Christopher S. Nelson 
Typically inspired by color and the outdoors, local Denver jewelry never fails to turn heads. There are unique boutiques across the state to meet almost any need, but three stand out for being creative with their work and pieces that scream “Colorado.” Whether you’re looking for a special occasion or the latest must-have piece in your collection, these local jewelry stores are the perfect place to look.
VireoJewelry
Photo by Melissa Belmar.
Jewelry making started as a love of jewelry for the founder Melissa Belmar. As an ecologist, Belmar studies state parks for wildlife, plants, and birds in the summer, but when winter rolls around, his work begins to slow down. It was then that she decided to take a blacksmithing course. From there, she was hooked. After a year of practice in her free time, she started selling on Etsy and Instagram.
Belmar says she draws inspiration from the many stones she works with, especially those that have a more natural feel, like turquoise.
Photo by Kelsey Huffer.
“Most of the time I’m working outside and I come across a nice rock and I could use it in my jewelry,” Belmar said. “I try to honor the stone, it is my main source of inspiration.”
She works mostly at ArtGym, a community workspace for artists. There she is able to use equipment that is not easily accessible otherwise. As this is her primary workspace, she had some difficulty during the pandemic lockdown when the space closed. Fortunately, the community supported her.
“It seems like the general public really wanted to support small businesses, so I felt a lot of love and support during this time from people who were just buying pieces that I had already listed on Etsy,”
For the future, Belmar intends to continue selling on Etsy and instagram but may extend to a few local Denver stores. His work is also to be found next month at First Friday Art Walk on Santa Fe.
ink jewelry
Photo by Kristin Rankin.
iNk Jewelry Owners Ina Gustafsen and Christine Rankin met at a craft sale nearly 20 years ago.
“I was a little intimidated and didn’t know anyone,” Gustafsen said. “I sit down and she walks in, and in my head I was like, ‘Oh, you’re the other jeweler. “”
Their immediate distaste for each other quickly dissipated as they drove to Gustafsen’s for supplies. They have been best friends ever since.
Shortly after meeting, the duo took a jewelry-making class at the senior center, but quickly realized they wanted to do more. They settled in Rankin’s garage for nearly 10 years, working year-round, even in freezing winters. They then found a jewelry representative who began bringing their work to boutiques across the country. Orders started pouring in from there.
Their current home is at the Belmar Mall, where they work in their store in what they call their “test kitchen”. The middle of the shop remains a workspace, but their finished pieces surround the area, even including other works of art created by them and their close friends.
Gustafsen and Rankin’s jewelry style is more organic and less shiny. Nature has been the biggest inspiration for them, but they like to make it look like it’s been there for a while, so almost every piece has a quirky finish.
“We strive to get a piece of jewelry that is someone’s favorite,” Gustafsen said.
Photo by Kristin Rankin.
When it comes to individual pieces, both artists touch each piece and make a collaborative effort for everything they create. Pieces that have been discarded by one artist can be picked up and finished by the other. They even said that if one stopped making jewelry, the other probably wouldn’t continue.
“It’s been such a wonderful life for us,” Rankin said.
Their work can be found in several boutiques across Denver, but they can also be found on their Etsy and instagram.
Flower Jewelry
Photo by Elizabeth Vautour.
At just 15 years old, Lindsay Bloom Backman apprenticed with a jewelry designer, which led her to fall in love with craftsmanship. It was when she moved to Los Angeles for college that she completely immersed herself in jewelry making, especially since she resided right next to the Jewelry District. Soon after, she struck up numerous relationships with TV personalities and stylists, which led to her founding Bloom Jewelry.
The team is made up of five main members: Stacy McElhany Rodgerswholesale sales manager; Christine Argohead of operations; Doug Backmanmarketing expert; Heather Reagan, editor; and Backman, head of design and founder of the company.
When the team comes up with new jewelry, it’s very well planned in advance to coordinate with upcoming styles for the season. Part of that process includes an annual trip to Tucson, Arizona, for the world’s largest gem display. Much of their inspiration comes from what they find on these trips.
Photo by Shana Cook.
“The real inspiration is in the materials we find that are new, interesting and exciting to work with,” Backman said. “I love to travel, and the different colors, textures, patterns and natural beauty I find also influence my design process.”
A unique aspect of this company is its strong dedication to customer happiness. Not only do they provide lifetime repairs, refreshes and polishes, but they are also open to custom designs and styling.
As the seasons and color trends change, so do the gemstones, so customers can expect to see new pieces in the months to come. Currently, they are showing an Opal collection for the summer months and launching fall and holiday models in September.
Their work can be found on their website and instagram.
Vireo, iNk, and Bloom Jewelry, while all having their own signature styles, are representative of Denver’s growing jewelry scene and the inspiring work yet to come.
