IndependentsApr 29, 2024
Venus Jewelers Relocating After 45 Years
Lauren Harwell Godfrey has opened her first brick-and-mortar retail location only 12 minutes from her home. (Photo credit: Bess Friday)
Larkspur, Calif.—Designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey of Harwell Godfrey has opened her first retail store.
The 111-square-foot shop is in the Marin Country Mart in Larkspur, California. The country mart is home to restaurants, shops, a post office, yoga and Pilates studios, and it hosts a farmer’s market on the weekend.
It will stock best-sellers from the brand’s collection, as well as new launches and one-of-a-kind pieces.
The store is designed to be a “cozy respite” from the shopping center, the brand said.
The interior features a vintage Murano rainbow glass chandelier, and the built-in jewelry cases are painted a muted purple—a color called “Voodoo” by C2 Paint—and lined with unlacquered brass.
Local decorative artist Caroline Lizarraga created the shop’s gold-leaf ceiling.
“I’m thrilled about my new Marin flagship, my one and only Harwell Godfrey brick-and-mortar location. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to engage more directly with customers and admirers of my work, allowing them to experience my pieces in a deeper context,” Godfrey said.
“I also see this as an incredible opportunity to grow roots in my community. The store is about 12 minutes from my home and in the short time we’ve been open, I’ve already felt more connected to this place and my neighbors.”
A California native, Godfrey launched her jewelry brand at Paris Fashion Week in 2018, and Harwell Godfrey is now sold at stores nationwide as well as online.
Her work was featured in “Brilliant & Black,” Sotheby’s groundbreaking exhibition of pieces by Black jewelry designers, and she won the 2022 Gem Award for Jewelry Design.
Related stories will be right here …
The 111-square-foot shop is in the Marin Country Mart in Larkspur, California. The country mart is home to restaurants, shops, a post office, yoga and Pilates studios, and it hosts a farmer’s market on the weekend.
It will stock best-sellers from the brand’s collection, as well as new launches and one-of-a-kind pieces.
The store is designed to be a “cozy respite” from the shopping center, the brand said.
The interior features a vintage Murano rainbow glass chandelier, and the built-in jewelry cases are painted a muted purple—a color called “Voodoo” by C2 Paint—and lined with unlacquered brass.
Local decorative artist Caroline Lizarraga created the shop’s gold-leaf ceiling.
Designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey inside her flagship store (Photo credit: Bess Friday)
“I’m thrilled about my new Marin flagship, my one and only Harwell Godfrey brick-and-mortar location. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to engage more directly with customers and admirers of my work, allowing them to experience my pieces in a deeper context,” Godfrey said.
“I also see this as an incredible opportunity to grow roots in my community. The store is about 12 minutes from my home and in the short time we’ve been open, I’ve already felt more connected to this place and my neighbors.”
A California native, Godfrey launched her jewelry brand at Paris Fashion Week in 2018, and Harwell Godfrey is now sold at stores nationwide as well as online.
Her work was featured in “Brilliant & Black,” Sotheby’s groundbreaking exhibition of pieces by Black jewelry designers, and she won the 2022 Gem Award for Jewelry Design.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
MajorsOct 10, 2024
Why Ritani Is Partying Like It’s 1999The jeweler is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a throwback campaign.
CollectionsOct 10, 2024
Pomellato Revives Past Designs for New Capsule Collection“Memorie D’Archivio” was inspired by the “Mora” and “Mosaico” collections the brand introduced in the ‘90s.
SourcingOct 10, 2024
Lucara Sells Clara to Its Original FoundersCEO William Lamb said divesting the diamond sales platform allows the company to focus on the underground expansion of Karowe.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
MajorsOct 10, 2024
Oscar Heyman Releases 2024 Holiday CatalogIt features 124 jewels and a variety of colored gemstones.
Weekly QuizOct 03, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
ColumnistsOct 09, 2024
Peter Smith: 7 Things to Know When Selling LuxuryAhead of the holiday season, Smith delves into the often subconscious reasons people buy luxury products for themselves or their loved ones.
