KILAUEA — After nearly 18 years on Kauai, The Lotus Gallery of Fine Art is closing.
The gallery located in Kong Lung Center on Kilauea Lighthouse Road was founded by Tsajon and Kamalia von Lixfeld in November 1999 as an outlet for their jewelry design and Asian art.
Over time they expanded to include two more locations at the Beach House in Poipu and the Dragon Building in Kapaa. In their fourth year of business on Kauai they received the 2004 Retail Business of the Year award by the Retail Merchants of Kauai.
“We’re big on unique designs, particularly in semi-precious stones,” Tsajon von Lixfeld said. “The more unusual and what you don’t normally see in the mainstream jewelry stores.”
The galleries are best known for their gemstones and antique Asian art collected by the founders and owners, who design and make most of the jewelry. Kamalia has created jewelry for 40 years, and Tsajon has been a jeweler and gemologist for 31 years.
“Lotus Gallery is certainly not your typical island art gallery or jewelry store,” Tsajon said. “Lotus Gallery is like Kauai, totally exotic and unique, and from the heart.”
Inside the Kilauea gallery, custom rosewood display cases feature royal antique gold jewelry of the maharajas and sultans of India. Outside a waterfall flows into a koi pond filled with quartz crystals and water plants, including lotus flowers.
“Kamalia uses her healing gift to imbue all her work with love and light,” Tsajon said. “She believes jewelry should be more than just an ornament; it should protect, empower and heal the wearer.”
Most of their jewelry is made in 18 and 22 karat gold. Tsajon finds gemstones that radiate with light, emphasizing the “life” of a gemstone rather than size or cut.
As Tsajon spent many years hunting for antique treasures in Asia, the gallery is filled with rare and precious sculptures in stone and bronze from as early as the 12th century. Other unique items include Persian carpets of all sizes, shapes and colors, made of fine wool and silks.
“We been in business for 17 years,” Tsajon said. “Now we’re closing here and retiring. We had a great run of it and enjoyed all the customers that we’ve gotten over the years.”
Tsajon joined the Rotary Club of Hanalei Bay in 2001 and served as its president from 2005 to 2006. As an ambassador for the club, he went to Burma (now known as Myanmar) to teach children. Kamalia also gives back to the community by contributing to island charities.
Their Lotus Gallery of Fine Art is having a closing sale until May 31, with up to 50 percent off for selected items.
