With an eye on “what’s next,” Aubrey Ballard’s style is bold, fashion-forward, feminine, and edgy, with a focus on combining wallet-friendly pieces with investment-worthy staples.

She opens the front door with a gentle smile and the kind of warmth that instantly makes you feel like this isn’t the first time you’ve met her. Aubrey Ballard, owner and creator of the online jewelry shop The Dandy Stone, is dressed in a multicolored striped top, lathered with layers of gold necklaces and vibrant gems, and paired with a tie-dye print workout legging. Her fingers are frosted with jewels and antique rings - a testament to the eclectic yet dainty style of her shop’s handpicked jewels.

“To me, style is an art form,” she says, “Styling a look, whether with clothing or accessories, is no different to me than painting, singing or dancing - it takes a trained but instinctual eye, and the possibilities are endless.”

The Dandy Stone, which is an extension of her brand and fashion blog, The Dandy Liar, has been in the making for more than 25 years. “My mom used to drag me to gem and jewelry shows when I was little,” she says, “But I was quickly bit by the jewelry bug, and I’ve been collecting accessories ever since I can remember.”

From freshwater pearl necklaces to true gold huggie hoops, styles range anywhere from Victorian era to modern-day estate finds. “One of my favorite pieces I have is a Victorian glass mourning locket from the late 1890s,” says Ballard, “Victorians were serious about memorializing their loved ones, and a locket like this was intended to hold a lock of hair, or perhaps even a tooth, from a deceased family member or friend. Now, it would make the perfect way to store a photo or pressed flower, or even to be worn empty, as-is.”

As history continues to live through the accessories, Ballard looks to offer something vividly unique for each of her clients. “My customer knows when she sees a good piece of jewelry,” she says, “She enjoys collecting meaningful pieces that she can wear for years to come. She loves to layer, pays attention to details, and enjoys mixing metals, colors and patterns. But most of all, she knows what she wants and she’s confident in her own skin.” 

As Ballard builds her gem-hunting clientele, she hopes to seek out more repeat customers for the upcoming year. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have so many repeat customers - I’m very grateful for that,” she says, “Expanding beyond my customer base is definitely a goal of mine heading into 2020.” 

For shop inquiry, visit The Dandy Stone’s Instagram @thedandystone. Local pickup and worldwide shipping are available. Ten percent of sales help the needy.

photos by Joanna Baab