On the well-trodden path connecting some of Savannah’s downtown historical sites is the cozy but dazzling Atelier Galerie.
At the entrance, you may detect the aroma of the coffee roasting just a few doors down, or perhaps you’ll notice the picture of Adam Sandler, who visited with his girls while filming The Do-Over in Savannah! “We are a jewelry oasis in the middle of all the history,” says owner and SCAD graduate Phyllis Lang, “and one of Savannah’s go-to spots for unique, reasonably priced gifts.”
Here, gemstones from times long past serve as the focal point for some of the shop’s one-of-a-kind pieces.
Hand-picked by Lang at the world’s largest gem show in Tucson, there you’ll find lovely blue larimar, iridescent ammonite, tourmalines the color of watermelon rinds, Herkimer diamonds from the Mohawk River Valley, amethyst, kayanite and tanzanite. Atelier Galerie also has one of the largest selections of moonstone in all of Georgia, and even offers pieces made with Zultanite — a stone whose pale greens, pinks and beiges change depending on the light source and angle!
But inspiration abounds closer to home, as well.
While strolling through the city years ago, Lang was struck by the prominence of Savannah’s gates and fences, suddenly seeing their ornate and complex designs as the “jewelry” adorning the city’s marvelous architecture. She immediately began to make pieces inspired by and modeled after the historic wrought iron, and the Savannah Fine Iron line was born. Today, Atelier Galerie carries pieces inspired by the ironwork at the Owens-Thomas House and the Davenport House Museum. But the line will be expanding further in the coming year to include other important historical sites. Also Savannah-inspired are Lang’s Savannah Charm bracelets, featuring some of its most iconic symbols:
- the Bird Girl statue
- the Tybee Island Lighthouse
- the magnolia flower
- the Waving Girl statue
- the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist.
Atelier Galerie encourages visitors to try on the pieces they love.
This still stands, though hand sanitizer is at the ready and masks are required indoors. Atelier Galerie is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
By Dani Ray
Atelier Galerie
150 Abercorn St.
(912) 233-3140
www.agsavannah.com
