Bling bearer
Eye-popping or understated, jewelry welcome on most wish lists
Decisions, decisions.
When it comes to the holiday season, deciding on that special something for the special someone in your life can lead to sleepless nights.
So what about jewelry? Too expensive, you say. But wait — compared to the latest tech gadgets, a snazzy little ring, an eyepopping pendant or that sparkly set of earrings, might just be the thing to bring a little holiday magic.
New Mexico has a rich tradition of jewelry making; from Native American artists who have become famous for their work in silver, turquoise and other materials, to entrepreneurs who came to Albuquerque and established manufacturing, design and retail businesses here.
Rio Grande Trading has been on Central SW for 24 years. During that time, it has expanded, and now carries a huge selection of Native American art, crafts, pottery and jewelry.
“People often say they’ve been driving by for years, then they come in and they’re blown away,” says Annie Johnson, the retail manager.
Rio Grande Trading sells to more than 800 retail and online stores throughout the U.S. and overseas. For local shoppers, the extensive inventory of earrings, pendants, rings, necklaces and bracelets offers something for any budget, with items priced from $8 to $20,000, Johnson says.
Always popular are the Navajo-made silver earrings available for prices ranging from $20 to $50. Earrings in dragonfly designs are particularly sought after, she says.
For folks who like to keep their shopping local, Johnson says all the Native American-made items are certified “New Mexico True” by the state Tourism Department, a designation that can only be used on products that are 100 percent made, grown and/or born and raised in New Mexico.
Unique finishes
Nearby, in Old Town, is Máti Jewelers, the retail business founded by Stavros Eleftheriou. Máti is known for inlay designs often using opals. Eleftheriou immigrated from Greece and settled in Albuquerque where he established the Kabana jewelry manufacturing business in 1975. Kabana means “bell” in Greek and the factory building in the Wells Park area near downtown Albuquerque, has an old bell tower. The business is still run by the Eleftheriou family.
“We are very fortunate to carry a variety of jewelry for any style request,” says Miguel Jaramillo, manager of Máti’s Uptown store.
He says Máti imports Australian crystal opals. The birthstone for October, opal is translucent, but in a setting, it shows a beautiful display of colors.
“Each one has its own personality,” Jaramillo says.
Kabana designers also use mother of pearl, onyx, turquoise and lapis lazuli in gold or silver settings. Designs often draw their inspiration from different parts of the world. The word “Máti” means eye in Greek and a series of pendants feature the eye motif that is meant to ward off evil.
Jaramillo says there has been increased demand for jewelry with unique finishes. “Different types of brushed and hammered textures are very popular right now,” he says.
Kabana also carries jewelry made by outside designers, Marco Bicego from Italy and Alex Šepkus from New York, who are known for their finishing techniques, says Jaramillo.
Eye for diamonds
Another well-known name in the local jewelry scene is Butterfield. Earnest Bernard Butterfield Sr. founded Butterfield Jewelers in Pana, Ill., in 1928, then moved his family to Albuquerque in 1945 where he opened a store near the University of New Mexico.
In 1975, the store moved to its present location in Butterfield Plaza on San Pedro NE. It is now run by the founder’s grandchildren.
Butterfield’s is known for its diamond and bridal jewelry, says Melissa Gould, Butterfield’s sales and marketing specialist.
She says items on display in the store are set with cubic zirconia — a low-cost stone that looks similar to diamonds — but Butterfield carries a large selection of loose diamonds for customers to choose from, based on taste and budget.
“We like to let people create their own engagement rings,” Gould says, explaining that the price of a diamond depends on its clarity, color, cut and carat or size.
Butterfield carries a line of bridal jewelry by Long Beach, Calif.-based designer Mark Schneider. The store also has in-house designers who will do custom work.
Customers looking for gift items that fit within a holiday budget can find plated silver chokers with freshwater pearl pendants for about $200. The Belle étoile line of jewelry has a range of pendants priced at around $200 and rings between $200 and $400.
“You can get a really affordable set,” Gould says.
Butterfield offers sixmonth lay-away plans with a 20 percent down payment on the selling price. An in-house financing plan is also available, Gould says.
Making a statement
Shelton Jewelers is another local business that has stood the test of time. Founded in 1984 by Eric Shelton, the store specializes in bridal, fashion, estate and custom jewelry. In-house designers Elliott Shelton and Marcus Gillihan can make custom made or modify existing pieces of jewelry.
The store carries a wide variety of other designer’s lines and collections. It has recently added the Mazza line of jewelry from Italy. The line features “statement” pieces such as a pendant, ring or earrings that are so distinctive they can be worn individually rather than in conjunction with a matching set, says sales associate Brice Humes.
When it comes to bridal jewelry, Humes says, the latest trend is “stackable” rings. Instead of just one wedding band to accompany an engagement ring, it has become popular to wear several bands stacked together.
“So it’s a different fashion statement. It’s more bling and a more vintage look,” Humes says.
The Freida Rothman line of plated sterling silver decorated with cubic zirconia offers some sets of stackable rings at under $300.
Dainty is the “in” look in bracelets right now, Humes says. Instead of the wider cuff style bracelets, customers are opting to wear multiple slender bangles in groups of three, seven or nine, he says.
Birth stone stud earrings make a popular gift. Citrine and topaz are the stones for November. December birth stones are tanzanite, turquoise or blue zircon.
Shelton offers layaway plans and financing options.