Nawbin Jewelry & Curiosities of Traverse City, Mi

Name: Nawbin Jewelry & Curiosities of Traverse City, Mi
Address: 925 E Front Street, Traverse City, MI, 49686, US
Telephone: +12319329514
Price range: $

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Traverse City, MI
Nawbin Jewelry & Curiosities of Traverse City, Mi

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a shop of creativity from the staff to the jewelry and artifacts we carry. The knowledge staff have decades of experience each. In 1991 Nawbin opened.

In 1971 Tom and Julie Bielman left the college culture of Ann Arbor. Tom with a degree in Electrical Engineering, and Julie with her Bachelors in Art Education. Moving to the wilds of Michigan's Upper Peninsula, they owned and operated an Antique and Art gallery. With the arrival of their son Karl and daughter Kathryn, they were compelled to move to a more stable area to raise them. They ended their journey at the Grand Traverse Region. In the Mid 1980's the families interest for the history of bead trade grew. By 1990 they had filled a small room in their house with beads and other historical artifacts. A shop to fuel their needs for craft and rock supplies. As well as a showplace for the great items they have made and found. Nawbin : to look, to see, to become one with what you are gazing at. local Native American word

(A word that described how Tom felt about this obsession of the family's. As hard as they tried to down play it, they were hooked.) Nawbin started in a 200sqft, turn of the century livery stable, and has grown in to a 2200sqft all encompassing storefront, classroom, bead Museum, and website. The best part about us is we never stop changing the beads or even the objects we carry. In the start we had native pottery, beads, and local jewelry. and now we have ethnic artifacts from all over the world, more beads then any one shop should, jewelry from far and wide to inhouse designs of silver set local stones, Michigan stones are also made by the shop into strands of beads. Plus every kind of bit and piece to make your own wearable art can be found with in our walls. Nawbin is always trying to be a better place to visit, shop, and explore at your leisure. Or just come in and look around, that is what it means and is all about.

10/26/2026

A little calming Autumn activity before the chill comes in.
🍁

10/24/2026

Black Tourmaline or Labadorite

10/23/2026

Nawbin by Night…

10/22/2026

With the water getting colder you can still reach in with these amazing scoops. Restocking is currently underway. All colors available while in stock.

10/20/2026

The selected region shows a small, radiating cluster of translucent quartz crystals with reddish-brown or purplish inclusions, resembling a hematite-included quartz or red/purple phantom quartz cluster.

10/19/2026

Found something in the workshop sweepings today.
About the size of Lincoln on a penny.
UV-glowing green opal from Mexico is primarily hyalite opal (a clear, botryoidal variety of opal) found notably in Zacatecas and Guanajuato (San Felipe).

10/17/2026

(Ammonite) Ganesha is one of the most widely revered deities in Hinduism. Here are five key facts about him:
• Remover of Obstacles: Ganesha is famously known as Vighneshvara or the remover of obstacles. It is customary to invoke his blessings and worship him first before starting any new venture, business, journey, or ritual to ensure success.
• The Elephant Head Origin: According to Hindu mythology, he was created by the goddess Parvati from sandalwood or body paste. After an incident where Shiva accidentally severed his human head, Shiva replaced it with the head of an elephant.
• Scribe of the Mahabharata: Ganesha transcribed the epic poem the Mahabharata as the sage Vyasa dictated it to him. When his pen broke, he famously snapped off one of his own tusks to continue writing without interruption.
• The Mouse Mount (Mushaka): Ganesha travels on a tiny mouse or shrew. In symbolism, the mouse represents a restless, wandering mind and the ability to chew through the ropes of ignorance.
• Ganesh Chaturthi Festival: He is celebrated annually during a major 10-day festival called Ganesh Chaturthi, which culminates in the Visarjan—the ceremonial immersion of his clay idols into rivers or the sea.

10/13/2026

It’s taken me the better part of a decades to get this together. A reproduction of a Viking Festoon (half necklace).
Made of handmade glass beads. Each worked over an open torch.
Plus eight antique Baltic Amber handcut beads.
This Amber is unique because it changes midbead from clear honey to an opaque tone.

10/10/2026

Let’s have a conversation about shop hours.
I’ve been here seven days a week for the past 115 days except 4. Three to take my son to university and one for a wedding.
(I believe I’m taking tomorrow off. -Sunday October 11th)

The sign says 12-5 but I’m here often here 11-6.
I would like to take a day off or two a week joining forward.
But with the amount of people that stop in and
say “ Your shop is never open.”
I wanna know what hours would you like to see going forward ?

A little information:
Usually
Wednesdays are the slowest
Mondays are normally the busiest.
-I open to all suggestions

10/09/2026

I’ve just unearthed dozens of new Sterling with gemstone rings. (Sizes 4-10)

Address

925 E Front Street
Traverse City, MI
49686

Telephone

+12319329514

Website

http://www.nawbin.com/

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