There’s no mistaking the presence of jewelry in Naples FL. The streets of Naples Florida are practically dripping in gold, diamonds, and other precious stones. If one were to pinpoint the epitome of “Naples jewelry,” it would undoubtedly lead to Cleopatra’s Barge in the Downtown Naples Area. Even when the bustling street was once a peaceful fishing haven, the renowned jewelry shop owned by Marilyn Janss stood out. Despite the passing of five decades, Janss continues to create stunning gold pieces and offer a variety of jewelry in her quaint boutique. However, her claim to fame lies in the Naples Medallion, a gorgeous portrayal of the city’s iconic pier in the form of bracelets, charms, and intricately designed pendants dripping in diamonds. More recently, Janss has expanded her collection to feature the Marco Cat, a striking archaeological treasure from nearby Marco Island.
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The History Of Cleopatras Barge
New York City
Born May of 1945 in New York City, owner Marilyn Janss was shortly thereafter trained by two premier jewelers. On one accidental occasion, Marilyn’s excursion on the New York City subway system would change her life by running into a famous jeweler who she shared her passions with regarding jewelry and gems. Before she knew it, Marilyn would be invited to work under the wing of one of the most prestigious jewelers in the city who had designed and manufactured jewelry for:
- Cartier
- Tiffany & Co
- Van Cleef
- Arpel
Marilyn Janss would also later study under Joe Costello, a well-known diamond setter in New York City.
Moved To Naples Florida
In 1966, she moved to Naples and became the first local manufacturing jeweler, noted for copyrighted designs. Having been in business for over 50+ years Cleopatra’s Barge is one of the longest-running businesses revered in Southwest Florida.
Designed The Iconic Naples Medallion
In 1992, she designed and copyrighted the Naples medallion, which became her store’s iconic piece. It’s an etched drawing of the Naples pier with a palm tree and can be ordered in four sizes in either gold or silver,
New Private Gallery
On October 1st, 2023 Marilyn reopened her prestigious gallery above Bice’s Ristorante at the corner of Third Street and Fifth Avenue South. She will continue her passion of creating and recreating jewelry pieces for what has been a steady stream—three generations worth of customers.