Business Details
44 Years
experience
Handcrafted Jewelry with Natural Mississippi River Pearls
Founded in 1982, Mississippi River Pearl Jewelry has established itself as a premier authority in natural American river pearls. Our founder, Nadine Ifrah Leo, has spent over 35 years traveling American rivers collecting rare pearls, amassing one of the world's largest collections. We specialize in crafting exquisite jewelry using these natural gems, collaborating with renowned jewelers and supplying pieces to royal families including the British monarchy.Our designs highlight the unique characteristics of each pearl, combining artistic vision with meticulous craftsmanship. With a legacy rooted in both jewelry artistry and river ecology, we continue to create one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrate America's natural treasures.
Services
Natural Pearl Jewelry
Custom Design Services
Loose Pearl Sales
Nadine Leo Art Collection
Royal Collection Replicas
Details
- Year established: 1982
Highlights and features
- We have collected natural pearls from American rivers for over 40 years
- Our collection includes pearls used by British Royal Family jewelers
- We offer exclusive access to the world's largest Mississippi River Pearl collection
- Our designers hold degrees from Minneapolis College of Art and Design and Arizona State University
- We combine pearl expertise with fine art traditions from New York to Santa Fe
Services
Natural Pearl Jewelry
We create exquisite jewelry using rare natural pearls from American rivers. Each piece showcases unique characteristics of the pearls, available in gold and silver settings. Our collection includes designs worn by British royalty and museum-quality specimens.
Custom Design Services
Our designers craft one-of-a-kind pieces tailored to individual preferences. Using both traditional techniques and modern aesthetics, we transform unique pearls into personalized heirloom-quality jewelry with artistic integrity.
Loose Pearl Sales
We offer an extensive selection of loose natural pearls from the Mississippi River. Available in various colors and shapes, these rare gems include round pearls (1 in 25,000 occurrence) and baroque pearls (1 in 150 occurrence).
Nadine Leo Art Collection
Original artwork by Nadine Leo featuring river landscapes and western themes. The collection includes oil paintings of historical Native Americans and cowboys, created using techniques learned from master artists like Dan Gerhartz.
Royal Collection Replicas
We offer replicas of historic pieces originally created for British royalty. This includes recreations of the Queen Mother's brooch and Princess Diana's ring, featuring authentic Mississippi River pearls.
People
Nadine Ifrah Leo
Owner & Founder
Founder of Mississippi River Pearl Jewelry in 1982, Nadine has spent 35+ years collecting rare pearls. She holds degrees from Minneapolis College of Art and Design and Les Arts Appliques in Paris. An accomplished artist, she has studied with renowned painters and is writing 'Tales of the Pearl Queen'.
Maya Nelson
Co-Owner & Designer
Daughter of Nadine Leo, Maya graduated from Arizona State University with degrees in Business and Communication. She specializes in jewelry design and business management, combining technical expertise with creative vision to develop contemporary pearl jewelry pieces.
Questions
What makes Mississippi River pearls unique?
Our pearls are naturally formed in American river mussels over centuries. They're rarer than cultured pearls, with unique shapes and colors determined by their riverbed environment.
Do you offer international shipping?
Yes, we ship globally. Our pearls have been sold to royal families and collectors worldwide through auction houses like Christie's.
Can I commission custom jewelry?
Yes, our designers create custom pieces using your selected pearls. Nadine and Maya work personally on each custom design to ensure artistic excellence.
What inspired the business?
Nadine's lifelong passion for river ecology and art led to collecting pearls during travels. This evolved into creating jewelry that preserves these natural treasures.
Are your pearls ethically sourced?
We collect pearls through traditional methods that respect river ecosystems. Our harvest practices predate modern environmental regulations and prioritize sustainability.
Reviews (2)
Sue Bielefeld
Jun 30, 2019
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Awesome place owner was so helpful pieces are beautiful. If you love the Mississippi River you have to get a natural pearl from it at this store. I will be returning for more.
Carol Barnett
Apr 22, 2017
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Have bought several pieces from here and absolutely love wearing them. We'll made and unique designs. Try to stop by when we are in that area.