Hidden Gems: Meet Shira Weber of Vadore Jewelry

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shira Weber.

Shira, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up around jewelry. Some of my earliest memories are of rings and earrings scattered across my grandmother’s kitchen table. I would be pricing pieces by hand with my mom and watching my uncles bring repairs and custom work to life in her little garage they converted to a jewelers room. This craft was part of our family’s rhythm, a shared responsibility passed down through generations. By thirteen, I was working weekends in my uncles’ Ventura County store, learning the language of fine jewelry from the inside out. Over time, it became instinctual and deeply woven into who I am.

That foundation stayed with me even as I followed a different academic path. In graduate school, where I earned my master’s in psychology, I began to notice how naturally this work and human emotion overlapped for me. I became drawn to the way a piece can hold memory, mark a milestone, and express what words sometimes cannot, and how something tangible can continue to carry meaning long after a moment has passed.

While I value my clinical work and remain connected to the field, I was always pulled back to jewelry; designing custom pieces, guiding engagement decisions, and finding meaning in helping people turn their stories into heirlooms.

Bringing that passion, skill, and family legacy to Thousand Oaks has been a true full-circle moment. This community is now my home, and opening this store here has allowed me to root generations of craftsmanship in a place that feels deeply personal. Every piece reflects not only the history and skill passed down to me, but also the stories, milestones, and relationships of the people who walk through our doors.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been a smooth road getting Vadore off the ground. From the beginning, I questioned whether opening a jewelry business at this stage of my life was the wisest decision. I was already raising two young children, balancing family needs, working part-time as a therapist, and helping my uncle’s in their jewelry business. Stepping into the role of a jeweler and business owner felt like a full load, especially knowing that every hour poured into the store was time taken from my family. The sacrifice is real, and the weight of that choice stays with me daily.

What I also didn’t anticipate was how quickly the original partnership would change after we opened. The business was meant to be built by three of us, but shortly after launch, that vision shifted, and I was left carrying it forward with just the support of my husband. Suddenly, the responsibility was heavier and the workload greater than I had ever intended. There were moments when keeping the doors open meant fighting for the business, and just as often, fighting my own doubts. I questioned whether it was worth continuing, and chose to keep going anyway. That season reshaped me in ways only challenge can, strengthening my resolve and deepening my belief that this store could become something.

As you know, we’re big fans of Vadore Jewelry . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Vadore is a fine-jewelry boutique built on generations of craftsmanship and a deeply personal approach to service. We aren’t a revolving door. We take the time to become your jeweler; getting to know who you are, what matters to you, and what makes you light up. Whether you’re creating a custom piece or selecting something already in the case, every experience is rooted in care, conversation, and trust.

What sets us apart is our experience and transparency. We take the time to educate and guide our clients, working with intentionally small margins to offer exceptional quality and honest pricing without compromising craftsmanship.

I’m especially proud of the trust our clients place in us whether they’re bringing in a cherished piece for repair or trusting us to thoughtfully restyle something meaningful. I also take pride in offering our community something they haven’t had before: a younger, fresher perspective on fine jewelry that still honors classic craftsmanship at unbeatable value.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I’ve rarely taken a conventional or predictable path, and many of the decisions I’ve made have required stepping forward without certainty. Some risks led to growth, confidence, and deep pride. Others left me sitting quietly with shame, regret, and the weight of lessons learned the hard way.

Most recently, opening a brick-and-mortar store has been one of the largest risks I’ve taken, especially at a time when gold prices are at historic highs, jewelry sales across the industry have significantly declined, and the market feels deeply uncertain. On paper, it’s not the obvious move. There are easier, safer options—but that has never been how I operate.

I’ve also taken risks that aren’t always visible from the outside, like choosing to close the store for a week after the holidays so I could be present with my family. Fully aware that stepping away can feel financially and professionally dangerous, I’ve learned to honor my need for balance. I don’t see an alternative that allows me to build something meaningful without losing myself in the process.

Pricing:

• we have jewelry gifts starting at just $20

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vadorejewelry.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vadorejewelry/

Image Credits
Leigha Smith Photography