Going out for a night of dancing? Don’t forget your glow in the dark jewelry!

The hottest new jewelry designer has to be MerCurios, who is producing must have glowing jewelry, and a ton of other cool pieces.

A Little Background:

The Long Island born designer Mary Jo Peritore founded the company MerCurios in 2003 after serving in the fashion industry for some 20 years. She’s worked for the likes of Liz Claiborne and Emanuel Ungaro before going solo and establishing herself as a unique jewelry designer.

What’s in the name? MerCurios is derived from my astrological sign,” said Peritore. The “Mer” in MerCurios comes from the planet Mercury which rules my rising sign, Virgo.  The “Curios” in MerCurios is another way of saying curiosities and it’s very fitting for her collection.” It’s based on the one of a kind unique pieces I make,” she said.

Her company evolved as a hobby. After leaving her full time job, Peritore said she was able to, “Really focus on my creativity.” And creativity comes easy to the artist which is clear after taking a peek at her collection. From Latin inscribed knuckle dusters to glow in the dark stones, everything is one of a kind.”In the past couple of years, the collection has grown tremendously,” she said.

Her Jewelry :

She describes her jewelry as, “Very Ethereal and chaotic, very organic,  industrial and raw. Everything is freehand and everything inspires my pieces including nature, my son, friends, and even other artists.”

Her original best seller is a hand stamped banner ring, which was featured in two magazines. The banner reads in Latin, “Fortune favors the bold.” The ring costs $40.

Her most recent collection is a glow in the dark collection. “I’m the only person that has these stones,” she said.”I saw them at a gem and mineral show in Mattituck last year. My 5-year-old son grabbed them and showed them to me. They weren’t cheap, I bought only two and made two pieces of jewelry but as soon as I listed them within 24 hours they sold out.”  Since then, the pieces have blown up, with shoppers snatching them up left and right. One of her recent glowing pieces was even featured in Accessories Magazine.

One of my favorite glowing pieces is the glow in the dark neon crystal quartz skull 2 finger ring for $58. The glow in the dark neon crystal quartz skull 2 finger ring is edgy yet unique and definitely a standout piece. The piece features a Tibetan quartz stone that has undergone a natural process to make it glow in the dark and is made from non-tarnish gold-filled wire with a skull. Best part? It’s hypoallergenic!

Peritore says of her ring designs, “I design for myself honestly. A lot of times I will be shutting down for the night, on the brink of sleep and an idea will pop into my head. It’s quite annoying actually.”

The Future :

Peritore is still working on a ten piece limited edition Mood Collection. “The first ring is wrapped with a quartz crystal. It’s very simple and very boho,” said Peritore. She’s also incorporating shells and crystals for a new collection of knuckle dusters, which she says should be some pretty “Badass rings.”

Selling mostly in California shops, Mary Jo also offers her pieces online at MerCurios.net as well as a few local Long Island boutiques, including Veronica Rayne in Northport.