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NEW YORK
Turkish Delight in Nolita
Some of today’s hottest jewelry designers are from Turkey. You may recognize such names as Sevan, Burtacin Balkan and Salih Buyukyurt, who combine centuries old techniques and Byzantine-inspired craftsmanship to create jaw-dropping 24k gold jewels fit for royalty. You can find the delights of Istanbul in New York’s NoLita section in a special jewelry and art emporium, Jaalbér, at 248 Mott St. This intimate boutique allows us fashion conscious, well-traveled women to create our own style by mixing and matching different designer pieces to build a versatile jewelry wardrobe that uniquely expresses who we are both inside and out. Jaalbér has become a favorite of such celebrities as Brooke Shields, Sheryl Crow and Tory Burch. Owner Rita Kriss who frequently visits Istanbul to hand select new jewels, as well as arts and antiques to showcase in her store. A regular is one-of-a-kind ring designer, who creates mini-masterpieces of hand-carved and painted mosques and historical Turkish scenes captured inside of large gemstone centers inside his rings. Burtacin Balkan has been one of Jaalbér’s special finds and also a mainstay in the boutique, with his 24k gold Byzantium designs based on ancient motifs from the Treasures of Troy. And, Salih Buyukyurt specializes in the ancient art of handcrafted, 24k gold and gemstone designs that focus on the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman civilizations, greatly influenced by archeology, antiquities and ancient history. Jaalbér also works with SOFA, one of Istanbul’s finest art and antiques boutiques. SOFA is known for discovering and selling fascinating old maps and prints, home décor objects of art, and original Kűtahya plates, pottery, and textiles. New to the group is Turkish artist Lisa Kravacka who complements ancient Turkish manuscripts in her hand carved mahogany and black walnut frames. So, if you’re looking for your version of Turkish splendor, Jaalbér also can restyle your old jewelry and turn them into personal treasures—whether it’s an inherited heirloom, single earring that lost its mate, or a piece that needs a facelift. And, Jaalbér prides itself on being green, recycling all of its gold. Next time you’re in NoLita, sample a taste of Turkish design that will leave you craving more…but at the very least settle for a virtual experience at http://jaalber.com.
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Not Your Granny’s Family Jeweler
If you’re one of those jaded shoppers who equates the term “family jewelry store” with your grandma’s ideal shopping experience, think again. The family-run I. Gorman at 1133 20th St. NW in Washington, D.C. injects some serious cool in stale stereotypes with its recently relocated and redesigned store. Moving to a bigger space in 2007, after 26 years at its original location, the jeweler traded in its classic old world charm for sleek, contemporary European design. With an open floor plan and plenty of natural light, the space exudes a modern vibe in its clean and minimal design, yet still is warm and inviting. The jeweler draws you in with its backlit Lucite and veneer exterior and illuminated T-shaped signage that is immediately recognizable. Once inside, your eyes dart from a radiant translucent wall of onyx, custom built bar made of semi-transparent Lucite resembling a block of ice, festive bubble-like hanging lights, and a tactile wall where necklaces are displayed for customers to touch and play. Designed to complement the designers it carries, the store features artisans whose work is not only creative and imaginative, but in some cases extremely exclusive. “We love working with artists who use unconventional metals, unique gemstones, and designs that are completely original,” describes Adam Gorman, owner and third generation jeweler. A prime example is Silvian Blauhut of Konstaanz, Germany, whose work is carried only by I. Gorman, other than its own gallery. Other designers found here include Todd Reed, Michael Zobel, and Alishan. I. Gorman is known for not only serving fashionable women, but also stylish men, boasting an extensive gent’s jewelry collection. This unique jeweler enjoys a diverse staff including four graduate gemologists, former wholesale jeweler, human rights activist, three former teachers, computer programmer, and writer. “We hire for culture and provide the individuals with all the training and education necessary to thrive in our business,” explains Gorman. This non-conforming jewelry store is a must see for anyone who happens to be in D.C. for business or pleasure (or check it out online at http://igorman.com).
