California Jewels   great jewelry...great prices™

California Jewels is a family business.  In 1992 when one of their children asked to start her own business...The Brodies supported her efforts.  Two years later their daughter could no longer continue...so the Brodies asked her to teach them everything she knew so that they could continue the business and not lose any of their investment.

Thanks to all their customers and the encouragement of family and friends California Jewels is now in its twentieth year of business.  The Brodies (Vicki and Clifford) continue to design and handcraft all jewelry they display and sell.

The business has changed over the years from the mostly crystal and semiprecious pieces their daughter originally designed and made.  Sterling silver findings were added.  Kiris and Ceramic Animal Necklaces came into being.  Sports jewelry was introduced when the Brodies were asked to make some necklaces and earrings for a softball tournament.  Clifford took a class in lost wax casting which led to the introduction of Uncial Gothic Brooches...crystal brooches and other pin designs.  

In 2000 the Brodies created their unique Millennium Collection of earrings...bracelets and necklaces made exclusively with jet Aurora Borealis and Rosaline gold crystal.   What a gorgeous way to celebrate! 

In 2001 the Brodies created a red...white...and blue collection in support of the NY Firefighters' families effected by the tragedy of 9/11.  A portion of the sales of  that collection was sent to a special fund setup to help the families.

In 2008 Ceramic Animal Earrings were born...and an earring design for animals with "horizontal holes"  was developed in 2009.  Some Ceramic Animal Earrings match the ever popular Ceramic Animal Necklaces while others are worn on their own. 

In 2009 Clifford designed and handcrafted bigger...longer even more gorgeous crystal earrings.  Strand Necklaces were introduced in 2008 and Strand Bracelets in 2009.  One customer has at least one Strand Bracelet in colors of each of his favorite sports teams.  He wears several at a time and continues to order more for himself and others.           

In May 2010 Koordinates (matched sets that include a pair of earrings...a bracelet...and a necklace) were introduced along with some new crystal earring and Kiri designs. 

In addition to the internet California Jewels are seen at arts & crafts shows...festivals...school fundraisers...other special events...farmers’ markets... corporate shows...and private jewelry parties.  The Brodies enjoy meeting and talking with customers.  Clifford enjoys photographing people and putting their pictures in the picture gallery on the California Jewels website.

Quite often Vicki is asked to create a one-of-kind necklace...earrings and/or a bracelet to go with a customer’s wedding dress...prom dress or other special outfit.  She usually strings spontaneously or from sketches she has made.  Most Ceramic Animal Necklaces are Vicki’s original designs straight out of her imagination.  In 2010 she delighted in designing a necklace and earrings set with white eagles and purple and gold beads for the president of an Eagles Auxiliary...and a light sapphire blue and aurora borealis crystal necklace and earrings set for a young lady's quinceñara.  Vicki continues to make 1 or 2 AB crystal necklaces each year.  Each is one-of-a-kind.    

Clifford finishes all jewelry Vicki makes and in addition repairs customer-owned jewelry.  He has matched lost earrings...restrung and redesigned necklaces where some of the customer’s original material was lost or damaged.  He makes and custom-fits all anklets...most of which are ordered to go.  All Kiri Necklaces (including Sports Kiris) are individually designed and handcrafted by Clifford...and all brooches (pins) with lost wax cast sterling silver letters on them are handmade exclusively by Clifford.  In summer of 2010 Clifford was asked to design and make a bolo tie with a customer's initial cast in sterling silver on it.  He liked the results so much he made one for himself too.  He continues to custom make bolos for others which are available by custom order only and can take several weeks or longer to complete. 

Both Brodies enjoy making custom jewelry for those who want something special…and they offer their unique redesign service for previously owned (often inherited) pieces of jewelry.  

One customer brought several necklaces to the Brodies for evaluation.  Some could not be changed without too much time and expense involved...so they were not.  The woman ended up with 5 new necklace...bracelet...and earrings sets made from crystal...stone and other pieces she already had.  All were cleaned...redesigned and handcrafted by the Brodies...and another necklace and earrings set was made from some of the stones for the woman to give to her daughter.    

In May 2009...the 100th edition of the California Jewels monthly newsletter was sent.  It featured pictures of 100 different pieces of jewelry made by the Brodies over the years.  Copies of the Gold and Silver Newsletters (originally published in 2001) are presented as handouts to anyone who has sensitive ears or who is concerned about metal allergies.  The California Jewels monthly newsletter celebrated 10 years of publication with its December 2010 edition. 

To receive the California Jewels monthly newsletter and/or a list of subjects covered...email your request to vmbrodie@californiajewels.com. 

By 2011 Sports jewelry included 3 different earrings designs and necklaces in various team colors featuring Sports balls for  baseball... basketball...football...golf... soccer...tennis...and volleyball.

Each year the Brodies try to introduce something new and different to compliment the designs that continue.

 To see more jewelry...click on the following.

© California Jewels 2012