Winner:
Grannis Gallery

Runner-Up:
Von Bargen's

CROWNED JEWELS

When husband-and-wife team Timothy Grannis and Susan Hurd opened their jewelry shop 10 years ago, their vision was to present the best designs the Burlington area could handle, in terms of price points and style. That appears to have worked out just fine. Grannis Gallery features the wearable creations of more than 50 artists, from whimsical jellybean earrings to sophisticated “Fireworks” earrings with diamonds set in streamers of gold on oxidized silver. Many exquisite, handcrafted pieces showcase a Japanese technique called Mokume Gane that gives gold a woodgrain effect. The store’s baubles are all made in small design studios, which sets them far apart from commercial, mass-produced jewelry. Dare we call it best bling?

Alison Novak