Margaret Athanas, a native Charlottean who handcrafts local jewelry in Charlotte, approaches her pieces as far more than adornment. Each piece she sells through In the Light of Day Jewelry carries meaning. These pieces blend ethically sourced gemstones, recycled metals and thoughtful craftsmanship into items meant to be worn every day and passed down for generations.
Athanas says she had been formulating the concept for In the Light of Day for years before the idea really took hold in 2022.
“Having spent several years working for a big box jewelry store repair shop, I decided early on that my path moving forward would center around transparency. I knew that I wanted my business to spotlight ethically-sourced gemstones and diamonds from around the world. I partner with a small group of pioneers in the gem trade who provide sustainably mined and fair-trade gemstones.”
She draws inspiration from Carolina skies, garden blooms and the unexpected beauty of nontraditional stones. In short, her work balances timeless Southern elegance with a fresh, modern perspective. Furthermore, he sets and finishes each piece by hand.
Here, Margaret tells us more about her craft, her inspirations and what makes In the Light of Day special.
Your pieces often balance elegance with everyday wearability. How would you describe your design philosophy as you make local jewelry in Charlotte? What inspires you?
My design ethos is to push the boundaries of what’s considered classic by pairing the design with unusual colors and stones. For instance, many people are familiar with rope textures in jewelry. However, when was the last time you’ve seen it used with an opalescent sapphire the color of the Carolina skies? I am inspired by the stones that I work with. I draw inspiration from walks in nature, flowers blooming in my garden, and the skies at different times of day and different seasons. These materials come from nature, so it only makes sense to reference these inspirations in my designs.
How has being based in Charlotte shaped your perspective as a designer?
I’m a native Charlottean, it’s a beautiful city and there is so much to draw inspiration from! We love color here, but there’s also this sense of tradition that exists in the South. My work is about balancing those traditional ideals of what jewelry should look like while pushing those boundaries through the use of unusual stones and colors.
Are there any customer stories that have especially stayed with you?
One custom commission from earlier this year really stayed with me. The client found me through a mutual connection. Although we never met in person, I felt an immediate kindred spirit. She’d been wearing three engagement rings—one from her mother, one from her grandmother, and one from her partner’s mother—and wanted to bring them together into a single ring. She also wanted to add a touch of color. So we had a great time collaborating and selecting the right stones and she ultimately chose some truly stunning emeralds. The process felt joyful and meaningful from start to finish, and she was thrilled with the final piece.
As both owner and designer, how do you balance the creative side of the business with the day-to-day realities of running a brand?
I have to stay so organized to balance it all. Luckily, I have a very organized husband who steps in when my studio gets too messy! No joke, he made a project board for me to keep track of all my current customs and where they are in the process. I’ve learned through years of experience that the best way to stay productive is to move onto something else if you are struggling with a certain task. You must be in the right head space for tasks like setting stones. If you’re not, you’re going to make costly mistakes.
You can view her full collection on her website. Plus, find a selection of her work at the new location of The Golden Carrot in SouthPark.
inthelightofdayjewelry.com
@inthelightofdayjewelry
