From engagements to milestone birthdays and even divorces, jeweler Shannon Jones’ custom designs commemorate an array of new beginnings and landmark moments. But more often than not, she says, her clients come to her in the face of grief.
“Half or more of the projects I work on are people remaking things that were given to them by someone who has passed,” Jones says. “Especially women who have lost their mothers. Some people are precious about it and they don’t want to touch the jewelry, and sometimes it just doesn’t feel like it’s yours until you put your own spin on it.”
Jones is the owner of Maggie Jones Fine Jewelry, a business she named after her beloved grandmother. After several years working for other jewelers, she struck out on her own nearly a decade ago and opened her first brick-and-mortar in October.
In her Westside storefront and studio, Jones is crafting what she likes to call “future heirlooms” that are “modern but rooted in traditional jewelry.” Although she’s skilled at crafting a range of styles, she isn’t known for dainty, subtle designs—maximalist creations are her bread and butter. Scroll her colorful Instagram portfolio (@maggiejonesshop) and you’ll find bold accessories like a whopping sapphire and tourmaline cocktail ring and a chunky paperclip chain necklace with dangling bezel gemstones.
“I want my jewelry to walk in the room for me,” Jones says. “I love metal. I mean, I’m a metalsmith—I like to see it.”
In addition to repairs and custom projects, the full-service studio and event space hosts occasional pop-ups, parties and hands-on workshops and retails a small collection of Jones’ work and pieces by fellow independent jewelers. The Westside shop is only open Friday afternoons and most first weekends of each month, but customers can visit the showroom by appointment—or by chance.
Visit Maggie Jones Fine Jewelry in person (1705 Summit St., KCMO) or book an appointment at maggiejones.shop.
