Jewelry Store Owner Makes Unique Works of Art

Vivian Lew's store on Mountain Road in Glen Burnie might not be huge, but it is brimming with small pieces of art for every budget.

From rainbow-like diamonds to the pearlescence of shells mixed with silver and other elements, P.H. Lee Jewelry is a treasure trove of sights for the jewelry lover.

The store opened in 1987 and has been at 48 Mountain Rd. ever since. The store features work made by Lew and jewelry from several parts of the world, including Hong Kong and other Asian locales.

Lew studied jewelry design in New York City. She creates custom pieces and offers diamond remount and repair services, she said.

"They can use their own diamond and put it in different settings," she said.

Instead of something mass-produced, Lew said she can create something the customer will not see someone else wearing.

"I make something special and unique," she said. "You can't find it in the mall."

Lew, a native of China, said she has a large assortment of items, including yellow and green jade, wedding rings, engagement rings, high-quality tanzanite and kunzite, green amethyst, pink sapphires and 18-karat gold from Hong Kong.

Even rose gold, which can be difficult to find, could be used by Lew to make a one-of a-kind piece, she said.

The jewelry in the shop ranges in price from less than $20 to thousands of dollars.

There is pearl, shell and sparkling jewelry for weddings, and Lew said she makes custom pieces for wedding attendants.

One of the designs Lew made recently includes clear crystals, peach-colored pearls and green jade, all worked into a necklace.

Some of store's large, colorful pieces include two pink-purple-hued kunzite and diamond rings, and an emerald-cut kunzite pendant topped and surrounded by diamonds.

A diamond-encrusted butterfly brooch from Hong Kong is a glittery piece in a case near wedding bands and engagement rings.

Lew said beads designed to be collected are becoming popular and are often made into bracelets.

She carries Reflection Beads, and the line includes glass beads, crystal beads, sterling silver beads and sterling silver letters.

Whether a customer is looking for an inexpensive piece of jewelry, or some serious bling, Lew might just have it in her little shop.

When asked what type of jewelry is Lew's favorite, she simply said, "the big stuff."