Low-key is high fashion today, according to Richard and Gail Ross, owners of St. Armands Circle icon Tilden Ross Jewelers. And they should know: Richard is a third-generation jeweler, and Gail a fine arts major. The combination is unbeatable when it comes to interpreting trends and ferreting out rising star designers.

“Gail and I go out looking for jewelry we love. Usually that means innovative and exclusive pieces, often by American artists like Annie Fensterstock, Charles Krypell and Todd Reed. There’s a new cachet to buying American,” Richard explains.

“People are still liking multicolored raw uncut diamonds—and diamond slices,” says Gail. “They want jewelry that’s easy to wear and goes from formal to jeans. Since the recession, no one is looking for a one-event piece. Less is more.”

Tilden Ross Jewelers

410 St. Armands Circle, SaraSota, (941) 388-3338

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What’s hot now? “The big look now is opaque sapphires, in gray, yellow or pink—any color but blue,” says Richard. Cuff bracelet by Crivelli (shown) typifies the trend with three large opaque pink sapphires (13.54 carats), six transparent sapphires (1.02 carats), and white diamonds (.90 carats) set in 18K rose gold (price on request).

What’s in your jewelry box? “Two of my favorite rings: a large oval black onyx and diamond ring, and a Sakamoto engagement mount set with a three-carat diamond that was Richard’s mother’s. It meant a lot to Richard to keep it in the family,” explains Gail.

Can’t live without “my Alex Sepkus wedding band,” says Gail. “It’s hand-tooled 18K yellow gold with white diamonds, and so finely detailed it can’t be copied.”

This article appears in the June 2012 issue of Sarasota Magazine.

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