Following the launch, we met up with Shah and Bhatnagar to learn more about the charming co-founders and their vision for Metal Noir.

Background: Metal Noir was founded in the Fall of 2007. Shah is the Chief Executive Officer of Metal Noir and has over seven years of sales experience. He has held a number of interesting jobs that range from selling cell phones to being a massage therapist. In addition to Metal Noir he owns and operates a successful real estate company, First Capital Finance Group. Shah is no newcomer to the jewelry business, as his family operates Park Jewelers. Bhatnagar is Metal Noir’s Chief Marketing Officer and his background is in marketing and business development. He has ten years of corporate and product/project management experience. Sweiss is Metal Noir’s Chief Technology Officer and is responsible for the company’s web design, web marketing and e-commerce. 

Mission: Metal Noir seeks to make you the designer. As stated on the website, "Each piece is distinct and hand made to the specifications you provide, giving you the ability to uniquely express yourself.” Metal Noir jewelry seeks to provide the customer with one of kind pieces. There is no middle man since all of Metal Noir’s items are made in-house and locally in Alameda, California.  

How did the company get its name?
Shah: The name for Metal Noir represents the fact that the company works with all types of metals and gemstones.  The word Metal is used to represent their use of all metals.  Noir is the French word for black and represents the fact that when all gemstones are combined they create the color black. 

Who do you envision wearing Metal Noir jewelry?
Shah: Metal Noir’s jewelry seeks to appeal to all ages and individuals who want to express themselves through jewelry.

What is your motto?
Bhatnagar: Dare to create (Metal Noir) 

What drives you?
Bhatnagar:  I have always been hard working. I have always wanted to achieve success and be happy in doing so. I see a lot of potential with Metal Noir.
Shah: I seek to make sure everyone wears jewelry they are proud to wear, jewelry that represents them and their unique style from Metal Noir.  I want them to wear their own brand, not be branded. 

How can customers purchase Metal Noir jewelry?
Shah: Customers can log on to www.metalnoir.com and can buy limited edition designs or can custom design a piece of jewelry to their own specifications.  

What sets this line apart from others?
Shah: Everything can be custom-made to meet the customer’s taste and budget.  

How is a custom piece of jewelry made?
Shah: The first step is for the jewelry design to be drawn out by the artist. The artist then redesigns the piece for casting. A wax mold is made of the piece. This piece is then shown to the client for approval. The client can decide on the metal and gemstones for the piece. Once approved, the final product is cast, cut, cleaned, polished, and packaged in-house. If the client is local the piece will be hand-delivered to him/her and if they are out of town it will be shipped to them.

Tell us about your silver jewelry on the website.
Shah: Noir’s silver jewelry is trendy and affordable. It is made using Italian silver. Italian silver tarnishes less and allows for the finish to be almost like platinum. All metals come in the brushed and polished finishes. There is a limited number of each design on the site. 

What is your signature packaging for your jewelry?
Shah: Metal Noir’s signature packaging is a black velvet pouch or a black lacquer box. Each piece is engraved with the “NOIR” signature and higher end pieces will have a diamond in place of the “O.”  

Who are your favorite designers?
Bhatnagar:  I am a spontaneous shopper. I love everything from Roberto Cavalli, Christian Dior, D&G, Gucci, Valentino, and Theory.
Shah:  I also like Gucci, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Ferragamo, Cavalli.  Their attention to detail and quality in material is second to none.

What is your greatest recent extravagance?
Bhatnagar: I bought a Valentino brown suede shirt.
Shah: I am a car guy. I bought a Mercedes SL 500 

What do you like to do for fun?
Bhatnagar: Between work and business I enjoy going out, spending time with family, and traveling.
Shah: I enjoy going out and traveling all over. 

We have to ask for all our single girlfriends, are you both available? (They both laugh and nod) 

What are the qualities you most look for in a woman?
Bhatnagar: Initially, physical attraction is important, but not everything; a woman that can carry herself well and be personable. I also look for a woman with substance and personality, and who is career-oriented.
Shah:  I am looking for a woman who is independent, self-sufficient, determined, and strong- willed. I am looking for someone who is passionate about something and who knows what she wants to do in life.

What is your future outlook/dream for Metal Noir?
Bhatnagar: Currently, Metal Noir is focusing on the bay area. We hope to expand to other areas in the west coast and east coast. 

Do you offer customers any promotions/incentives for jewelry purchases?
Shah: Customers who register online at the website will get $20 off the first jewelry purchase 

What is next for Metal Noir? Do you have any events planned for Metal Noir? Any plans for a showroom?
Shah: Yes, we already had a launch event on August 23^rd, 2007 at Vessel and we are planning an event in Las Vegas in October/November 2007 at Body English in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. We plan to open a showroom in SF in the Fall of 2008.