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It was that easy?
Well, we just opened. But building the store and getting through
the city permits was
difficult
. We had
no
idea what we were in for. Then,
it took some time finding craftsmen and a place to live. Mike stayed in
Canada to sell the store which took about six months; we brought down
our best goldsmith, and I ran the shop. The bank manager at Montecito
Bank & Trust where we continue to do our banking, suggested he’d hold a
little reception for us. About fifty people came; we got a little write up in
the local paper, then, a couple of other businesses opened nearby and we
just took it from there.
Tell us about those intricate carvings that are always featured in your
windows.
Our carvings are done by two well-known German carvers who live
in the small community of Idar-Oberstein in Germany. We visit four or
five times a year and have for thirty years now, and have exclusive rights to
their production. We bring them the rough stones, which Mike acquires
himself – fine gems, rough rubies, aquamarine, tourmaline, quartz,
etcetera – and we store it there and work out ideas for the carving. This is
a real specialty; there’s nowhere else in the world where these carvings are
offered in such high quality.
What do those carvings cost?
The price range is from fifteen thousand to seventy thousand dollars.
It’s amazing the amount of interest there is in these carvings. We have
several clients from all over the world that have major collections. We
just had the Gemological Institute of America photograph carvings from
collections in Montecito. The gem carvings we’re known for are the finest
in the world, both in material and workmanship. But, it’s a dying art;
there’s no one now following in the footsteps of these craftsmen. Each
carving takes six to eight weeks to complete.
Is it an exaggeration to say you are known – and admired – throughout
the world?
Absolutely not. We have been featured in fashion and jewelry
magazines; we’re known all over the world in gem society, and our
jewelry designs have won numerous awards. Mike is particularly
recognized for his knowledge. We have – either in our inventory or
access to – the finest gemstones in the world. Quite honestly, if it’s
out there we have it or we can get it. We have such longstanding
relationships with people all over the world; they want to have their
diamonds and gems here.
Silverhorn (805-969-0442) at 1155 Coast Village Road is open five days
a week (Tuesday through Saturday); Silverhorn at Four Seasons Biltmore is
open seven days a week; both are also available by appointment.
Carole and Mike Ridding of Silverhorn reflect both the elegance and the casual
nature of the jewelry they create