“Sheila's out shopping: Custom-designed jewelry is a family business”

Sheila's out shopping: Custom-designed jewelry is a family business

Posted: 04 Feb 2011 03:14 PM PST

Matthew Skis, a master jeweler, creates unique and one-of-a-kind designs in his Naples store, but learned his craft in his native Poland and at two famous jewelry stores in New York City.

Skis emigrated to the United States from Poland in December 1980 with his wife, Teresa, and his two sons, Gregory and Martin. Today all four members of the family are involved in the process of creating custom or original designs and repairs on all types of jewelry at their store, Mattis Inc., in the Park Shore Center at 3627 U.S. 41 N., Naples. He offered a chance for a photographic look at his creative process, which can take from four to six weeks.

As soon as Skis arrived in New York City he secured a job working on intricate pieces for Harry Winston. His talent and dedication had him assigned to custom designs for Elizabeth Taylor, Nancy Reagan and Princess Diana.

"We created a diamond necklace for former first lady Nancy Reagan and one for Princess Diana, and a diamond and sapphire necklace for Liz Taylor," Skis recalled.

He then went on to work in Tiffany's main store on Fifth Avenue in New York. He liked working at Harry Winston, he said, but was offered more money a few blocks away and left to be part of the famous turquoise-box emporium.

"I left Harry Winston in 1982 to work on prototypes with Jean Schlumberger at Tiffany's. In 1984 I left Tiffany to start my own business but still worked for them as an outside vendor," Skis recalled.

Visiting friends in Naples during a vacation convinced the Skis family to come to paradise permanently in 2005 — the weather, the stores and the people made it enticing to relocate to a more laid-back and easygoing life style.

"I enjoy producing something from scratch and seeing the beauty of the finished piece and, of course, watching the expression of joy on the customer's face when they see the end result," Skis said.

Skis said the prices for creating pieces are set according to the size of stones and the type of gold being used.

"When someone comes into my shop and wants a custom piece I listen to them and create different renderings. When they are satisfied with the design we make a wax carving, then a metal casting and set the stones.

"At the end of the process we polish and present the finished piece, to the delight of the buyer."

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