Going for the Gold
Mary Landon Green is the owner and creator of GOLD by Green, an online jewelry store housing all handmade jewelry, designed by Mary herself. While her title boasts Gold, she also offers Sterling Silver, as well as beaded jewelry, “But Gold is my favorite” she clarified. For as long as she can remember Mary loved all things sparkly. “I’ve always loved jewelry…My mom is fancy and glamorous, she loves a tiara,” she remarked with a laugh. “I remember going into her jewelry box and putting on her ‘good’ stuff’’,” she smiles. That draw toward her mother’s glitzy and gold jewelry grew into friendship bracelet-making as a child, and then making jewelry for her bridesmaids. Her creative spark never seemed to wane, and, in 2018, she started GOLD by Green.
Helpful Connections
After receiving business coaching in 2017 from Heidi Lowe, a local Rehoboth Beach esteemed jewelry maker and designer, Mary set out on her own. “Heidi was the start of a wave of positivity for me,” Mary recalled. Then the power of social media kickstarted her company. “There is a ‘gatekeeper’ mentality in the jewelry community,” Mary said, explaining how there is a reputation of designers and creators being closed-off to newbies, and very protective of their contacts and vendors. Mary, however, had the opposite experience. “I was just brought into the fold and most of the people I connected with were open and helpful. It was clear who not to ask, so I just went around them,” she said. Through social media Mary connected with Thomas Kurilla, a freelance jeweler in New York City, who formerly designed for Tiffany and Co. and agreed to help her with production. “He brings my designs to life,” she said. “I send him drawings, measurements, dimensions, crystals and gems, and he makes a CAD design (a 3-D digital design) which I then tweak or approve before final production.”
“I’ve always loved jewelry…My mom is fancy and glamorous, she loves a tiara.”
Inspirations
Mary is the think-tank, designing beautiful jewelry inspired by her local southern Delaware surroundings; the beach, water, seashells or orchids, and those ideas come to life in no other than iconic New York City’s Manhattan jewelry district. It’s a true Eastern Shoreline collaboration. All of Mary’s jewelry is made with intention and meaning. “My go-to is Moonstone, Agate and Aquamarine, and I’m very drawn to colors, crystals, and the properties of stones.” She further explains how all stones have meaning and healing properties. “I also love mixing metals.” Mary combined her love of sports, (she’s a die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan) and jewelry, for a tribute piece where she designed a sterling silver cuff bracelet donning the words “Shalieve” in honor of former Pittsburgh Steeler football player Ryan Shazier, who suffered a traumatic spinal cord injury. A portion of the proceeds from every bracelet sold is donated to The Ryan Shazier Charity Fund for
Spinal Rehabilitation.
Prepare to Be Dazzled
Her dazzling stock fluctuates with demand, “I used to be known as the “ring girl” she smiles. “Rings were my thing at the start, but I’ve certainly branched out over the years,” she said. Now, she makes about 10-20 one of a kind, custom pieces of jewelry per year. All of which can all be found at her online shop, GOLD by Green. goldbygreen.com Check it out and go spend some of your “green” on Mary’s Gold. Beaded Bracelets, designed and made by her right here in Rehoboth Beach are $25 – $40, and her custom fine jewelry designs, in both Gold and Silver, are available from $125 – $395.
