Gem Gossip Visits Marissa Collections in Naples, FL

Marissa Collections | Gem Gossip

After a full weekend filled with jewelry at the Miami Antique Show, there was nothing I needed more than, well–MORE jewelry! I’ve been dying to visit Marissa Collections in sunny (more like ALWAYS sunny) Naples, Florida. It is just a short jaunt from Miami across the Florida Everglades along Alligator Alley (legit name) for about two hours. The juxtaposition of Miami and Naples couldn’t be anymore stronger, but that’s what makes them both great destinations. After spending most of the day at Marissa Collections, I flew back home to Nashville. I never know how each #JewelryRoadTrip feature is going to come out until I sit down and start editing the photos, and formulate everything I just experienced into words. For me, I feel like being highly impressed may be an understatement–but this store truly is in a category of its own. See what I mean:

In its own category

It’s 2017 and yes, people shop differently. But it’s not always as cut and dry as some may have you thinking. There are articles out there that say brick-and-mortar stores are headed on the way out and that more and more people are shopping online. Well that’s not the full story. Today, shoppers want an experience–something unique, genuine and something that keeps them coming back for more. At Marissa Collections, the shopping experience they’ve created for their clients has been happening for over 40 years. It is exclusive in so many ways that it eliminates the store from ever being put into categories with other jewelry stores or retail shops. So what are the qualities about Marissa Collections that set it apart from the rest? What are they doing that has continually made them a success story, unlike other jewelry stores whose headlines read differently?

Marissa Collections has developed their own secret sauce, starting with the store covering 10,000 square feet of posh. When you first walk in, besides immediately being offered a beverage, you may notice the obvious sections that the store is set up within. Notice I didn’t use the word “divided” because although there are definite sections, they all fuse and flow together.

Whether you’re visiting to shop for a special occasion or wanting to browse, you’ll come to find the store feels like one big dressing room. It is noted that a good amount of jewelry sales are made in their dressing rooms because the simple fact that jewelry is necessary to top off any outfit! It just makes it that much better. And the jewelry that Marissa Collections hand-selects for their cases is quite special in its own right.

The Designers

Wanting to create a line-up of jewelry designers that didn’t overlap, each having a sense of individuality was very important to Marissa Collections. If a designer specializes in 22k yellow gold designs, there won’t be others offered in store that look or feel similar. The curation extends from all parts of the world, each producing amazing pieces, some comparable to pieces of art. If you like big and bold, trendy and layer-ready, sentimental and celebratory, Marissa Collections’ selection is extensive.

Designers like Silvia Furmanovich–a Brazilian powerhouse who uses ancient techniques paired with bold designs and color. Often incorporating organic materials like wood and shells, her jewelry fits right into the Florida style of Marissa Collections.

Irene Neuwirth jewelry is a favorite–what’s not to love of her colorful gemstones, one-of-a-kind designs and sea-inspired looks. Marissa Collections is proud to house many outstanding pieces from this California-based designer.

Nikos Koulis brings Greek radiance to Marissa Collections with his striking and colorful designs. His sharp aesthetic has created a large following with only a few years in business.

Arunashi will inspire and make your jaw-drop with his luxurious and extremely unique designs. I was surprised by the light-weight titanium used in his pieces–the colorful metals and rare gemstones, all mixed into one bold and beautiful jewel.

I loved learning about designers I was unfamiliar with until seeing and experiencing them at Marissa Collections. Designers like Tamara Comolli, Inbar, Shamballa Jewels, all whom I wasn’t familiar with and easily fell for once I saw and learned of their work. Seeing some Gem Gossip favorites like Shay Jewelry, Todd Reed, Sylva & Cie, Victor Velyan, Dana Rebecca Designs, Wendy Yue, Spinelli Kilcollin, and Alison Lou, all whom Marissa Collections proudly carries.

The Family

Marissa Collections’ legacy begins in 1975 with Marissa & Burt Hartington, husband and wife team, who opened the store with one goal in mind: to help clients develop their individual style. The creativity and eye for curation of Marissa has lead to the store continually growing over the years. Their dedicated retail space for jewelry is just nearly 10 years old, which their son Jay has taken the reigns of. The designers chosen for Marissa Collections are both equal parts ideal for the store’s clients and all around great additions to outfits which the store is known for. Jay says it is important to show women how to wear the pieces they offer. Cultivating great style begins with exploring different ways of wearing things and learning how to accessorize with jewelry.

Not Just Jewelry

Although my main focus on this #JewelryRoadTrip feature is obviously the jewelry, I would be leaving a big part out if I didn’t mention what else Marissa Collections offers. The specialty shop is truly a destination store where people come from all over the world to experience something quite like this. Fashions from high end designers (like Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Brunello Cucinelli), shoes, handbags, menswear, couture gowns and even a makeup studio are all features of the store. The staff is equipped with experienced stylists who are at the forefront of fashion and can help you find the perfect outfit whether it is for a very specific special occasion or for everyday wear. Marissa Collections prides itself on the relationships it grows between their clients and stylists; connections that run deeper than any other store-to-shopper bond.