Pearls of Saint Barthelemy

These ladies took conservative pearls and restrung them on thin leather cords. All The rage in Saint Barthelemy:

(From left) Daughter Marie, Mother Maryvonne, Granddaughter Jessica

Unique combinations: pearls and leather, sea glass, shells, pearls -- all very beautifully conceived and executed. I collect pieces, as does Inge Fontaine, my stylist, my daughter Alexis. Everyone looks great with a single pearl or many ropes. The pearls holes have to be drilled larger than they do for a conventional necklace, because the thongs are thicker the knots used are sailors knots, similar to macrame.

The shop is called Maryvonne & Gerard. Bijoux de la Mer

Rue de la Republique
Gustavia 97133
Saint Barthelemy
Telephone: 0590-52-37-68
bijoux@epilog.com

Comments

[Kathy]

Martha,
These unique pearls of St. Barts, alone or with their leather, glass, and shells are beautiful. Thanks for the explanation of how the necklaces are created. So beautiful.
Kathy

[Carol]

How are the pearls obtained on the island? Do locals dive and bring up oysters which they sell or keep for their pearls? Are the round pearls found on the beach like shells? I have not seen pearl diving by locals on any islands I have been to, but neither have I seen people with pearls strung with leather like a plentiful local jewel.

[Bethie]

What cool necklaces! I would like to make some with just faux pearls for fun. Love them.

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, What a facinating blog. I hope you will show and wear some of these creations on your show real soon so we can get a closer look at them. How soon will our favorite sea glass and shell collector, Hannah Millman, travel down there to bring back more for her beautiful creations? Thanks for sharing. Jan

[Matthew Robbins]

Hi Martha! Happy New Year!! I always look at your blog but never think of posting a comment until reading your entry regarding Bijoux de la Mer. I love the pieces they create in that lovely little shop & I own several of their creations. I spend time every year on the island of St. Barts & always make time for a visit to Bijoux de la Mer. I'm so happy you are a fan of their work. They are so perfectly St. Barts.
Best wishes,
Matthew Robbins

[Sue Mannel]

They look earthy yet elegant.

Sue:)

[Kathleen Marie]

This is an excellent idea. Wonderfully creative! Happy New Year!

[Jolynn Mytnick North Ridgeville, Ohio]

Martha,
What a well deserved trip you deserve this so much. The pictures are so beautiful. I have been to St. Bart's and St. Martin and you are right the shopping is the best. But, I really liked the beaches. Can't wait for your return to see more pictures of the trip. p.s. what a great idea to take the doors off the helicopter to take better pictures.

[Dawn @ My Home Sweet Home]

Wow! Those are quite beautiful and so unique.

[NetPearl]

Hi all!

Carol, the pearl on the picture are either Tahitian Pearl or Chinese freshwater pearls.

No pearls are cultured in the caribbean. The pearls are imported from the Pacific region (French Polynesia, Japan, Australia, Philippines, China...)

Best

Francois

[Emily]

Martha - Beautiful trip pictures, but please consider visiting the FL panhandle, especially the resort villages along C.R.30A. We have the most beautiful white sand beaches, gorgeous emerald green water and even shops that sell the same pearls on leather thong necklaces and so much more. Plus, we are a lot closer to NY. Come on down.

[Pat Walker]

Dear Martha,

Recently I have been seeing bottle trees in peoples' yards and gardens. I made one myself and it sits out in the pond. It holds 43 colored bottles, attracting birds and reflecting light. What can you tell us about them?

Pat Walker
Jonesboro, Ga

[joe]

hello ms. stewart,

the ladies who own that store are wonderful. i walked in there last year and they fitted me with a big black pearl that stays around my neck. im a guy and i was concerned about it falling off. Ms.Maryvone told me her son is a surfer and it will stay on for life!
i get the coolest compliments.

you are a cool lady and you do good work. i like you.

joe in dc

ps i want to send you a photo of me with the ladies above and our black pearl, where do i send it

[Lesley]

There is nothing like the boho chic vibe of St Barts, and the effortless good taste and style of Maryvonne's pearl jewelry/artwork reflects that. We "drop in" to catch up with the family whenever we are in town, which translates to lovely memories and more pearls on my cluster necklace, which looks like a handful of gorgeous pewter-colored grapes. I also wear their single pearl choker, which never never comes off, and we were happily photographed together recently at the Finish Line of the Florence Marathon. I knew the Italians would appreciate the extra bit of fabulous flourish - who says runners can't be chic at the same time??!! So excited to visit the rest of the family in Sayulita for even more beautiful pearl pieces. All I know is that wherever I go in the world, my pearls are a conversation piece, and a treasured connection to a place I adore.

[Marcela]

About the Maryvonne's pearl jewelry...what is price (estimate)?

[Regina Kay]

I couldn't stoop purchasing items from their store!!! Mama..she is wonderfully talented and full of life and Maria, her daughter makes you feel the energy of the ocean as she romances each creation!! My husband and I will look forward to visiting them again and again...what a find!!!

[Elle Ferre]

Thank you Martha.
A great story abour our small island St. Barth.
Hope you will come again very soon.

[Laine]

Do you know whether or not they are related to the family in Mexico that has Les Gazelles?
The necklaces look similar