Local jewelers Anvil + Aura use the natural world to give custom designs life

Customized handmade jewelry store Anvil + Aura in the Hill Country Galleria is owned by two Austin women who have decades of combined experience in designing and creating jewelry.

Co-owner Andrea Moore said their story began in her home studio when her friend, and now business partner, Tiva Rose asked to use Moore’s studio to make custom jewelry. After working alongside each other for a year, the two decided to pursue their craft together.

Rose and Moore worked for months on their business concept, which was centered around producing jewelry made from the casting process. This process is an ancient technique involving hot wax to shape the metal used for items, such as rings or earrings, through melting before pouring into a hollow mold, Moore said.

The pair opened their brick-and-mortar business in the Galleria in May 2020. Rose attributes their success to the quality of their work and the unique way they make the jewelry.“People want to come in and look at our stones, look at what we’re doing and then get inspired by what they see on the tables,” she said.

Custom-made jewelry is too sentimental for people to just shop for online, Moore said.

“People want to feel it, touch it,” she said. “It’s more personal than a pair of shoes.”

Rose and Moore, along with their metalsmith Margaux Silva, are the only full-time employees at the shop, and the team makes all the jewelry on-site. Many of the designs and concepts are inspired by the natural world, Rose said.

“For the most part we want to use organic shapes, like shells, shark teeth and things that came from nature that we both are passionate about,” she said.

At the end of the day, Moore said they were lucky to be able to open at the Galleria.

“From the day we opened our doors, we’ve had great feedback from the public,” she said. “People are really excited we were here and really want to support local artists.”