About Gail Kowalski

A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Gail vacationed on the Outer Banks, North Carolina throughout her childhood. “Ever since those vacations,” she says, “I have felt a tremendous need to be near the ocean. The powerful energy of the sea provides me with the creative force for my jewelry design.”

After obtaining an art scholarship to Sienna Heights College in Adrian, Michigan and graduating Magna Cum Laude with a BFA in 1977, Gail relocated to the Outer Banks and began her career at R&R Jewelers in Nags Head, North Carolina as a designer and goldsmith.

Two years later the awards began. In 1979 and in 1980 she won the Johnson Matthey Platinum Award for excellence in platinum design. In 1982 Gail opened her own design studio on Gallery Row in Nags Head and in 1985 earned the prestigious DeBeers Diamonds Today award for excellence and originality in diamond jewelry design.     

Jewelry by Gail moved into an expanded studio and showroom in the spring of 1987. That same year the World Gold Council selected several of Gail’s designs for an international fashion show held in Basel, Switzerland, and in 1990 Gail received special honor as a finalist in the 1990 Diamonds International competition.

Gail’s work is frequently showcased by Platinum Guild International USA (PGI-USA). Every year since 2004 Jewelry by Gail designs have been featured in platinum jewelry suites for the Hollywood fashion press and for celebrities and their stylists in conjunction with the Emmys, Golden Globes and/or Academy Awards celebrations.

At the PGI-USA Red Carpet Jewelry Preview for the 2006 78th Academy Awards Desperate Housewives star Nicollette Sheridan left with Gail’s signature bow pendant hand-wrought in platinum and set with a fine Burmese ruby. Coincidentally the bow pendant is one for which Gail was awarded one of her two Johnson Matthey Platinum Awards.

At the 2008 Emmy Awards TV Guide Network's Nikki Boyer held up a muti-diamond Luxe Design ring and exclaimed "...and this (long sigh) is Jewelry by Gail. Gail, call me. We've got to talk!"

10 - 5, Monday - Saturday • 207 E. Driftwood on Gallery Row • MP 10 1/4 • Nags Head, NC 27959 • 1-800-272-9817 • 1-252-441-5387

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