All that Glitters at Abraxas Jewelry and Leather

Before you step into the red Victorian storefront of Abraxas Jewelry and Leather on Main Street in Ferndale, steady yourself. It’s a little like entering a cave of wonders, with jewels and stones winking and shining from all directions. One glass case is filled with turquoise sourced from the Southwest, another with carnelian, still others packed with rose quartz or moonstone.  

Locally crafted Holly Yashi earrings in the form of delicate, iridescent butterflies and pansies turn on a rack at the center of the room above a case of rainbow-hued crystal Firefly jewelry made by Indigenous artisans in Guatemala. At the counter, there are waterfalls of gold and silver chains, stacks of bangles and cuffs, and little bowls of silver and bejeweled pinkie rings to sift through. If you could use some luck, consider the polished stone mushrooms or a tiny brass elephant waving its trunk in the air. 

Browse your way to the back to peruse the array of buttery leather bags and wallets. Then take the stairs up to the hat room. The hidden haberdashery is filled to the literal rafters with fedoras, fascinators, top hats, Panamas, cloches, bowlers and beanies of all sorts. (Listen, we have got to bring back fancy hats.) Pop one on and see how you look, then take a gander at the Mardi Gras assortment of bejeweled and feathered masks. (We also need to bring back masquerades.)

This article appears in Humboldt Insider Winter 2026.