Meet The Founder
AL Sandimirova
they/them
AL Sandimirova is an indigenous, queer, trans, non-binary, refugee, and activist who is the founder, CEO, and jewelry designer behind Automic Gold. AL uses they/them pronouns and has been working in the fine jewelry industry since 2009. They have an obsession with small details, good quality sustainable materials, and a passion for figuring out how to build better systems for the future after capitalism.
Early life and the beginning of Automic Gold
AL is originally from Tatarstan, an independent republic of Russia. They came to the U.S. in 2009 as an LGBT refugee. They began their own business buying and repairing used gold and diamond jewelry and reselling them on eBay in 2011. In 2013 AL became certified in diamond grading through the GIA. They then graduated from the Jewelry Arts Institute for jewelry making in 2015. In 2016 they completed the jewelry-making course and the stone-setting course from Studio Jewelers LTD.
After 8 years of working in the industry, AL was unable to find jewelry that fit their style. Everything in 2015 was hyper-feminine or hyper-masculine and they wanted something more genderfluid so they started making their own jewelry. One of the first pieces they made was the threader, inspired by their desire to make something stylish and elevated, with good quality, sustainable materials, and without a high price tag. After having their friends ask to buy their self-designed pieces, AL decided it was time to expand their small business. The threader and other pieces were the first to be featured on the Automic Gold website which launched in 2017.
Finding Inspiration in Identity
The Tanlah Collection inspired by the Chuvash.
AL is indigenous of Chuvash descent. Chuvash is one of almost 200 different indigenous cultures colonized by East Europeans in what is now Russia. Growing up they were taught to be ashamed of their culture stating “It was considered degrading to be Chuvash. Being Chuvash meant you were naive, stupid, and primitive. But historically, the Chuvash people were kind, trusting, and trustworthy. Even the name ‘Chuvash’ means ‘friendly’ or ‘peaceful’. As I grew up, I realized that these are all the qualities that make me special and I hope the world can see that being kind and caring is not a weakness, but it is the future I hope we all can have. I hope I express this in not just the way I position myself, but also in the way I do business, the way I treat my employees, and the way I treat the environment, I think we can all benefit from kindness and community rather than from greed.
Even though I grew up being ashamed, I am now proud to be Chuvash. I embrace it and I try to celebrate it any chance I get.”
One of the ways AL celebrates their culture is through creating hand-crafted jewelry. Metalsmithing and metal value is something that has been understood in Chuvash culture for many, many, generations. The Chuvash people were known for their gold and metal crafts, most famously for their elaborate coin-covered garments that were passed down in the family through the matriarchal line. These traditional outfits were used as wedding costumes, to signify ones status, as decoration in the home, and as other ceremonial and celebration attire. The coins were usually made from silver and only the very wealthy families used gold.
Over time, Chuvashia had been through colonization, war, famine, and depression, and many of these traditional pieces, as well as other metalworks, had to be sold off. Existing pieces are extremely rare and are highly coveted. “I remember distinctly when I was a child when the ‘97 crisis hit, my family was discussing if they should sell the costume. In the end, they decided that no, it doesn’t matter how much we don’t have - we were not gonna sell it, which is very rare. And now, I can't get mine, I can't ship it. I can't get it through the border because it’s like a museum piece with how rare it is.”
The Chuvash culture is also famous for their intricate filigree carvings on their houses, and incredibly detailed hand-stitched embroidery. AL designed their own symbol inspired by their metalsmithing heritage and these meaningful patterns they grew up seeing. “I wanted to bring those elements into my jewelry design. I created the Tanlah collection to honor my culture but to also create a design anyone can wear. The symbol represents good and bad, that everything should be balanced in the world. This is a symbol I like to wear myself daily to remind me that if anything bad happens there is always good around the corner and I hope it may inspire you too.”
AL is a transgender nonbinary dyke whose lgbtqia+ identity is one that was once revered by the Chuvash people,
Something they found out later in life while researching their indigenous roots. “My culture originally accepted trans people. Gender non-conforming people were believed to be shamans—the courage to live outside of cishet norms was considered proof that God had blessed them with powers.” This research has created a deeper connection to their culture and furthered their desire to use their platform for activism and acceptance.
Some of that acceptance also came in the form of self-acceptance. In 2019 AL was diagnosed as Autistic, something they embraced as it helped make them a creative and focused person. “I think I need to thank autism for being a big part of my success. I’m obsessed with jewelry and design in the best way, and it brings me joy to work on every small detail. I cannot imagine seeing the world in any other way.” They recently created the Infinity collection as a tribute to the Autistic community.
Autism has not only Influenced the infinity collection but all of the jewelry AL has designed. Having always had sensory issues, a part of Al’s creative process is making jewelry that won’t get uncomfortable for them. They make sure each product is thoroughly comfort-tested in order to provide the same sensory-safe experience to others.
