Jewelry Without Borders — Our Story
Jewelry Without Borders
From a gold shop in the Khan al-Khalili to the markets of the world — a personal collection, thirty years in the making
A Lifelong Love of Ancient Craft
It started in Cairo in 1996. I had moved there as an expat and found my way to the Khan al-Khalili — the great bazaar that has been the beating heart of Cairo's trade since the fourteenth century. There I met Ali, a gentle man with a small gold shop, who took it upon himself to convince me that I needed a jewelry collection. I had no such collection. I started buying Bedouin pieces from him mostly to be kind.
Ali was doing me an enormous favor. Some of those early pieces are still among my finest. That first purchase opened a door I have never closed. Since then I have traveled extensively — always with one eye out for a souk, a market stall, a basket of tangled silver, a stack of old textiles. Nothing in the world thrills me quite like it.
Years later, living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I fell just as deeply in love with Native American jewelry — the heavy sterling and turquoise of the Navajo and Zuni silversmiths, pieces made with the same devotion to craft and meaning I had found in Cairo.
I also had the great fortune to live in Buenos Aires, where I was surrounded by the extraordinary textiles of Bolivia, Ecuador, and Peru — weavings of such richness and complexity they stop you in your tracks — and the silver of the Mapuche people, bold and ancient and unlike anything else in the world.
This site is the natural home for everything I have gathered. You will find serious collectible vintage ethnic jewelry here, but also newer, well-loved fashion pieces — because my favorite part of any day is still deciding what to wear.
Our Philosophy
Sourced with Intention
Every piece is acquired directly from trusted dealers, estate sales, and regional markets across nine countries. We travel to the source — not to a catalog.
Authenticity Guaranteed
We stand behind every piece we sell. Each item is examined for provenance, age, and cultural origin before it ever reaches our collection.
Worn Stories
We believe jewelry is biography. A Berber collar, a Maasai beaded cuff, a Yemenite filigree pendant — each one was worn by a real person, in a real life.
Nine Regions, One Vision
From the souks of Marrakech to the markets of Oaxaca, our collection spans nine of the world's richest jewelry traditions, united by a love of craft and beauty.
Our Authenticity Pledge
Every piece in this collection has been personally examined and chosen. I do not sell reproductions. I do not sell tourist pieces. I sell the real thing — objects that were made to be worn, that were worn, and that carry the patina of a life lived.
If you have a question about a piece — its origin, its age, its cultural context — I would love to hear from you. Write to me at [email protected]. These are my favorite conversations.
Have a Piece to Sell?
I am always interested in acquiring exceptional vintage ethnic jewelry and textiles for the collection. If you have pieces you are considering selling — whether a single cherished find or an entire collection — I would love to hear from you.
I am particularly interested in Bedouin and North African silver, Indian and Rajasthani pieces, Native American turquoise and sterling, and fine ethnic textiles. But if it is beautiful and has a story, please reach out.
Send me a note with a brief description and photos if you have them. All inquiries are handled personally and with discretion.
Get in Touch
Reach out by email or phone — I respond to every inquiry personally.
Ready to Find Your Piece?
Browse the full collection — each piece is one of a kind and won't last long.
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