I not too long ago related with quite a few retailers, designers, and sellers who attended the Tucson gem exhibits and spent a number of days exploring its many-splendored, many-tendriled nooks and crannies in the hunt for the cool, uncommon, and drop-dead attractive. I’ll be recapping their favourite finds within the subsequent problem of JCK (it is going to be out there at Luxurious and JCK Las Vegas in June).
Amongst these we interviewed is Laura Kitsos, proprietor of the Gem Jewellery Boutique in Oak Park, In poor health. I’ve but to go to her retailer, however primarily based on what I see on Instagram, I can say she is a mixture grasp extraordinaire: There’s an abundance of well-chosen inexpensive items by Gigi Clozeau and designers I’ve by no means heard of (the mark of her sharp eye) alongside deluxe gemmy designs from Polly Wales and Jill Hoffmeister. I additionally like the best way she diversifies her merchandise, mixing in books and candles and, extra not too long ago, ornamental crystals for the house.
“I went into this 12 months’s Tucson gem present with excessive expectations, as I knew this was going to be the ‘12 months the present got here again,’ says Kitsos. “I used to be in a position to attend virtually each present together with GJX, AGTA, Pueblo, twenty second Avenue, Kino, and all of the GL&W exhibits together with Holidome. I additionally went Melee’s Tucson version and the African Village outside market thrice!
“I used to be frightened that my crystal mates from Brazil and my scarab seller from Egypt wouldn’t be attending because of journey restrictions, so I used to be tremendous excited once I did see the Brazilian guys,” she provides. “Sadly, nobody has heard from the ‘scarab man’ since 2020. Sort of cryptic, possibly he simply retired!”
Kitsos says she had no set funds in thoughts and a few primary wants to meet resembling chains, beads to rework into necklaces, and a cache of crystal specimens, which has develop into rising class in her boutique.
Crystal specimens in novelty shapes is a rising class at Gem Jewellery Boutique.
Scooped up on the present: Brazilian quartz and agate in an array of shapes like mushrooms and hearts…and, ahem, phalluses. “Spheres are at all times common as are labradorite slabs and black tourmaline chunks,” she says. “Since I drove this 12 months, I got here dwelling with greater than traditional, so I used to be much less restricted in what I might purchase.”
Kitsos visited a seller on the twenty second Avenue present who had carved figas and different classic treasures.
Completed jewellery was additionally on her listing of priorities. And for that she attended the Tucson version of Melee the Present. “It was held in a beautiful Tucson resort referred to as the Stillwell Home and lots of the designers had been new and recent; lots of strains I’d by no means seen in New York,” she says.
“Pamela Zamore and her new Pharos line of fortunate charms solid in 18k gold really feel recent, wearable, and but not like many fortunate attraction items which are throughout Instagram as we speak.”
Charms in 18k gold, from left (chains offered individually): Continuity, $1,400; Luck, $1,300; Stability, $1,450; Rebirth, $1,300; Love, $1,300; Safety, $1,300; Abundance, $1,300; Pamela Zamore
At Melee, Kitsos was additionally in a position to see Petaluma, Calif.–primarily based The Sacred Order. “Designer Wendy Wagner’s jewellery is stunningly stunning, that includes spider motifs and different Victorian symbols, promising the wearer a endlessly funding locket or ring with hand-engraved particulars set with rose-cut diamonds and garnets,” says Kitsos. “I completely beloved her line.”
From left: Widow’s Locket in 14k gold with salt-and-pepper diamonds, $1,900; Child Widow signet ring in 14k gold with garnet and black diamond, $1,580; and Manu Door Knocker hoop earrings in 14k gold and oxidized sterling silver, $830; The Sacred Order
Her favourite discovery—the “the star of the present”—was a jewellery designer she’d by no means heard of earlier than: Sophie Theakston out of London. “In the mean time we met, I felt like we had been mates endlessly,” says Kitsos. “Her jewellery is totally royal, together with her personal 18k gold alloy that just about resembles a inexperienced gold in colour and all my favourite motifs resembling hamsas, mudra fingers, and protecting eyes. She makes use of pure quartz crystals captured in 18k gold that dangle from a series, making the necklace appear each bohemian and splendid on the identical second, and polki diamond necklaces and earrings which are elegant and but good for on a regular basis. I truthfully haven’t been this excited a few line shortly. Her work makes you are feeling goddess-like—that’s the very best abstract of her work.”
Clockwise, from left: Quartz crystal necklace in 18k gold with diamonds, $3,521; Giant Gyan mudra necklace in 18k gold with diamond, $3,455; Divine eye necklace in 18k gold with diamonds, $3,252; Polki diamond drop earrings in 18k gold, $2,667; Flaming Coronary heart necklace in 18k gold, $6,648; Sophie Theakston
Choosing up a private jewel or memento is a component and parcel of most jewellery professionals’ travels to the Tucson exhibits—you already know it while you see it. “This 12 months I actually stopped lifeless in my tracks once I stumbled upon a seller of vintage deity jewellery from India,” says Kitsos. “I noticed this pendant within the case and instructed myself it doesn’t matter what I used to be shopping for it.”
Pictured under, it’s a Nineteenth-century pendant of Shrinathji within the type of Vishnu product of 23k gold utilizing the thewa course of, which fuses 23k gold with glass.
Kitsos’ memento pendant stands out from among the many spoils of her epic Tucson gem present purchasing journey.
“Upon extra analysis, I discovered that this deity is named ‘the Preserver,’ and Vishnu is the supreme being who creates, protects, and transforms the universe,” provides Kitsos. “I simply thought it was stunning, and it’s now my protecting amulet.”
High: Snapshots from Laura Kitsos’ adventures on the 2022 Tucson gem exhibits, the place she left no stone unturned in the hunt for distinctive finds for her Oak Park, In poor health. retailer, Gem Jewellery Boutique (all photographs besides designer pack pictures courtesy of Laura Kitsos).
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