosophy, featuring vintage and estate stones set into recycled metals. We’ve learned to trust our own eyes and hearts when selecting pieces, and we encourage our customers to do the same. Be your own lamp. Do you.
We also advocate for secondary markets as a way to counter the environmental damage caused by mining. The reality is, even contemporary mining is devastating to the planet and its inhabitants. With so many extraordinary pieces and stones already in the world, it seems wasteful—if not reckless—to keep digging for more. Instead, we find fulfillment in rediscovering what’s already out there, waiting for a new time to shine.
If you’re getting engaged, call us! We know that cultural and financial pressures can make ring shopping stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. We hope to bridge the gap between the simple desire to find a meaningful ring and the esoteric world of antique jewelry. Even if you end up buying elsewhere, let us help by offering historical and technical insight. Between the two of us, we’ve gathered a wealth of knowledge, and we’d be delighted to share.
Running Pebble & Polish is Matt’s full-time job, and he wears many hats—historical research, acquisitions, restoration management, photography, and jewelry design all fall under his purview. He thrives on the creative and intellectual challenge of balancing it all.
Before launching Pebble & Polish, he spent years immersed in art and academia, earning a dual degree in music and art history from the University of La Verne, an MA and MPhil in art history from NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts (where he completed his PhD coursework and orals before shifting focus to Pebble & Polish), and a graduate certificate in curatorial studies from NYU and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He also holds Graduate Diamonds and Pearls diplomas from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).
At his core, Matt is a researcher, curator, and observor—someone who finds joy in uncovering the histories behind exquisite objects and sharing them with others. For him, antique jewelry isn’t just a profession; it’s a passion, deeply rooted in a lifelong love of art, research, craftsmanship, and—perhaps above all—stories.
Shauna is the wizard behind the curtain, keeping Pebble & Polish running smoothly from behind the scenes. She manages the back end of the shop, handles bookkeeping and inventory, and—if you love our Instagram—she’s the one to thank for the quips and clips that keep it fresh. She’s also our resident hand model!
But jewelry is only part of her world. Shauna’s true career is in art conservation, where she serves as Senior Conservator of Modern Paintings at a major conservation studio in NYC. Over the years, she has treated works by Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Ellsworth Kelly, Jasper Johns, Joan Mitchell, Pablo Picasso, Mark Rothko, Jean-Michel Basquiat—the list goes on. In other words, she’s a conservation badass. Her commitment to the preservation of art and objects is a deeply-ingrained philosophy, one that aligns seamlessly with Pebble & Polish’s mission.
Shauna holds a BA in art history from NYU and a four-year MA in art history and conservation from the Institute of Fine Arts, NYU. Whether she’s stabilizing a Rothko or making sure our inventory is in check, Shauna brings the same precision, patience, and sharp eye to everything she touches.
