Our Story
“Just as with people, antique jewelry only gets better with age. Every experience leaves a mark, evidence of a life well-lived, a character totally unique and irreplaceable.”
Historically, the deity in sculpted form was the focus of humans’ worship of the divine. No wonder then, that ancient cultures everywhere adorned their idols with the most precious of gems, for gemstones have always exerted a sort of mystical pull in the human psyche. And it is also no accident that jewelry has long cherished the principle of anonymous creation, with countless unknown jewelers toiling to best display the wonders of nature for the pleasure of gods and royalty.
We hope to reconnect you with the history of mankind's fascination with gemstones, as well as with past ideals of beauty and the craftsmanship that developed to express them. All of our pieces are chosen with an understanding of history and of good design and craftsmanship, and a firm belief that good design of any era is just as relevant today as it was in its own day. Its associations have only expanded and deepened. We also choose our pieces with a belief that the wear and imperfections of time are all part of the deeper meanings of antique and vintage pieces. Each slightly mismatched stone or artfully worn enamel tells a story and adds a layer of uniqueness that simply cannot be found in a new piece of jewelry. In these pieces, the past comes to life.
But the kind of pieces we love the most are the ones whose creators' awe at the natural beauty of gemstones clearly shines through even centuries later to mirror our own, the kind of pieces whose creators have tried to pay homage to natural beauty rather than make it conform to an unnatural ideal. To us these pieces are rare and timeless.
Besides our aesthetic convictions, we believe the climate crisis is real, and that humankind stands at an inflection point in terms of planetary survival. For this reason, ensuring that markets become oriented less around production and more around sustainability and re-investing in pre-loved treasures is critical. The Idol’s Eye aims for maximum environmental sustainability, from the items we procure to the tools we use and the shipping methods we select. We do the sustainability hard work for you s
o all you have to do is choose the pieces that speak to you, and wear them or gift them with love!
Our founder Tara has an Art History degree from Columbia University and a degree in Fashion Design from Parsons School of Design. She is a scholar, a designer, and a skilled maker of things. Her love of antique jewelry is a natural culmination of her love for art history, fashion, and the design process from concept to execution. Over the years she's acquired an extensive knowledge of antique jewelry periods and values, gemstones and minerals, and historical jewelry-making techniques, and she's thrilled to share her knowledge and passions with others through her shop. Her deep knowledge of design history and period jewelry-making techniques ensures authenticity, as does our rigorous testing of all metals and gemstones.