Maritime Museum Report Trends in Jewelry and Nautical Gifts

By Karen Appold

They say that there’s much treasure to be found under the sea, including gold and silver. After touring a historic ship or museum dedicated to naval history, guests are often drawn to the gift shop to find their own treasures. So what glimmering treasures are all the rage at maritime museum shops these days?

In the jewelry category, Maureen Wolf , museum store buyer and manager at The Custom House Maritime Museum in Newburyport, Mass., said sterling silver earrings and necklaces by Lita Seaglass Jewelry made with real sea glass from beaches in New England, across the United States, and internationally, fly off the shelves. “Customers love that they are locally made in New Bedford and are intrigued when they learn that many other shops sell manmade sea glass that is not naturally found,” she said. These items sell in the $35 to $70 price range, which is a sweet spot for visitors looking for gifts.

White cotton sailor knot bracelets from Moby Dick Specialties in Fairhaven, Mass., are also a hit. “We buy them in bulk and they’re very popular with kids and teens,” Wolf said. These inexpensive mementos are a classic gift that reflect shipbuilding and maritime history.

Guests are also drawn to whimsical and classic earrings on beautiful cards by Semaki and Bird in Eastford, Conn., Wolf said. Best-sellers are sterling silver and 14k gold vermeil nautical and sea life earrings.

Kali Ellis , gift shop manager at Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum in Galveston, Texas, has also found that shoppers are attracted to earrings made with sea glass from the ocean. Sea Star Earrings by Del Mundo fit this bill. Each pair is unique.

The VivaLife Be Kind to All Kinds bracelets

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