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LOS ANGELES
Destination: Neil Lane
Celebrated jewelry designer Neil Lane opened his flagship store in Los Angeles Nov. 4. Located on Melrose Place, one of L.A.’s most chic and glamorous fashion destinations, the new location at 708 North La Cienega Blvd offers a glimpse into a luxurious world where exquisite Neil Lane jewelry fashions are born. "The new store is a dream come true that has been a long time coming," describes Lane. Since he moved to L.A. 20 years ago, Lane had been operating out of a small booth with only four showcases in the jewelry design mart on the first floor of the Antiquarius Antique and Jewelry Mall on Beverly Boulevard. Now legendary, this space also served as Lane’s office with his vault in plain view. On any given day, one might find movie stars, supermodels, and fashion writers elbow-to-elbow, literally. But his new salon offers lots more space to rub elbows. Still accessible as the “infamous man behind the counter,” Neil Lane can enjoy a luxurious showroom to kick back with guests, complete with white oak display cases, Portuguese limestone, and plush offset panels in ultra-suede—glamorous and polished yet cozy and comfortable. "It’s the next phase of building the brand by extending the reach of Hollywood glamour," describes Lane. "Melrose Place has become the upscale fashion destination." Despite his media pet names—“Star Jeweler,” “King of Bling,” and “Ace of Diamonds”—this Brooklyn boy made good has an easy, down-to-earth way about him, treating everyone, whether you’ve made a box office hit movie or not, with the same enthusiasm and grace. His claim to fame is grounded in his innate eye for design and style, one he cultivated as a young man in Paris studying art and perusing the flea markets for vintage jewels. In fact, his personal collection of archival jewels is one of the most comprehensive in America. His assemblage of Tiffany jewelry is second only to Tiffany’s own archives. Equally impressive are his Hollywood Icon jewels from stars like May West, Greta Garbo, and Marilyn Monroe. It is his background as a jewelry historian that has given him great insights as a jewelry designer, and vice verse, he says: “I couldn’t be one without the other.” If you’re lucky, you may run into the likes of Angelina Jolie, Demi Moore, or Jennifer Lopez at Lane’s salon, but you’re certain to see Hollywood’s true luminaries in the brilliant fine jewelry of this transcendent designer ( http://neillanejewelry.com).
DURHAM, NC
The World Atop Hamilton Hill
The owners of Hamilton Hill International Designer Jewelry have a passion for little-known German, Spanish and Brazilian jewelry designers. Their determination to show shoppers in Durham, North Carolina and beyond what excites them about foreign designers has evolved these past seven years into a thriving business with loyal fans that share their contemporary aesthetic values. Hamilton Hill represents an eclectic range of international designers including Niessing and Carl Dau from Germany, Majoral from Spain, Amrapali from Jaipur in India, Brazil’s Antonio Bernardo, and “internationally minded” Americans like Toby Pomeroy. The pieces come in a range of materials from stainless steel to platinum, and price points from less than $100 to tens of thousands of dollars, but all share a similar modern sensibility. According to Sarah Hill, a partner in the business, designer selection is guided by a philosophy that respects simplicity of form, composition, and distinctiveness. “We choose designers who value elegance, whether it is a minimalist platinum diamond ring or an ornate bracelet inspired by ancient Greece.” In addition to jewelry, the store also carries distinct handbags. Hill explains, “Despite our firm belief that jewelry should be your number one accessory, we acknowledge the need for something chic in which to carry your stuff.” Hamilton Hill also encourages jewelry overhauls when necessary. “Bring us your tired, your inherited, your I-haven't-worn-it-in-20-years jewelry,” says Hill, who notes her staff will advise on quick fixes, makeovers, or whether it’s best sold for scrap—a smart and liberating decision. Ideally located in a burgeoning cultural area in Durham’s historic Brightleaf Square at 905 W. Main St., the store is a renovated tobacco warehouse ringed by cobblestone and brick walkways. Inside, bare redbrick walls and massive pine pillars support a 20-foot-high ceiling, with the occasional old tobacco flake wafting down from the rafters. Adding to the art gallery feel the owners sought to achieve is the use of art posters and photography rather than jewelry product pictures to decorate. Partner Michael Hamilton says the pair designed the interior layout themselves, taking inspiration from stores they’d seen here, in Europe, and the booths of designers visited at tradeshows. Further enhancing the eclectic nature of the shop is its staff, boasting a diverse group of fashionable intellects including a former electrical engineer, director of nutrition at a Boston academic medical center, and landscape architect. Hill, who holds a GIA graduate gemologist degree, had worked at the Smithsonian Institution before venturing into jewelry. Hamilton, a physician, formerly headed an obesity program at Duke Medical Center. Although it’s difficult to replace the feeling of actually being there, Hamilton and Hill invite the curious to visit them online (http://hamiltonhilljewelry.com).
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