Now that the holiday season is upon us, there is no better time to think about giving that special someone in your life a personalized gift. Gemvara, Inc. has created a unique site that offers more than 1,500 designs to choose from where you can also customize your own pieces to make the jewelry more personal. From a mother’s ring to a beautiful pendant, there is something for everyone on your holiday list here.

Each of the designs takes two to three weeks to create because they are all customizable and all of the products are made in the United States. Corinne Grousbeck, wife of Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck, has recently joined the Gemvara team as vice president of brand marketing.

How did she become involved in Gemvara.com?

For the past 20 years, Corinne has been extremely active in the non-profit community, working as a consultant to organizations like Perkins School for the Blind, Children’s Hospital Boston Children’s Hospital Trust Fund, and the Isabella Stewart Gardener Museum and single-handedly raising millions of dollars for charities’ awareness. She has always had a passion for jewelry and fashion and wanted to find a new way to challenge herself. She put feelers out to her friends and contacts to see what type of opportunities were out there and was soon introduced to founder and CEO of Gemvara.com, Matt Lauzon. In July, 2011 she assumed the role as an advisor to Matt and soon after was named vice president, brand marketing.

What was the inspiration behind the Naked Gems collection she created?

Corinne wanted to create a collection of statement-making, eye-catching jewelry that would still be very individualized to its wearer. Like all Gemvara jewelry, the Naked Gems Collection allows the shopper to customize the design with their favorite gems and metals to create a truly unique, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry. With options like London Blue Topaz or Lemon Quartz, the rings, pendants and earrings in this collection focus on the brilliance of the stones. They have secured high-quality gems that are very rich in color so that when the piece is on your finger or around your neck, the color is striking. The pieces are at a low enough price point (starting around $250) that women don’t have to feel guilty about ordering the same ring in multiple colors to match different outfits. They continuously see customers buying different colored pendants in each of their children’s birthstones as a way to honor them. Men often purchase three pieces of jewelry, all in the same gemstone color because they know it’s 'her' favorite. They’re hoping to make fashionable jewelry as meaningful and personal as someone’s engagement ring or wedding band.

What are some of the best sellers from the Naked Gems collection?

Gemstone jewelry is so popular right now that everything in the Naked Gems Collection is selling well. Blue Topaz is one of the most popular gemstones (it has consistently been the number one selling gemstone) and they had the Naked Cushion Petite Bezel Pendant rise to the number thirteen spot this month. Another popular piece is the Naked Pave Pendant because it’s so easy to layer with other necklaces or buy in a few different colors to wear separately or all at once. The response to the new collection has been phenomenal!