William Travis Kukovich was born into a long line of metal smiths, thus it seemed natural that he too became a part of the trade. As a teenager William Travis enjoyed making small metal sculptures with his brothers. The creation of jewelry was a natural progression of his talent for craftsmanship, but also his eye for design.

He began as a 16-year-old jeweler’s apprentice and moved on to the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology for his four-year degree at the age of 18. After school he apprenticed for two more years at Kennedy’s Jewelers in Texas where he became a certified gemologist as well as a registered jeweler. He was discovered by the then owner of Jewelsmith, Mic Bailey, in Durham in 1991 and was offered a position to create original work. At Jewelsmith William Travis began receiving recognition for the industry’s most prestigious awards.

After 10 years at Jewelsmith Travis set out on his own. William Travis Jewelry launched in the summer of 2004 in University Square, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The studio is a true custom design shop where people can choose from a colorful array of stones and work with William Travis to create a piece that is reflective of the wearers personality and style. The store boasts a fabulous inventory as well, with a collection of designs created in the shop by William Travis and also designs from various artists working in the industry. William Travis has won 5 Spectrum Awards, the industries highest Honor for a designer. Other honors have come from the Platinum Guild International, Jewelers of America, Jewelers Circular Keystone, and North Carolina Jewelers Association Design Awards.

William Travis’ collection is architectural and contemporary reflecting a certain European influence that yields striking designs. He truly believes in the quality of the work he creates. Each piece is well built, unique and wearable for generations to come.

Travis lives in Chapel Hill with his wife Prithy, and his son William or as they call him “Liam”.