About Salt Grass Jewelry

Salt Grass Jewelry is a reminder of our devotion to nature. Our purpose is to create timeless jewelry that feels both modern and of the earth. Founded in 2016 by metal artist Kristi Frank Montaño, Salt Grass Jewelry is a celebration of sculptural abstraction, storytelling, sacred objects, and craftsmanship. Before launching her brand, Kristi honed her skills and worked her booty off producing jewelry for notable designers in New York City and Maine. Born and raised in Northern New Mexico, her work is often distinguished by symbolic shapes and textures inspired by the high desert. She is known for her intuitive connection with gems and minerals and for creating epically cool bridal pieces. The name Salt Grass comes from Distichlis spicata, a species of grass also known as desert saltgrass. Desert saltgrass can be found throughout the Americas, and locally it thrives along the clay riverbanks of the Rio Grande. SLOW-MADE PRACTICES Salt Grass jewelry embraces a slow-made ethos, prioritizing quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail over the dirty production of fast fashion and cookie-cutter designs that flood the industry. We thoughtfully create with a commitment to sustainability utilizing recycled me Kristi’s work has garnered a loyal following and recognition, including a prestigious collaboration with the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum where she is creating an exclusive collection which launched in the Spring of 2025.Read their story