Independent jewelry store coming to Iowa River Landing

Diamond Leaf Jewelers, a jewelry shop specializing in custom wedding and engagement rings, has leased space in Coralville's Iowa River Landing.

Miriam Vakulskas, the owner of the store, has been working in the jewelry business for 13 years in national retail stores and in independent shops.

'Making the switch to working in an independent shop really grew my passion for this industry,” Vakulskas said in a news release. 'It's extremely rewarding to build relationships with clients as you work together to create something beautiful.”

Vakulskas said the process of creating a custom ring begins with a client consultation. Computer aided design enables customers to see an image of ring before it is created.

3D printing is used to create a resin prototype that shows the detail and scale of the custom jewelry with the diamond. Once the design is finalized, a team of experienced jewelers cast and hand set each gem.

Diamond Leaf, which Vakulskas expects to open in May, also will carry more than 300 engagement and wedding bands for purchase or for inspiration. Brands will include Bastian, Valina, and Caro 74.

Diamond Leaf also is partnering with the virtual wedding planning company Brindle + Oak. The service will be offered for free of charge to custom design clients.

Diamond Leaf will occupy a space between Winestyles and Brides By Jessa.

Deanna Trumbull, sales and leasing consultant for Iowa River Landing, said the area will offer one-stop shopping for bridal and wedding planning.

'You will be able to shop for your ring at Diamond Leaf, purchase your gowns at Brides By Jessa, register and host your shower at Luxe Interiors, pamper your bridal party at Massage Heights, and purchase gifts at Winestyles and Von Maur,” Trumbull said Wednesday.

'We're working on two additional leases. We would like to have a stationary store.”

Trumbull said Iowa River Landing has a signed lease with Sam Auen, the owner of Tacopacolypse in Des Moines. She said the Asian-fusion restaurant, which was expected to open a location in IRL in June 2015, has hit a snag with its business operations in Des Moines.

'We really like the Tacopacolypse concept and hope that the owner can resolve the issues in Des Moines that are constraining his expansion plans,” Trumbull said.