Florida native, Laurel Baker, is the bench jeweler and shop owner of Anchor Boutique, located at 77 San Marco Ave. in St Augustine, Florida. Laurel’s work includes custom pieces, redesigns, repairs, and refurbishments. The studio has been featured in Southern Living, Southern Bride, and Northeast Florida Folio Magazine. Anchor Boutique has resided in uptown for sixteen years, where it’s become an established part of the community. Laurel’s interest in jewelry began with her father, who taught her stone cutting and metal smithing. 

 

Laurel’s dad, John Baker, was a Florida boy who, after serving in Vietnam, became enamored by travel and adventure. He began treasure hunting around Florida which led him to expeditions in South America and Costa Rica. John unearthed various sorts of statues and treasures while cave diving and became published in books you can find at the shop!

 

John Baker studied the craft of jewelry during time spent in Mexico, and collected gemstones from mines in South America, a region known for its vibrant gems. In line with his “rockhound” tendencies, Laurel’s father began cutting Florida Agitated Coral. Also known as Sunshine Stone, Florida’s state stone became common yard decor in the Baker household. 

 

Laurel grew up in a gemstone stone world, watching her father work with stones and accompanying him to rock shows. After earning a B.F.A. in Fine Art Photography from the University of Florida and touring the country with her bluegrass band, Laurel returned to her roots and continued studying jewelry craft from her father. 

 

Settling down in St. Augustine allowed her to open her own jewelry studio, Anchor Boutique, in 2010. Here, she has incorporated lessons and unique stone collections from her father to create her own craft and legacy. Laurel’s work has maintained a spirit of adventure while diving further into fine custom jewelry, including custom engagement designs rings and redesigns of heirloom pieces. 

 

Designing her sister’s engagement ring propelled Laurel’s love of creating custom pieces. “I feel like it’s in my blood”, says Laurel. She has a passion for facilitating freedom of design, for helping customers create their dream rings.

 

Laurel understands jewelry to hold both sentiment and beauty… Jewelry holding aesthetic value: how light passes through it or bounces from it, depth of color, line and form. Jewelry holding memory: where we found it, who it was given to us by, the time and histories it signifies. One of Laurel’s most coveted pieces, a turquoise cuff, was given to her by her father one Christmas. Driven by her technical and familial background, Laurel cares deeply for her customer’s stories and as such provides high quality service. 

 

Today at Anchor, you can find Florida Agitized Coral, unique gemstones, and an experienced bench jeweler excited to be a part of your adventure.