For more information about our company’s standards please visit our about us section.
Meet The Founder
AL Sandimirova
they/them
AL Sandimirova is an indigenous, queer, trans, non-binary, refugee, and activist who is the founder, CEO, and jewelry designer behind Automic Gold. AL uses they/them pronouns and has been working in the fine jewelry industry since 2009. They have an obsession with small details, good quality sustainable materials, and a passion for figuring out how to build better systems for the future after capitalism.
Early life and the beginning of Automic Gold
AL is originally from Tatarstan, an independent republic of Russia. They came to the U.S. in 2009 as an LGBT refugee. They began their own business buying and repairing used gold and diamond jewelry and reselling them on eBay in 2011. In 2013 AL became certified in diamond grading through the GIA. They then graduated from the Jewelry Arts Institute for jewelry making in 2015. In 2016 they completed the jewelry-making course and the stone-setting course from Studio Jewelers LTD.
After 8 years of working in the industry, AL was unable to find jewelry that fit their style. Everything in 2015 was hyper-feminine or hyper-masculine and they wanted something more genderfluid so they started making their own jewelry. One of the first pieces they made was the threader, inspired by their desire to make something stylish and elevated, with good quality, sustainable materials, and without a high price tag. After having their friends ask to buy their self-designed pieces, AL decided it was time to expand their small business. The threader and other pieces were the first to be featured on the Automic Gold website which launched in 2017.
Finding Inspiration in Identity
The Tanlah Collection inspired by the Chuvash.
AL is indigenous of Chuvash descent. Chuvash is one of almost 200 different indigenous cultures colonized by East Europeans in what is now Russia. Growing up they were taught to be ashamed of their culture stating “It was considered degrading to be Chuvash. Being Chuvash meant you were naive, stupid, and primitive. But historically, the Chuvash people were kind, trusting, and trustworthy. Even the name ‘Chuvash’ means ‘friendly’ or ‘peaceful’. As I grew up, I realized that these are all the qualities that make me special and I hope the world can see that being kind and caring is not a weakness, but it is the future I hope we all can have. I hope I express this in not just the way I position myself, but also in the way I do business, the way I treat my employees, and the way I treat the environment, I think we can all benefit from kindness and community rather than from greed.
One of the ways AL celebrates their culture is through creating hand-crafted jewelry. Metalsmithing and metal value is something that has been understood in Chuvash culture for many, many, generations. The Chuvash people were known for their gold and metal crafts, most famously for their elaborate coin-covered garments that were passed down in the family through the matriarchal line. These traditional outfits were used as wedding costumes, to signify ones status, as decoration in the home, and as other ceremonial and celebration attire. The coins were usually made from silver and only the very wealthy families used gold.
Over time, Chuvashia had been through colonization, war, famine, and depression, and many of these traditional pieces, as well as other metalworks, had to be sold off. Existing pieces are extremely rare and are highly coveted. “I remember distinctly when I was a child when the ‘97 crisis hit, my family was discussing if they should sell the costume. In the end, they decided that no, it doesn’t matter how much we don’t have - we were not gonna sell it, which is very rare. And now, I can't get mine, I can't ship it. I can't get it through the border because it’s like a museum piece with how rare it is.”
The Chuvash culture is also famous for their intricate filigree carvings on their houses, and incredibly detailed hand-stitched embroidery. AL designed their own symbol inspired by their metalsmithing heritage and these meaningful patterns they grew up seeing. “I wanted to bring those elements into my jewelry design. I created the Tanlah collection to honor my culture but to also create a design anyone can wear. The symbol represents good and bad, that everything should be balanced in the world. This is a symbol I like to wear myself daily to remind me that if anything bad happens there is always good around the corner and I hope it may inspire you too.”
AL is a transgender nonbinary dyke whose lgbtqia+ identity is one that was once revered by the Chuvash people,
Something they found out later in life while researching their indigenous roots. “My culture originally accepted trans people. Gender non-conforming people were believed to be shamans—the courage to live outside of cishet norms was considered proof that God had blessed them with powers.” This research has created a deeper connection to their culture and furthered their desire to use their platform for activism and acceptance.
Some of that acceptance also came in the form of self-acceptance. In 2019 AL was diagnosed as Autistic, something they embraced as it helped make them a creative and focused person. “I think I need to thank autism for being a big part of my success. I’m obsessed with jewelry and design in the best way, and it brings me joy to work on every small detail. I cannot imagine seeing the world in any other way.” They recently created the Infinity collection as a tribute to the Autistic community.
Autism has not only Influenced the infinity collection but all of the jewelry AL has designed. Having always had sensory issues, a part of Al’s creative process is making jewelry that won’t get uncomfortable for them. They make sure each product is thoroughly comfort-tested in order to provide the same sensory-safe experience to others.
For more information about our company’s standards please visit our about us section.
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