About Us

The Nugget was founded by Mary Ehlers in 1974.  She was one of the first jewelry artists in the Torpedo Factory Art Center, which was the City of Alexandria's Bicentennial Project in that year.  In August of 1977, Mary moved her business to its current location at 123 S. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA.  

Mary is a goldsmith and a platinum smith, and features her own custom design work, as well as the work of several other jewelry designers in 14K, 18K, and platinum.  We specialize in custom jewelery and engagement rings, but also collect unique and vintage jewelry for resale.

Mary Ehlers was the custom design jeweler featured in National Geographic's Book entitled, 'How Things Are Made', in 1984; was an award winning designer in the American Gem Trade Association's Spectrum Contest; has been commissioned to create several presentation gifts, among them 50 pins, presented to the 50 Governor's wives when George Allen was the Governor of VA; a pin presented to Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State, which is currently touring major museums across the country; and pins for the first two male citizen astronauts presented to them by Buzz Aldren at a Space Conference in 2007.  In 2010, Mary designed a pin and a tie-tac for the 40th Anniversary of the American Art Therapy Association, which promotes using art as a healing therapy in treating post-traumatic stress disorder.  The Nugget has also been selected by the Washingtonian Wedding Guide for engagement ring and wedding band jewelry.

The Nugget has relied on the many referrals received from satisfied customers over the past 37 years. In fact, The Nugget is now creating engagement rings for the children of the couples that we made rings for years ago.  It has been an incredibly exciting thing to see!

In addition to the custom design work, there are many jewelry items ready for selection and purchase in the showcases.  A great selection of jewelry and set and unset precious and semi-precious gemstones await you at The Nugget.