Gilt without the Guilt

Dazzling holiday “ornaments” light up St. Armands Circle.

By Carol Tisch

St. Armands jewelers are sending a message: Personalized jewelry is the gift that keeps on giving. Dangling charms are all the rage, and the best news is that you can keep adding little mementos of life’s milestones and triumphs over time. That means you don’t have to invest in an expensive piece all at once. And once you start the necklace or bracelet, you become deeply involved in the creative process—which makes every little charm and bead all the more meaningful.

Gail Ross of Tilden Ross became so smitten with Heather Moore’s personalized bijoux that she just added the designer’s complete collection—and created a necklace of her own from the myriad charms and custom inscription options available. “I have a Scrabble board charm because I love Scrabble. One of my charms is a paw print to represent my dog, and I have a heart that says ‘Je T’aime Richard’ [that’s her husband and Tilden Ross co-owner],” she explains. I love the one that has her sister’s name and the inscription “Best Friend.” My sister is my best friend, too—I want one of those charms.

Gail says the great thing is that this jewelry can be tailored to a range of budgets, depending on whether you choose silver, silver and gold combinations or 18K gold in a rainbow of tones from yellow to white, to green or rose. Each date, name, or monogram is hand pressed with vintage, turn-of-the-century tools. And Heather Moore Jewelry also makes their own stamps so they can re-create a family crest, or design monograms, symbols or drawings for you through Tilden Ross.

The jewelry is made only with recycled metals, and has caught the eye of important celebs from Demi Moore (a charm with the date of her anniversary with Ashton) to Beyonce (a best friend charm from her cousin). An anonymous “donor” gave Sasha and Melia “Yes We Can” charms, plus another that’s inscribed “44” for their father’s presidency. It’s a really great concept—you have to see this stuff up close to appreciate the workmanship.

At People’s Pottery, we found what must be the largest selection of Pandora Jewelry in the state of Florida. Launched in the U.S. in 2003, Pandora is a Danish company that has achieved unprecedented success with personalized jewelry. At the Circle store, Pandora fans pour over hundreds of charms and beads in sterling, gold, gemstones, pearls and even Murano glass beads to create their own custom pieces. And for the design-challenged there are lots of look book ideas each season for fashion inspiration. Examples could be a beach-inspired necklace with ocean colors and charms with shells, a wedding bracelet with silver and pearls, or a piece that celebrates the birth of your children—the possibilities are endless.

Pandora bracelets from People's Pottery.

At the very end of Fillmore Street, Uniquity of St. Armands specializes in charms that are all 14K and gold jewelry priced by gross weight. This shop is a favorite of tourists for its bracelets, necklaces and ankle bracelets that can be adorned with dozens of beachy charms from sand dollars to starfish and turtles. Don’t miss the case of stunning contemporary Swarovski crystal necklaces by young designers who’ve emigrated to the U.S. from the Czech Republic (all hand done and priced from $25 to $50).

Uniquity Charms

Another good bet for affordable contemporary jewelry is Baltic Amber Gallery, all in silver (.925 sterling) and you guessed it—Baltic Sea amber in colors from champagne to dark cognac. The pieces here are by designers in Poland, Russia and the Baltic countries of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. The rings are a steal (from $18 to under $50) and a great-looking cuff bracelet goes for $297. Happy hunting.