by Winston Chua
Jewelry designer Anabel Higgins held her first-ever trunk show at Single Stone on Mission Street earlier this month. Guests and friends of the store walked in and out throughout the day to both peruse the new collection and to get a chance to speak with Higgins herself, who started her line during her recovery from breast cancer.
“October is breast cancer awareness month,” Higgins reminded this reporter. “One of my goals, and I know this may sound trite, is to get women to be aware of the need to get mammograms.”
Just two and half years ago her own doctor informed her during a routine mammogram that she had developed cancer. Because the detection was made early on she did not need to have chemotherapy or radiation.
Both she and her late mother had breast cancer. A portion of all the proceeds from Higgins’s sales at Single Stone on Mission Street will go to the Huntington-Hill Breast Center in Pasadena. She has made significant donations in the past to the City of Hope and the Pasadena Cancer Support Community, organizations which advance the cause of breast cancer research.
The Tribune was one of the fortunate guests who got a chance to meet the former lawyer turned jewelry designer to learn more about what inspired her creations.
“There is a purpose behind every piece of jewelry,” she explained. “Characteristics of strength, beauty and their ability to be lasting and empowering are meant to mirror the women who wear them.”
The pieces are also inspired by sporting medals popular in Britain during the first half of the 19th century.
The new collection at Single Stone is made with high craftsmanship out of Los Angeles and includes high-quality 18-karat gold, fine silver and ethically sourced diamonds. Her collection is inspired by the culture and romance of the 19th century Europe, including a vintage cameo that includes rubies and garnets.
Higgins is a true student of her craft, having taken a plethora of classes in art history at UCLA, USC, Pasadena City College and currently at The Huntington.
In the future she may embark on the creation of Victorian love tokens, pieces that have double meaning beyond just the aesthetic value of the work. Some of this is reflected in her jewelry.
She added that the women of earlier generations didn’t have the opportunities that men had, and recalled her remembrance of women not having the chance to attend graduate school. One of her missions is to support women in business.
The former Bruin lived in San Marino for 16 years. Her three children, Holly, Camilla and Alden, all went to Valentine Elementary School. Her mom was Mary Barbara Gibbs who Higgins described as always being very proud of her home town. Her aunt Eleanor Wilson raised her kids in the city as well.
Higgins was a long-serving member of the PTA and chaired two parent parties. She is a Valentine Elementary School Heart of Gold recipient and was a recent president of NCL, Inc. San Marino. She is a member of the Pasadena Guild of Children’s Hospital.
As for the cost? She reminds consumers that the pieces are meant not only for the women of this generation but also the generations to come. There are $900 Camilla necklaces available for purchase as well as $8,000 scout rings made of gold and surrounded by exquisite diamonds.
Each piece is designed to be an heirloom. One of her clients, who stopped in to greet Higgins, will be giving hers to her daughter. The Loyola Law School alumna added that Single Stone has been a great mentor to her, giving her encouragement and coaching in her developmental process.