AuctionsOct 09, 2024
Rolex Worn on Apollo 14 Mission Up for SaleThe GMT-Master “Pepsi” belonging to astronaut Edgar Mitchell is a standout in RR Auction’s online “Space Auction,” going on now.
Brought to you by
Why You Can't Miss JA New York This FallDon't miss this one-stop-shop in October, curated with buyers’ needs in mind.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
New Simon Campaign Invites Gen Z to ‘Meet Me At The Mall’The ads celebrate the mall culture of the ‘80s and ‘90s.
MajorsOct 09, 2024
PGI Launches New Virtual Sales TrainingRetail sales associates can access the video series on mobile to refresh their selling skills.
Policies & IssuesOct 09, 2024
GJNRF: Reaching Out, Rebuilding Futures For 25 years, India’s Gem & Jewellery National Relief Foundation has provided aid in the wake of war, natural disasters, and global crises.
AuctionsOct 08, 2024
Sotheby’s Selling Jewelry That Belonged to a Bulgarian TsarThe November auction will feature a collection of jewels owned by Ferdinand I, the first king of modern Bulgaria, and his family.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Rio Tinto Begins New Phase of Production That Will Extend Diavik’s LifeCommercial production has begun underground at the Canadian diamond mine’s A21 pipe.
SurveysOct 08, 2024
What to Know About Online Shopping This Holiday SeasonDeloitte and Adobe Analytics shared their insights on the season, from the retail sales forecast to the role of generative AI.
CollectionsOct 08, 2024
Sylvie Adds New Men’s BandsThe Texas-based jeweler collaborated with luxury clothing brand Uncommon Man on men’s bands designed with European influences.
SourcingOct 08, 2024
Is Current Diamond Industry Turbulence Shaping a ‘New Normal’? Industry players have found ways to cope with market conditions while working to reshape themselves in the face of emerging realities.
SourcingOct 07, 2024
Rio Tinto to Offer 76 Diamonds in 2024 Beyond Rare Tender The sales event, in its second year, features a selection of rare diamonds from the miner’s Argyle and Diavik diamond mines.
CollectionsOct 07, 2024
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi Partners With Heller Jewelers on New CollectionA portion of the proceeds from the “Always Dream” collection will go to Yamaguchi's foundation, supporting early childhood literacy.
SurveysOct 07, 2024
Hill & Co.’s New ‘Business of Jewelry Report’ Is OutThe first in what is slated to be a series of in-depth reports from the consulting company, it focuses on shortening supply chains.
WatchesOct 04, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Clocks Another Acquisition—HodinkeeThe company said Benjamin Clymer will return to his role as head of the watch news website, which will maintain editorial independence.
SourcingOct 04, 2024
How India Became the World’s Second-Largest Market for Diamond Jewelry A strong economy, a growing middle class with an affinity for brands, and rapid expansion of organized retail have fueled the market’s rise.
MajorsOct 04, 2024
Hearts On Fire Names Gabrielle Grazi VP of Sales, North AmericaThe industry veteran is also the president-elect of the Women’s Jewelry Association.
CollectionsOct 04, 2024
Piece of the Week: Ray Griffiths’ ‘Double Headed Snake’ RingSlither into spooky season with this scary snake ring that boasts two heads with tsavorite eyes.
Policies & IssuesOct 03, 2024
RJO, CERF+ Join Those Offering Hurricane Helene Relief to Affected JewelersPlus, how to apply for emergency funds and donate to recovery efforts.
CrimeOct 03, 2024
Man Who Shared Spoils of $2.7M Smash-and-Grab on Social Media Pleads Guilty to Robbery ChargeLadell Tharpe, 39, took part in a 2022 jewelry store robbery and then posted pictures of cash on Instagram with the text “Robbery Gang.”
MajorsOct 03, 2024
JA Appoints New Board DirectorThe trade organization welcomed Sheryl Jones to its board of directors for a three-year term.
MajorsOct 03, 2024
Pandora Names 3rd CMO in Past 5 YearsNew Chief Marketing Officer Berta de Pablos-Barbier has worked for LVMH’s champagne brands and Kering-owned Boucheron.
