Home shopping for the holidays
by Chelsea Sektnan
Medawar Fine Jewelers: three generations of family jewelers
Medawar Fine Jewelers has been a Palos Verdes cornerstone for over 40 years. This year, the Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce will honor owner Robert Medawar as the Palos Verdes Citizen of the Year.
“We are a third-generation jewelry family — this didn’t happen overnight,” Medawar said. “My grandfather started in the old country in the early ’20s. I’ve carried the baton all these years. We’ve been on the Hill since 1979.”
Medawar’s connection to Palos Verdes began when the 18-year-old Medawar and his family visited here in 1975 from their native Lebanon, bringing a legacy of horology and gemology with them. In 1979, the family opened Medawar Fine Jewelers. Robert studied at horological and gemological institutions in Switzerland and the United States.
“We’re not your typical jewelry store,” he said. “We pride ourselves on finding one-of-a-kind pieces, from $50 silver items to half-million-dollar canary diamonds. Most mall jewelers buy from the same sources. We source directly from Italy, Germany, and Switzerland.”
In addition to rare and custom jewelry, Medawar offers a selection of fine timepieces, like Patek Phillppe, and vintage Rolexes and Omegas, as well as affordable timepieces.
“I graduated as a master horologist in Switzerland. We carry a collection that ranges from durable, affordable Seikos to high-end, collectible timepieces,” he said.
Recently, Medawar has observed a renewed interest in yellow gold and colored stones, especially among the younger generations.
“The trends this season show people are more inclined to buy yellow gold and colored stones instead of platinum, white gold, and diamonds.”
His role as a business owner goes hand in hand with his commitment to the Palos Verdes. He has served for 37 years as a reserve police officer. He also served two consecutive terms as chairperson of the Palos Verdes Chamber of Commerce, and currently serves on the Planning Commission, and acts as a liaison for the police department with the DEA.
“I give back to my community, not for recognition but because this is home,” he said. “Whether it’s going out on patrol, investigating home burglaries, or supporting local nonprofits, I do it with love and a giving spirit.”
Medawar emphasizes the importance of small businesses to the fabric of American communities.
“This country was built on small enterprises, on mama-and-papa shops,” he said. “As big-box stores scale down, we see communities relying on and supporting small businesses like ours. I want to carry this forward for the next generation.”
“We came from a war-torn country to a place that allowed us to assimilate, educate ourselves, and establish a business from scratch,” he said. “When you walk into our multi-million-dollar store, it’s the American dream, and I’m grateful for that.”
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Toujours Jewelers: a Peninsula institution transformed
Elie Massoud was the manager of a highly regarded Peninsula jewelry store for two decades before purchasing it a year ago and transforming it into what he says “looks like the Bellagio.
The new, modern aesthetic features Italian furniture, including distinctive Edra chairs shaped like molten gold, one a bold, red, rose, and another adorned with gold chainmail.
Manager and GIA gemologist Abbe Karges, who has been with the store for 11 years, said since the store reopened in October, “It’s a new experience in an old location.”
Toujours Jewelers offers a range of exquisite pieces, from hard-to-find Rolex watches to custom jewelry from top designers, including Pasquale Bruni and Roberto Coin.
“We’re continuing to service the community where we’ve been for 22 years,” Massoud said. “I’m excited to continue the commitment to serving the community’s needs, especially with custom jewelry design and watch repair.”
Toujours Jewelers offers items ranging from $200 to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Each piece, from brilliant gemstones to the uniquely understated diamond slices by David Harris, is carefully selected for quality and exclusivity.
“I’ve been in the business for many years. I’ve seen a lot of jewelry, but the custom and private label pieces we’re bringing in are truly top-quality. The diamonds are better than what Tiffany’s uses in most cases,” Karges said.
Massoud takes pride in his role as both a designer and jeweler.
“I get a big satisfaction when I make a piece that makes the customer proud and happy.”
Toujours Jewelers caters to high-end watch collectors, offering both pre-owned and Rolexes that are nearly impossible to find elsewhere, including highly sought-after models like the Daytona and mint-green Sky-Dweller.
“We have relationships,” Karges said. “You can’t even get these watches from Rolex directly, but we have them here.”
“The secret to success in this business is trust, excellent service, honesty, and quality,” Massoud said. “That’s what you can continue to expect here.”
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Corners of the World: every corner a new discovery
Corners of the World has been a beloved Malaga Cove gift shop for over 30 years. It was founded by Jürgen Käding, who curated unique treasures from around the globe until last year when he retired, and Laurie Giffin assumed ownership.
Giffin, an interior designer, has infused her distinct style into this Palos Verdes landmark, brightening and transforming the space while curating a fresh selection of gifts, many local. She and her two assistants have been busy recently transforming their shop into a winter wonderland.
