Pat Areias Sterling

A GuestLife Monterey Bay
Design Studio

Every item of Pat Areias Sterling — belt buckles, jewelry, men’s accessories, objets d’art for the home — is hand fabricated in her own workshop. No molds, no patterns, no machine stamped, cookie cutter assembly lines. Master silversmiths form, solder and polish each piece individually and then apply a hand-hammered finish that lends a wonderful texture to the metal, making it feel warm and supple and lending a signature shimmering effect.

Pat fell in love with silver in Mexico. After a stint in the Peace Corps in Central and South America, she apprenticed with both silver and leather craftsmen in Ecuador and Mexico. Her first design for Pat Areias Sterling was a three-piece belt buckle set, produced in 1987.

Clients often ask Pat where she draws the inspiration for her clean, classic designs. “I am inspired by fashion,” she says. “I see trends in design and translate them to silver.”

But the muse can strike in unusual ways as well. A recent design was based on the grille of a classic car Pat observed tooling the streets of Carmel.

The shop, on Ocean Avenue between Dolores and Lincoln, has a wonderful energy. Belts of buttery calfskins from Italy, France and Switzerland and exotic skins from all over the world are matched with Pat’s designs by her extremely personable, helpful staff. Your belt is then assembled as you wait: a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that will last a lifetime.

In addition to the Carmel location, Pat Areias Sterling has shops on Madison Avenue in New York City and at the Desert Passage in Las Vegas. She and her husband recently celebrated the grand opening of their fourth store in Beverly Hills. All stores are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Carmel - Ocean Ave. btwn Dolores & Lincoln, (831) 626-8668
Las Vegas - Desert Passage - 3663 Las Vegas Blvd., (702) 794-2800
Beverly Hills - 9625 Brighton Way, (310) 858-9030
New York - 966 Madison Ave., (212) 717-7200

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