The holidays are taking on a new glow at Mystic Silver & Company.

Located in the Carriage House in Olde Mistick Village (the building across from Mystic Aquarium), the shop has a solid reputation for presenting tomorrow’s favorites, today.

Mystic Silver is best-known for its beautiful Compass Rose collection of bracelets, earrings and pendants. In silver and gold, some ornamented with precious stones, Compass jewelry is a popular milestone and souvenir gift, symbolizing the journey of life.

“The Compass Rose is the one piece I sell that holds a completely different meaning for every person who purchases one,” said shop owner Susan Gibson.

In addition to the compass design, Mystic Silver carries delicate sterling-silver shell earrings, romantic Sailor’s Valentines pendants, striking fish-hook necklaces and anchor-studded cuff bracelets also handcrafted by The Touch by Steven Edward, a Boston-based jewelry manufacturer.

But other unique lines are gaining attention. Leightworks is crystal jewelry that seems to change color in the light. The softly iridescent pieces are simple, powerful, and eye-catching. Nearby, the Opal company’s rings and necklaces seem lit from within, with a shimmering, blue-green fire.

On the morning of our visit, a woman wanders in looking for turquoise-and-silver earrings.

With a friendly, low-key welcome, Gibson guides her through the store’s sizable selection, proffering dangling earrings and a kind-hearted opinion.

It’s certainly not the kind of high-pressure, business-like transaction you might expect from a jewelry store. And that’s because Gibson genuinely loves helping customers. A Mystic native, she opened Mystic Silver & Co. in 2010 with any eye to selling affordable, sterling-silver jewelry, almost all of which is handcrafted in America. A glance about the glass display cases reveals Gibson’s penchant for timeless design. “We’re not the type of store that focuses on trendy costume jewelry,” she says.

For Gibson, affordability and quality are key, but also important are pieces that create interest. One example is the customer-favorite Southern Gates Collection. Designed in Charleston, South Carolina, the sterling-silver earrings, pendants, bracelets and rings depict intricate scrolling and filigree designs inspired by the 18th- and 19th- century wrought-iron gates, grilles and balconies found outside grand homes of the south. Each piece tells a story. And while the jewelry feels luxuriant, it’s far from extravagant, with earrings starting around $29.

The John Medeiros Jewelry Collection is handmade in Providence from 14-karat gold and rhodium with Swarovski crystal or cubic zirconium stones. The bracelets, necklaces and earrings make a big style statement with two-tone accents, bold shapes and vibrant stones.

Equally as fetching (and affordable) is Marahlago Larimar, an aquamarine-hued stone mined in the Dominican Republic. Set in sterling silver, Larimar enlivens delicate pendants, teardrop earrings and cuff bracelets.

For a quietly beautiful collection that rewards the careful observer, take note of Krystyna’s Silver, where tiny flowers blossom inside clear settings.

Looking for a gift that supports a cherished cause? Chavez for Charity bracelets make thoughtful stocking stuffers, with 25% of every purchase benefitting programs ranging from cancer research, to hunger, education, the environment and worldwide humanitarian projects.

For inspirational gift-giving, MantraBands’ unembellished designs allow the words to speak for themselves. Engraved with sayings (“live what you love”, “follow your bliss”) or one-word declarations (“fearless”, “blessed”), the cuff bracelets are meant to encourage and cheer.

They “fly off the shelf,” said Gibson.

For the holidays, Gibson plans to run special promotions and giveaways throughout December. Follow the shop’s Facebook page or visit mysticsilverandcompany.com for details.

Mystic Silver & Co. is located at 27 Coogan Blvd., Olde Mistick Village, Building 27A, Mystic, CT, 06355. For more information call 860-572-7776.