Generations of Jewelers
In 1885, the Coles' family story began with Perry's great grandfather Issac as a small neighborhood jeweler in Chicago. His son Archie then ran a wholesale jewelry business beginning in 1925 in the famed Art Deco Mallers Building in downtown Chicago on Wabash Avenue. It was called Jewelers Row. Perry's father Charles was on the road throughout the midwest selling jewelry from his father's shop to small independent retail jewelers during the 1940's and 50's. Perry continued the legacy, as the jewelry business is certainly in his blood. The family's rich history carries on with Allie's inherited deep passion for the jewelry industry.
Since 1885, our family has been passionate about curating and creating stunning, one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry.
Five generations later, our family business still thrives. Currently, we have an extensive and very active online store through Etsy and a beautiful showroom in Meridian, Idaho. Each piece of fine jewelry you find at Copper Canary is unique either as an antique or handmade by us - we do not carry any jewelry brands as we prefer to work with jewelry makers to find unique products as well as crafting our own designs. Our team is comprised of veteran goldsmiths, gemologists, and a lead designer, each dedicated to ensuring the quality of product.
Throughout time Copper Canary’s commitment to quality and price remains unwavering. At a friendly variety of price ranges, we provide our clients with an extensive selection of carefully curated and restored antique and vintage pieces alongside our exclusive line of beautifully hand-crafted modern fine jewelry and accessories.
Meet Our Team
Allie
Spending most of of her young life in Southern California, Allie is now a content and grateful resident of the wonderful state of Idaho! Allie graduated from Northern Arizona University with degrees in both fashion merchandising and business, and she did it in 3 years in addition to a semester abroad in London which further enhanced her desire to work in fashion. During summers in her college years, Allie interned in LA for design houses and at Nordstrom in San Diego where she honed her innate stylist skills. After school, she enjoyed her time working for Nordstrom in Salt Lake City, helping to open their new store at City Creek where she became a sought-after stylist in both the men's and women's departments. Allie had the privilege of running around the store, searching for accessories, jewelry, and shoes to complete the look her client was desiring. Allie always knew that she would in time join her father's jewelry business as a fifth-generation jeweler. She earned her diamond certificate at the Gemological Institute of America. She would love nothing more than to style you casually or for an event, helping you choose the perfect jewelry pieces to compliment your wardrobe. Allie is married and the mother of three amazing children.
Perry
Born in Chicago, raised in Phoenix, moving on to Southern California and finally landing in the beautiful state of Idaho. Perry is very happy with his "final" destination. Perry has loved being in the jewelry business for more than 45 years. As a fourth-generation jeweler, it all began in Chicago in the year 1885 with his great-grandfather. Early beginnings found Perry selling very trendy turquoise Native American Jewelry at weekend swap meets in sweltering Phoenix in the 1970s with his then-girlfriend and now wife of 42 years. Fast forward to the Gemological Institute of America, in Santa Monica, CA, graduating in their first class in 1976. Perry has been fortunate to own fine jewelry shops in Phoenix, AZ, La Jolla, CA, and Carlsbad, CA. He very much looks forward to the remainder of his career here in Meridian, Idaho and if you are lucky enough to work with him when you visit Copper Canary you will be thoroughly impressed with his vast knowledge and experience. Perry loves to travel and has done so extensively, fishing and spending quality time with the family.
Amy
Continuing on with the family, Amy is Perry's partner in life and they are the proud parents of Allie and her two siblings. In her past life, Amy worked in the medical field but was fortunate enough to be a stay at home mom until she joined Perry at the jewelry store in Carlsbad in 2006, specializing in inventory and sales. Her very favorite thing at the shop is meeting new people and helping both new clients and regulars to find the perfect jewelry item and the excitement and smiles that go along with that! She loves seeing her favorite pieces go home with someone that she knows will cherish it for years to come. Amy loves traveling with Perry, spending as much time with family as possible and of course Finley!
Zane
Zane is our master gold/platinumsmith of many years. He loves what he does and is extremely skilled after almost 50 years. Zane was born in California and grew up in Las Vegas. He is very experienced in the restoration of antique jewelry which was made very differently than modern jewelry. Zane is a proud Vietnam Veteran and we are proud to have him as an integral part of our team.
Katherine
Katherine was born in Montana and her love for gemstones began at the age of only 5 when she received a mineral gemstone collection for Christmas. Little did she know at that tender age that she would eventually become a recipient of not one but two scholarships from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) for graduate gemology studies which she is currently working on. She has completed her AJP Certificate and Graduate Pearls course thus far...go Kat! Prior to her GIA studies, as a lover of the visual arts and photography, Katherine graduated from Boise State with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2014. After college, she moved overseas to Bahrain and then on to Saudi Arabia having the amazing opportunity to work for HH Princess Adwa Bint Yazid Al-Saud as a private art consultant. Kat fell in love with gold jewelry as she wandered through the gold souqs of the Middle East. To say the least, Kat is an adventurer and a creative one at that! She definitely brings a unique vibe to the Copper Canary atmosphere and we are grateful for it. We feel very fortunate to have her here working with us at Copper Canary where her innate creativity and artfulness certainly shines through!
Sandie
Sandie was born and raised in Surrey, England. She moved to the states to run a motel in South Lake Tahoe for a stint and then moved on to beautiful Maui, Hawaii. Poor girl! Sandie was lucky to call Hawaii home for 10 years, and while there, worked various retail jobs including a fine jewelry shop in the popular vacation spot of Lahaina. Idaho beckoned, as Sandie’s family is here, so there was no question on whether another move was in store. Her daughter and grandson are so happy she is near! Sandie has an obvious passion for both fine jewelry and fashion, and she is very excited to work with us part time so that she can also enjoy semi-retirement. We in turn at Copper Canary, are very happy to work with the very sweet and thoughtful Sandie!
Emilee
Emilee is our marketing extraordinaire. She was born in Arizona, raised in Kentucky, and came to Boise 11 years ago for college, achieving a degree in botany. Botany you say? Well, she does love gardening and definitely has a green thumb. Emilee is truly a Renaissance woman. Her interest and abilities include her canine babies, knitting, painting, reading, and all adventures outdoors. We love that Emilee is so well-rounded, balanced, and creative. Her creativity shines here on the Copper Canary Team!
Emilee has the impressive responsibility of promoting our shop through varying means such as advertising and community outreach. Emilee comes to us well-versed in marketing, journalism, and communications, from previous work in other industries. Emilee eloped with the love of her life in 2022 in Iceland and they now live in Boise.
Finley (Security Pawficer)
Even as a young pup, Finley just knew deep down in his furry soul that his role in life would be a velcro dog. Finley must be with his people, hence he is a fixture at Copper Canary. We hope you like dogs, because he isn't going anywhere, besides he has to be sure that his people are ok and that means going to work EVERY.SINGLE.DAY. Woof.
Almost forgot, Finley enjoys eating dirt and grass, kissing, digging, kissing, treats, belly rubs and kissing.
