VAIL’S BEST JEWELRY SHOPS OFFER EXQUISITE PIECES FROM LUXURY DESIGNERS AND LOCAL ARTISANS.
This year, Betteridge (betteridge.com), a landmark jeweler that came to the U.S. from England in 1892, has a new owner—Watches of Switzerland Group. The boutique is keeping the Betteridge name and its ethos, but the Vail shop will benefit from the support of the parent company’s global network, including expertise in creating immersive retail environments and experiential activations. Betteridge, which is located in Vail’s Solaris Residences, carries jewelry from brands like Buccellati, Paul Morelli and Pomellato, as well as watches from Rolex, Cartier and Tudor.
Robert Procop blue sapphire ring at Betteridge. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Unusual gemstones like tanzanite, morganite and green tourmaline draw people into Lamina (laminavail.com), an iconic purveyor of fine jewelry located in the heart of Vail Village. Roberto Coin is a cornerstone designer of the shop’s jewelry collection, but you’ll also find clever expandable pieces that transform from ring to bracelet from Italian heritage jewelry-maker Serafino Consoli. Also in the case: silky handwoven 18K gold chains with diamond-lined clasps from Bizzotto Gioielli. “They feel like liquid on your skin,” says Lamina manager Elizabeth Westbrook. Beyond the boutique’s broad selection of jewelry, you’ll find a gallery of museum-quality minerals and fossils, including raptor eggs from the Cretaceous period set in a custom “nest” of solid worked steel.
Serafino Consoli ring-bracelet at Lamina. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Squash Blossom (squashblossomvail.com) has been a Vail fixture since 1973, when John and Patti Cogswell launched the shop. In 2019, they sold the business to Kevin and Hilary Magner. A penchant for jewelry runs in the family for Kevin, whose dad was executive VP of precious jewels at Neiman Marcus for years. The store continues to carry an eclectic mix of unique designs, including its namesake item: traditional Native American turquoise squash blossom necklaces, some from the 1920s and ’30s. “In many Southwestern Native American cultures, seeing squash blossoms on your crops meant you’d eat for another year,” says Jason Leach, Squash Blossom’s manager. The shop also features heirloom gemstones reimagined by Single Stone and one-of-a-kind, handforged pieces by Todd Reed of Boulder.
Single Stone old European-cut diamond rings at Squash Blossom. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
In 1969, when he was just 25, Jim Cotter opened up his eponymous gallery of contemporary designer jewelry (jcottergallery.com) in Vail. Today the internationally recognized artist continues his craft, creating one-of-a-kind cuff s, rings and necklaces out of his metalworking shop in Minturn. Every piece is cast in lost wax, or cire-perdue, a method of metal casting where molten metal is poured into a wax mold that melts away in the process. Cotter often adds stones like violet sapphire or champagne topaz from Nigeria. These stunning unique pieces are truly objets d’art. Cotter’s work can be found in museum collections and private collections worldwide—and, of course, at J. Cotter in Vail Village.
J. Cotter custom cuff. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
The Golden Bear (thegoldenbear.com) opened in 1975, selling the shop’s first mama-bear-shaped gold pendants. The timeless design of the distinctive little bruin has endured over the decades, becoming a symbol of Vail. The jewelry is handcrafted in the shop’s Vail studio by skilled metalsmiths, who create new designs each season. Today, you’ll find hundreds of styles of jewelry featuring the signature bear—from elegant gold pave pendants to handcut turquoise earrings. The boutique uses only precious metals—gold and sterling silver—as well as precious stones, including rubies and emeralds. The Golden Bear is also stocked with giftware adorned with the bear, like tiepins, keychains, pocket knives and etched glassware.
The Golden Bear. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
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