The restaurant is dimly lit. Natural light floods in from the floor length windows, illuminating the oblong room. A petite woman with long raven hair rushes in.

"Have you been waiting long?" She asks, as she settles into her chair and catches her breath. Immediately, I am captivated by a large ring on her right hand. The 10 gauge sterling sliver wirewraps itself continuously around her thin finger. A large, iridescent piece of glass with air bubbles is engulfed by the surrounding metal. The light dances off of its surface, as the woman, unconscious of its beauty, talks jovially.

Leta Zellerbach, 30, is an artist; she is the creator and designer of the "bubble ring" ring on her finger. For the past three years she and her husband, Scott, 38, have been creating unusual designs in their Nevada City studio and selling to galleries throughout California.

"The biggest thing we vowed at our wedding was to create together," says the slender woman as she orders a crab cake salad and water.

Drawing inspiration from the past, the Zellerbachs create modern jewelry with a vintage and almost ancient flare. Their art form is truly unique. Using no heat or solder to create the pieces, they rely solely on their ability to twist and contort the thick, precious metal wire into the desired shapes, using drills, presses, sanders, vices, mills and hammers to mold their metals.

"Scottie is really amazing at executing the most difficult designs," she says. "I might be able to draw something on paper, but he brings it to life."

The youthful couple are not just artists or designers, they are also collectors.

"Both of us are really treasure hunters," Leta says. "We love scavenging through rock piles at flea markets, our garden and road for glass and semi precious stones."

The latest treasure - a vintage diamond. The gypsy- like lady itches with excitement as she describes the couple's first diamond ring, which is as yet unreleased.

"Scottie found this ring for a good deal and took the diamond out," she says. "(Now) It's a one-of-a-kind diamond ring." Set in a smooth, circular gold body and centered by four gold rivets, the diamond captures the glow of the gold. The ring is a perfect example of the signature architectural style of the Zellerbachs. The ring has become such a precious bauble to the pair that they have yet to discuss pricing. However, judging by Leta's reaction and obvious pride, more diamond rings may exist in the near future.

Leta is also proud of another find - turquoise Peking glass rings. Made in China during the 1920s, these rings were placed on the sides of sewing baskets for handles. Now they are under a case at the Julie Baker Fine Art gallery in Nevada City, as earrings and a necklace, valued at $110.

Five years after their vows, the Zellerbachs are still devoted to the creation of art together. Their growing reputation has stimulated hopes to expand outside the borders of California and Nevada City.

The designing couple have created a new line of jewelry, offered only to a select few boutiques. Within the next year, they hope the line will be carried in Chicago, Italy, London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Spain. The line ranges in price from $75-$940 and everything in between.

"There's nothing out there like it in the market. It's very old, modern, architectural," Leta says, as she pours her cup of coffee into a to go cup --She's running off to San Francisco to inspect the first boutique featuring the Zellerbach Collection, Noblu.

For more information about the Zellerbach Collection, visit www.zellerbachcollection.com