Owner and designer John Rippe and gemologist Karen Piper stand outside Opalesce Jewelry in Jack London Village. photo: james golway/special to the Sun
To highlight its two-year anniversary, Opalesce Jewelry is holding a weekend-long celebration at its creekside studio and showroom in Glen Ellen. Visitors will be able to meet the owner and award-winning designer, John Rippe. Guests can see the studio where he creates unique jewelry of the highest caliber. The expert gemologist, Karen Piper, will be available to share her insights and personal knowledge of the world of gemology.
Opalesce is a full-service jewelry store offering a spectrum of services: cleaning, repairs, appraisals, gem identification, and custom designs. On display are many of Rippe’s creations, ranging from rings to pendants, plus an assortment of necklaces and bracelets.
In 1974 Rippe opened his first jewelry store in Marin county. In 1987 he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he practiced and refined his craft for 17 years. His reputation for designing jewelry of elegant simplicity, but with an understated dramatic flair, earned Rippe the prestigious Spectrum Award from the American Gem Trade Association for his “Choya” ring design that was inspired by the cholla cactus.
After opening Opalesce, Rippe teamed up with appraiser and gemologist Karen Piper, whose love of gemology has taken her across the globe, searching for stones of unsurpassed quality in Nepal and Thailand and at major gem shows. Before joining Opalesce as its resident gemologist, Piper ran her own company specializing in ruby, emerald, sapphire, tsavorite and rubellite.
Both Rippe and Piper believe one element that sets Opalesce apart from other jewelry stores is their commitment to offering only quality gems presented in settings crafted from the purest of metals. They also offer a deep understanding of gemstones and jewelry that they hope to pass on to their customers. “Many jewelry stores are staffed by clerks who have no idea what they are selling,” said Piper. “At Opalesce we take time to educate the customer, so they can better appreciate quality gems and what truly makes fine jewelry.”
“It’s rare for stores to offer customers the opportunity to sit and talk with the actual jeweler,” added Rippe. “But that’s what we offer – intimate, personal service that few other jewelers can match. After all, both Karen and I love gems and jewelry; its part of our life. So it’s natural we want to share our passion with everyone who visits Opalesce.”
The anniversary celebration of Opalesce starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday, 24. Refreshments will be available and complimentary jewelry cleaning and preliminary appraisals will be offered.
Opalesce is in Jack London Village, 14301 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen. Call 707.933.8007 for more information.
