Libby Schmitz
Can you believe that a town that has a healthy amount – dare I say, an overabundance – of ice cream, pizza and sub shops, that until late last year, Bexley had zero fine jewelers?
Libby (L) with her best friend from her first jewelry job in NYC at the launch party
Though you can find beautiful pieces of jewelry at Urban Emporium, Bexley’s Libby Schmitz is returning luxury jewelry to the Bexley scene with the opening of Front Street Jewelers. Libby says that it’s been ten years since the latest local jeweler, Star Jewelers, moved to the Short North.
“I have been obsessed with jewelry since I was eight,” Libby says of her childhood in South Bexley, where she began making friendship bracelets and beaded necklaces. After college, Libby ended up doing what she felt was the next closest thing to jewelry production: PR for a company that Julia Roberts wore to the Oscars and that worked on films. “I have a framed thank you note to me from Meryl Streep hanging in my office that thanks me for my help with the costume department on the film The Devil Wears Prada,” Libby adds.
She loved working with stylists, editors and designers. Eventually, she decided to attend the Gemological Institute of America and got certified to grade diamonds. At a crossroads in her career, she moved back to Columbus from New York.
After five years, Libby felt the pull to start her own business.
“I have deep roots here,” Libby explained about choosing Bexley as her business’s home. “My parents have lived here 50 years. I have so many friends and family friends here, and people are being so supportive of the business. A lot of people who lived in Bexley in the 1980s-1990s remember the private jeweler, Judy Davidson. She was the go-to person for special occasion jewelry - bat mitzvahs, sweet 16s, graduation. When I first told family and friends about my business they all said ‘so you're the new Judy Davidson! You have to be in Bexley!’"
Photo courtesy of Celine Daust
This spring, Libby is launching a Front Street “Essentials” collection that’ll include a refreshed design of one of Judy’s bestselling gifts from the 90s. She’ll also begin beading and friendship bracelet classes for different age groups this summer inspired by her niece, Gigi, who is in first grade at Montrose. “She loves coming to my office after school to draw and look at the jewelry,” Libby explains.
This jewelry hails from all over the world: “Right now I’m working with 12 different designers from New York, L.A., Brussels, Brazil, Paris,” Libby says. “I’m looking for people that are doing things that aren’t common, not mass marketed. Everything is selected with a purpose and made with the best craftsmanship. I don’t want brands to compete with each other or overlap. Each brand has its own brand voice and it’s clear what their aesthetic is.”
Photo courtesy of LionHeart
Right now, she focuses on women’s jewelry ranging from $250 to $3,000. Libby especially loves designs with gemstones that have beautiful color and unique cuts. Her current favorites are tourmalines, morganite and pink sapphires with enamel details. She can accept special orders for men and works closely with designers on custom orders.
Photo courtesy of White Space
Libby loves connecting people with jewelry because “It’s such a personal connection. I can curate options for people specifically for what they’re looking for. I’m also going to do trunk shows. It’s important for people to meet the designers—they have such interesting back stories and inspiration. There’s so much meaning behind jewelry and they are looking for things to pass down. People have been wearing jewelry since the beginning of time and it’s often the one thing left. There are so many stories where jewelry is the one thing people can take with them as they flee. It’s sentimental. There’s so much made now that’s throw-away and it’s such a fast fashion world. Jewelry is slow. Collections don’t come out quickly. It’s stuff that is going to last forever. I value that so much in the world today.”
Front Street Jewelers is located on the second floor above Giuseppe’s and Libby sees clients by appointment, though, she adds, “I don’t mind if people want to call an hour before they come!”
See more on Instagram @FrontStreetJewelers
