Behind every Outer Banks business are people doing their best to make a living while still finding time to enjoy this beautiful place they call home. In this edition of Get to Know the Locals, you’ll meet one of them: Gail Kowalski of Jewelry by Gail in Nags Head.
Gail grew up Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and went to Siena Heights College in Adrian, Michigan, to study jewelry making. That’s where she developed her distinctive style of balanced asymmetry. In 1977, she borrowed $1,500 from her grandmother and set up a studio/shop in Nags Head.
In the early years, she couldn’t afford gold, so she designed in silver. But as her designs garnered a following, she moved into creating with finer metals and materials, such as colorless and natural-color diamonds, luminous pearls, gemstones and exotic minerals set in gold, platinum and Argentium silver. In 1987 she upgraded her location to her current showrooms and studio on Driftwood Street in Nags Head. Along the way, she won the Johnson Matthey Platinum Award and the De Beers Diamonds Today Award.
Gail is known for crafting pieces to display every individual’s sense of style. Customers who work with Gail will often describe their vision of a product, and she brings it to life using her artistic flair for a stunning final result.
“Each piece of jewelry is special and incomplete until the right person is wearing it,” she says.
Gail’s designs have garnered a loyal following of locals and returning visitors and even have made their way to a grander stage of Hollywood celebrities. In her showroom you can see photos of who has worn her designs to awards ceremonies like the Emmys and Academy Awards.
Jewelry By Gail also features the work of other designers and has established a reputation for expert repair work and insurance appraisals so that customers can take proper care of their valuables.
In business for 45 years, Jewelry By Gail is one of the most established businesses on the Outer Banks for a reason. Once you visit, you’ll understand why.
Q&A with Gail Kowalski
How long have you lived on the Outer Banks and how did you end up here?
I’ve been here for 45 years this year! The Outer Banks was a summer vacation destination of my family’s when I was young, and in the ninth grade I decided this is where I wanted to be.
What did you do before you were in this business?
I worked at Kaufmann’s department store In North Hills in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
What motivates you to work hard in your line of work?
Food!
What’s your favorite OBX town or village?
Ocracoke
What is your favorite thing about living on the Outer Banks?
The beach and the people here, my friends.
What is your favorite season on the Outer Banks?
Fall
What do you do for fun?
I regularly attend a game night and potluck dinner with my friends.
What’s your favorite beach access?
Coquina Beach
Describe your perfect day off.
A nap with my cats and a walk on the beach!
Do you see more sunrises or sunsets?
Sunsets
What’s one thing you wish more Outer Banks visitors knew?
How extraordinary our jewelry is!
Where do you go on vacation?
The mountains in Pennsylvania and Switzerland.
For a celebratory dinner, would you rather order take-out, go out to eat or cook something at home?
Go out to eat, for sure.
What is your favorite local seafood?
I love all of it!
What’s your favorite thing about your job?
I get to create.
What’s the most challenging part of your job?
Making sure that every piece of custom jewelry that I create comes out to suit the recipient perfectly.
How did the pandemic affect your business?
It was challenging, but we made our way through it by making the best lemonade out of the lemons!
Photo: The chandelier in the Jewelry By Gail showroom is a sight to behold. Designed by Gail and created by a stained-glass artist, the one-of-a-kind amethyst creation weighs about 500 pounds.
Do you have any side hustles?
We try to provide year-round rentals for renters.
Do you have any pet projects or is there a local nonprofit that you’re passionate about?
I try to support as many wonderful causes as I can.
What’s one item on your bucket list?
Staying Alive, Staying Alive, Staying ALLIIIIIIIIVE!! Oh, and travel.
Jewelry By Gail is at 207 E. Driftwood Street in Nags Head, (252) 441-5387. It's open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
About the Author Molly Harrison
Molly Harrison is managing editor at OneBoat, publisher of OuterBanksThisWeek.com. She moved to Nags Head in 1994 and since then has made her living writing articles and creating publications about the people, places and culture of the Outer Banks.
