Meredith Jackson has lived all over—from Louisiana to Oklahoma to California and London.
It was in Europe that her love of all things old and filled with history and character took hold.As she searched through junk to pull out little trinkets and treasure at the famous Portobello Market in Notting Hill, a deep curiosity with jewelry began. Her first teacher was a Russian dealer who taught Meredith which stones and jewels were a good buy and which were not. And so the seeds of Meredith Jackson Jewelry were born.
A decade ago, Meredith picked a place on a map and found herself in Charlotte, North Carolina. “I knew I had to work for myself if I was going to make any money,” Meredith says. “It was going to be something creative, so I decided that jewelry had that most instant gratification and I would regret not giving it a try.”
What is it about jewelry that speaks to you?
To me, jewelry should be timeless for many reasons. It should tell a story, finish and outfit, mark an occasion, become a family heirloom or just be down right fun to put on because it makes a girl feel pretty. I always ask customers, “What are your jewelry wardrobe holes?” This is important because women and men spend a lot of money on clothing which gets replaced. Jewelry can last forever. Stone and metals come from the earth and were here before we were and will be here long after we are gone. That’s what makes jewelry special.
Tell us about the store.
I opened the boutique in 2012. Nolan Joyce and I design and buy for the store together. We carry designers from all over the US and Canada in addition to our own designs made in our working studio. We hand knot everything, and use the highest quality materials at the most affordable prices to appeal to anyone looking to become a collector or gift. We also offer natural stone based jewelry, high quality metals such as gold-fill, sterling silver and vermeil, and work hard to bring all price ranges into the store.
Give us your best tips: What should we know about actually wearing jewelry?
There are some important factors for wardrobing a woman, and scale is a big one: the jewelry has to fit your figure and lifestyle. Most women need their comfort zone pushed a bit, but the jewelry still has to be comfortable. Also, color is every woman’s friend. Neutrals have their time and place, and so does sparkle and amping it up a notch.
What are your personal favorite pieces?
My personal favorites are ones I wear everyday and have collected over the years. A diamond watch from my Dad, a green garnet estate piece I call my “Power Ring,” and earrings! Any kind—I’m an earring girl.
What is unique about Meredith Jackson Jewelry?
The services, like the custom bridal and wedding party jewelry wardrobing we offer. We look at everything from the rehearsal dinner to Sunday brunch. We want to know what everyone is wearing to pull it all together. We also commonly rework older jewelry for customers, the things that they have inherited and like but has been sitting in a drawer for years.
