Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tori Crisonino & Danielle Payton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Tori Crisonino &, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the toughest parts of scaling a business is maintaining quality as you grow. How have you managed to maintain quality? Any stories or advice?
Quality is one of CUFFED’s core pillars and a major reason we started the brand. As two women allergic to many metals still widely used in jewelry today, we struggled to find high-quality, affordable pieces that wouldn’t irritate our skin. Too often, cool, larger-name jewelry brands with cult followings either use lower-quality materials and charge higher prices just for the name or set unattainable premium rates for most. We knew there had to be a better way.
To maintain our high standards, CUFFED carefully sources materials from trusted vendors and rigorously tests every product before offering it to clients. We don’t just take a manufacturer’s word for it—we put every piece through months of real-life wear testing. Our jewelry is exposed to water, sweat, body products, and daily wear to withstand an active lifestyle. We truly never take our pieces off. If an issue arises, we encourage clients to reach out immediately. Not only do we prioritize customer satisfaction, but we also use feedback to trace and resolve issues at the source, ensuring that our products remain consistently high-quality.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Q: For those who may not be familiar, can you tell us about CUFFED and what sets it apart?
A: CUFFED offers a unique jewelry experience, specializing in both permanent and non-permanent jewelry. We provide a curated selection of 14kt gold-filled and sterling silver chains, paired with precious and semi-precious gemstone charms, to create timeless, personalized accessories. From bracelets and anklets to necklaces, hand chains, and ultra-custom pieces, CUFFED is all about high-quality jewelry that’s stylish, durable, and designed for real life. Our pieces are waterproof, safe for sensitive skin, and made to last—whether you’re at a black-tie event or the gym.
We specialize in private events such as weddings, bachelorettes, birthdays, bar/bat mitzvahs, and even casual get-togethers like a friends’ night in. We also collaborate with venues, brands, and influencers to bring a truly customized jewelry experience to their audience. We’re excited to share that CUFFED is now a verified vendor on both The Knot and Wedding Wire, making it even easier for brides to book us for their big day.
One of the most unique things we offer is the ability to curate a custom charm bar. Guests can choose from a selection of high-quality chains and charms, creating matching, meaningful keepsakes to remember the event. Whether it’s a timeless design or a charm that ties into your event theme, this experience ensures that everyone leaves with a personalized, lasting takeaway. CUFFED is based in Miami and services all of Dade and Broward Counties, but we love to travel, so reach out to us at [email protected] to discuss opportunities outside of South Florida. You can also find us on Instagram and TikTok at @getcuffedjewelry.
Q: Tell us about CUFFED’s founders and how the brand came to be.
A: CUFFED is a partnership between Danielle Payton and Tori Crisonino.
Danielle holds a Master’s degree in Contemporary Art History from Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. After leaving the art world, she spent over a decade in PR, specializing in the beauty and wellness industries. Craving a new challenge, she discovered permanent jewelry and instantly saw the potential to create a brand that combined style, quality, and a unique experience. Her background in storytelling, branding, and creativity has been instrumental in shaping CUFFED’s identity.
Tori earned her BA in Fashion Design from the Miami International University of Art and Design. With nearly a decade of experience in corporate luxury retail, she has developed a deep understanding of design, quality, and the customer experience. Her eye for detail and passion for luxury goods helped bring CUFFED’s vision of high-quality, long-lasting jewelry to life.
Together, we bring a mix of artistic passion, business expertise, and a shared commitment to creating jewelry that’s not only beautiful but also meaningful and personal.
Q: What makes CUFFED stand out from other brands?
A: CUFFED stands out in a few key ways. First, we take product testing to the next level. Unlike brands that rely on manufacturer claims, we test all our jewelry in real-life conditions—exposing it to water, sweat, body products, and daily wear for months before offering it to our clients. We’re not just selling jewelry; we’re selling reliability and longevity.
We also prioritize high-quality sourcing. Many brands use lower-grade materials that tarnish quickly, but CUFFED is committed to using 14kt gold-filled and sterling silver because they’re durable, long-lasting, and safe for sensitive skin. (Trust us—Danielle is allergic to everything!)
Another thing that sets us apart is our attention to both design and lifestyle. Many custom jewelry brands focus only on aesthetics, but CUFFED ensures its pieces can actually keep up with our clients’ active lives. Our jewelry is meant to be lived in—from the shower to the ocean to the gym.
Lastly, CUFFED has a unique vibe. We’re not just another jewelry brand; we’re a lifestyle. We create jewelry that’s bold, expressive, and personal. Our mix of sleek, minimal chains and chunky statement pieces gives clients the freedom to match their individual style. And our charm selection? It’s anything but basic—we offer unexpected, unique designs that make every piece feel custom.
Q: What are you most proud of as business owners?
A: We’re most proud of building a brand that’s true to who we are. We’re two 90s girls who put our personalities into everything we create, and that authenticity has resonated with our clients in a way we never imagined.
From day one, we’ve prioritized quality, integrity, and self-expression. We don’t cut corners, and we stand behind what we make. There have been challenges, but we’ve never compromised our vision. We keep moving forward, growing with purpose, and staying true to what makes CUFFED unique.
Have you ever had to pivot?
CUFFED started as a strictly permanent jewelry brand, offering seamless, clasp-free pieces designed to be worn every day. But as we connected with our clients, we realized there was a demand for more versatility. Not everyone wanted to commit to permanent jewelry, so we introduced clasps as an option. Now, we call these pieces our “non-committals” (insert winky emoji here).
This pivot allowed us to expand deeper into the gifting market and reach clients who wanted the CUFFED aesthetic but with the flexibility to take their jewelry on and off. Today, CUFFED is more than just a permanent jewelry brand—it’s a custom jewelry brand that gives clients the best of both worlds.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
We met through Tori’s sister, Nicole Crisonino. Back in 2012, Danielle and Nicole studied together at Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London and became fast friends. Over the years, Danielle became like a “middle sister” in the Crisonino family.
Our ability to collaborate became obvious while planning Nicole’s wedding in April 2024. We worked together seamlessly, and that experience showed us how well we balanced each other’s strengths. So when Danielle launched CUFFED later that year, Tori immediately reached out with, “I WANT IN!”
From that moment, we hit the ground running. We invested, trained, sourced, tested, and branded our hearts out. By October 2024, CUFFED was officially incorporated, and we haven’t looked back since.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @getcuffedjewelry
- Other: TikTok: getcuffedjewelry
Image Credits
founders image (personal photo of Tori & Danielle): Haiel Arama @gvo.haiel
all other images (additional photos): courtesy of CUFFED