Two Not To Be Missed Jewelry Shops That Opened This Summer

Two shops opened this summer —one on the East Coast and one on the West Coast that every jewelry enthusiast should know about. One is a second multi-line store for the owner, and the other is a single-brand shop.

The Seven Sag Harbor, front of the shop.

The warmth and charm of the shopping area of the town of Sag Harbor, with its small stores that carry an assortment of everything from ‘clean’ beauty products to easy yet elegant home décor and essentials, provides a new home for Camille Zarsky and a second shop, The Seven Sag Harbor. (Please read about her NYC shop here). The outside of the shop reminds me of a Victorian house that you would find on a film set, festive yet cozy with brick stairs and trees and flowers all around. Once inside, the rose/pink interior draws you with its well-appointed vintage furnishings and plush decorative touches. It’s the type of place you want to sit down, have a tea party, chat and try on as many of the exceptionally beautiful jewels as time and Zarsky will allow. Zarksy and Blake Brunson, who designed the NYC shop, created an atmosphere in which you never want to leave, and when you do, you will definitely be leaving with a piece or two just meant for you. You will also have a wish list that goes on.

The inside of the shop with Camille Zarsky displaying rings.

Another view of the inside of the shop, designed by Blake Brunson.

The Sag Harbor store carries quite a number of the same jewelers as the West Village shop but also with some newcomers, many who have custom-designed pieces just for the shop. There is Marie Lichtenberg: “out here, we sell at least a piece of hers a day,” says Zarsky. She also carries State Property, Ileana Makri, Lauren Rubinski and newcomer Gwen Barba, a bench jeweler who also personally enamels all her pieces with vitreous glass enamel (hard enamel), and the precision and details will blow you away. There are a selection of Manhattan’s best-selling designers, including Emily P. Wheeler, Jenna Blake and Mason & Books and a host of other designers you won’t want to miss.

Marie Lichtenberg Designs at The Seven Sag Harbor.

Gwen Barba’s enamel rings here and underneath her hoops. These motifs and others in hoops and pendants (with the exception of the lemon signet) are exclusive to The Seven Sag Harbor and West Village stores.

When asked what the difference is between the Manhattan and Sag Harbor stores regarding sales, Zarsky reports, “I can sell the very high-end pieces out here without clients thinking about it too much and those custom pieces that are serious purchases. They come in, try on a piece, fall head over heels and buy it.” She continues, “At the West Village store, those sales do come but take longer. Clients take more time thinking about those luxury ticket pieces yet will self-purchase a more accessible price point designer more quickly at the NYC shop.”

Two necklaces from French designer Lauren Rubinksi at The Seven Sag Harbor.

A mix of pieces from designer’s collections and their custom designs specifically for The Seven Sag Harbor.

Fine jewelry designer Lizzie Mandler, who has been immersed in the world of fine jewelry since she was 16 years old, opened her first retail location in Los Angeles—a 1600-square-foot space that now also serves as brand headquarters.

Wide view of Lizzie Mandler’s shop and headquarters.

Says Mandler, “I wanted to create a physical space that gave my collection a narrative and context; it felt like the missing link to creating the full experience of the brand. Whatever their journey brought them to me, I wanted a way for them to fully step into our world- and create a venue that lets the best of the bespoke process unfold.”

Lizzie Mandler working in her shop.

Mandler studied traditional metalsmithing for six years in Los Angeles and Florence, Italy, then launched her namesake collection in 2012. Her aesthetic is utterly modern with an architectural edge—relevant for today, yet timeless and enduring.

A view of the details of the Lizzie Mandler shop.

Mandler collaborated with designer Lauren Feiner for the store and explains, “ A mix of different ateliers inspired the design of the store, such as wall-to-wall carpet which pays homage to traditional couture jewelry shops in Europe. Off-black for the color of the carpet was a nod to diamond dealers to easily spot if a diamond dropped. The wall of mirrors was a nod to Elsa Peretti’s home studios and Halston’s offices.” But there are enough signature details to know that you are walking into this innovative designer’s shop, such as the fluting detail mimicking the texture of Mandler’s repeated knife-edge silhouette and the brass, which picks up the rich 18K gold of the collection and brings warmth.

Lizzie Mandler display case in shop.

Mandler explains, “The store location is really what made me jump into the idea of retail,” Lizzie explains about the Sycamore district. Being given the opportunity to sit alongside such an incredible mix of stores from renowned names. It has become the buzziest area in Hollywood.”

A wider view of a display case in the shop.

A small selection of curated home goods and books that Lizzie has sourced from around the globe will also be for sale in the shop. And Mandler hopes to build a creative community, including hosting exciting events and collaborations.”

Display shelves in Lizzie Mandler shop.