“The community has been incredibly gracious and supportive,” Giffin said. “People come in every day and say, ‘Congratulations, we’re so happy you’re here, so happy the store’s continuing.’”
One of Giffin’s biggest changes is opening the upstairs loft space, which had previously been off-limits to customers. Now, the once-unused staircase at the back of the shop beckons guests upward, where a magical winter wonderland awaits.
“The whole thing is new,” she said of the upstairs loft, adding that the shop has only been reopened for two months. “But Christmas, of course, is huge – everybody looks forward to Christmas here.”
Giffin has made space for all ages to join in the holiday fun. She dedicated an entire room to children’s gifts, adding displays with unique toys and games that kids can play with. It’s become a favorite stop for families.
Giffin grew up in Delaware. For the past 15 years, she has lived in the Valmonte neighborhood, just minutes away from her shop, the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.
“Now that I’m getting older, I wanted my own place,” she said, reflecting on her background in interior design and retail. “I wanted to work, I didn’t want to sit still… Like everybody who’s lived here, I shopped here myself and always liked the store.”
Renovating the shop and adding her personal touches has been a rewarding challenge.
“People like the fact that it is like a treasure hunt,” she said. “They enjoy coming in, spending time walking from display to display, and searching for that special something.”
This holiday season, Giffin has stocked the shop with everything from modern table settings and unique home decor to Palos Verdes-inspired gifts, blending her fresh style with the shop’s cherished character. As locals browse through the store, from the magical upstairs loft to the kids’ section, they’ll find hidden gems for all ages in this charming corner of Malaga Cove Plaza.
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Ruby Gray: Peninsula sisters create locally inspired fashions
For many years, sisters Melissa Nelson, 46, and Christina Anel-Ruth, 39, were “ghost designers” for well-known brands such as Guess, Marciano, and bebe. They would see their creations in stores and on people, but under someone else’s label. Now, with Ruby Gray — named after their children — the sisters are finally seeing their designs on the shelves with their own names attached.
“For so long, we were just the ghosts,” Nelson said. “We’d go to the stores to see all of our designs, but it would be under the bebe or Guess name, and now we have our own — Ruby Gray. It gives us more of a sense of satisfaction.”
The sisters’ journey to launching Ruby Gray began four years ago after years of designing private-label collections for major brands. The Palos Verdes brand is inspired by their Southern California roots.
“We want it to have a beachy vibe because we live by the coast and draw inspiration from that,” Nelson said.
Ruby Gray’s full line can be found in Nordstrom, including jewelry, fedoras, and convertible cover-ups designed to go from day to night. Anel-Ruth’s favorite piece for a holiday gift is their transitional necklaces.
“It’s essentially three looks in one,” Anel-Ruth said. “You can layer them for a statement or wear just one for a more delicate touch.”
Nelson likes their colorful fedoras and versatile cover-ups, which can be layered over warmer pieces for year-round use.
During the pandemic, the sisters created fashionable face masks.
“Our buyers were asking for something functional yet stylish,” Nelson said. “So, we used our components and made really pretty-looking masks. We even bejeweled some to give them a little extra flair.”
After the world reopened, Ruby Gray returned to its roots, focusing once more on jewelry and wearable fashion. Working together has its challenges, but the sisters wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I love working with my sister,” Nelson said. “We balance each other out. I love bright, colorful boho things — my sister likes more reserved, tailored clothing. The two minds together are a happy medium.”
“We’re the closest sisters and friends. We fight, but we make up in a second. We are lucky enough to be able to do this and still have the freedom to be there for our kids. It’s the best of both worlds” Nelson said.
With Ruby Gray, Nelson and Anel-Ruth have built a brand that reflects their commitment to quality, sustainable fashion, and a deep connection to their local community.
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Roger’s Gardens: destination holiday boutique
Roger’s Gardens in Corona Del Mar has been a holiday shopping destination for over 50 years. Their Christmas Boutique is a treasure trove of unique holiday decor, handcrafted ornaments, and global finds that make holiday shopping feel like a whimsical adventure.
“Every item, from German-made nutcrackers to hand-blown glass ornaments, has been carefully chosen to bring a special touch to people’s holiday celebrations,” said Nava Rezvan, Rogers’s Gardens Director of Marketing.
There’s a festive mini-train that’s a hit with the kids and 28 themed Christmas trees, each with a unique look. One favorite has coastal-inspired decorations, featuring seashells and starfish for beach-loving Southern Californians.
“Our design team creates these displays to inspire shoppers and show them how to style their trees and holiday tables,” Rezvan said.
The Farmhouse at Roger’s Gardens serves up seasonal dishes for those who want to grab a bite between exploring.
“Generations come to shop here — moms, grandmothers, families — it’s just such a magical place to walk through, get inspired, and find those one-of-a-kind pieces you can’t find anywhere else,” Rezvan said. Pen
