Terry Meriano, owner of Martha Lee’s Jewelry, poses with some of her vintage jewelry.
By Sarah Baker
bakers@knoxfocus.com
Martha Lee’s Jewelry is the ideal place to shop for Christmas gifts this year, especially if you’re looking for something thoughtful and distinctive. As soon as you walk through the front door, you are surrounded by beautiful colors and textures assuring you that you have come to the right place.
The locally-owned store offers an array of vintage costume jewelry including Sarah Coventry, Corro, Weiss, and Listner. Owner Terry Meriano has operated the store for over 30 years, taking it over after her mother, the store’s namesake, was in an accident. Meriano, who fondly remembers playing in her mother’s jewelry box when she was a little girl, has even brought much of her private collection to the store.
“I enjoy seeing other people appreciate it,” says Meriano. “I imagine someone getting it for Mother’s Day or Christmas and wearing it to church.” “Each piece has a story,” she says, “the story of where it’s been and the story it will have with someone new.”
Martha Lee’s Jewelry has something for everyone. She has beautiful pieces from under $10 to several hundred dollars. The variety of vintage pieces is splendid. She has pendants, pins, earrings, necklaces in all shapes and sizes and each one makes a statement. Each one has the ability to change an entire outfit. Classic jewelry sets hover around $20 and are absolutely ideal Christmas gifts.
It is hard to think of vintage jewelry without thinking of cameos, and Meriano has a lovely variety. Another unique assortment found at Martha Lee’s is a truly rare variety of micro-mosaic pins. She also has some really chic Christmas pins, perfect for a Holiday party or Christmas event at church. Have someone on your list that doesn’t have pierced ears? Martha Lee’s has about 400 pairs of clip earrings to choose from. Meriano has some stylish choices for men as well including cuff links, tie tacks, and tie bars.
With the price of gold as high as it is, Martha Lee’s Jewelry offers some wonderful alternatives. Not only does she have her astonishing collection of vintage jewelry, but she also has some beautiful diamonds, sterling silver, and gold too. Martha Lee’s also offers repair work.
The store is located at 5103 Clinton Highway near Krystal and there are a thousand good reasons to go, even more than the names on your Christmas list.
