Thomas Michaels Designers in Camden

Thomas Michael Designers in Camden isn’t your typical jewelry shop. Owned and operated by Thomas and Nora Michaels, the gallery is a culmination of decades of design work, international acclaim, and quiet innovation. The couple moved to Maine in 1984 and quickly transitioned from running a wholesale manufacturing business to opening their first gallery on Bayview Landing in 1998. Their current space opened in 2009 and has since become a destination for both serious collectors and curious visitors.

Before settling in Camden, Thomas and Nora sold their designs through some of the finest jewelry stores in the country, including Tiffany and Hamilton Jewelers, and exhibited at international trade shows. The transition to retail allowed them to engage more directly with clients, many of whom now seek them out for their ability to revitalize heirloom pieces or source extraordinary stones. "We can find some extremely unusual gems," Thomas explains. "Some of the stones I showed you today are world-class."

The couple is known for a level of technical and aesthetic expertise that goes beyond what most shoppers expect. Nora, a trained painter and graduate gemologist, brings a colorist's eye and scientific rigor to every piece. Thomas, a third-generation designer, has coined terms and pioneered techniques now standard in the jewelry industry. Together, they’ve created trendsetting collections like the Origami Series and the Celestial Collection, which introduced what is now known industry-wide as "flush-set" diamonds.

Though the business has an international reputation, its atmosphere is anything but intimidating. "We’re friendly," Thomas says. "People feel comfortable here. We help them make informed decisions, whether they’re buying a diamond or redesigning a family treasure."

FAMOUS FOR:
Thomas Michael Designs is known for pioneering jewelry techniques adopted industry-wide, particularly their Origami Series and Celestial Collection. They’re also renowned for diamond brokering, having sold one of the largest yellow diamonds in North America.

ADDRESS:
11 Elm St in Camden, ME

WEBSITE:
thomasmichaels.com

photos by Peter Logue