Savings on Crystal, Jewelry May Pay for Longer Drive

For the past few years, many of you have pursued deals on crystal and jewelry at Athena International in Venice. Although it recently closed to the public and moved a bit farther from the San Fernando Valley, Athena has opened its doors temporarily, until Dec. 12.

The bargains are so terrific that you probably won’t mind the drive to Torrance.

Crystal paperweights, perfume bottles, Italian gift ware and custom-designed costume jewelry are all at prices far below wholesale.

Earrings that retail at major stores for $25 are $8.50; necklaces that sell for $50 are $8.50. Swarovski crystal bracelets priced from $14 to $20 at regular stores are $7 and $8 here.

Crystal paperweights that you’ll find elsewhere for $30 are $11. Perfume bottles range from $10 to $35, down from $35 to $95, and there are some wonderful key chains for $2 that would regularly cost $12.

The inventory includes some soon-to-be discontinued items with a few seconds sprinkled in.

This is not a store, but rather a warehouse for the gift importer and jewelry design firm that supplies upscale department stores, national mail-order companies and Las Vegas casinos. Much of the jewelry is made on the spot, so there’s room for a certain amount of customizing.

Athena International, 1840 W. 220th St., Suite 330, Torrance. (800) 228-1307. Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sale runs Dec. 2-12.

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Weekend Super Sale: The folks at Luggage for Less in Woodland Hills are throwing their first Holiday Parking Lot Sale starting today and going through the weekend.

One 26-inch item with a built-in garment bag is a production sample made of ballistic nylon. It retails for $440, usually sells here for $335 and is marked for the sale at $159. A carry-on expandable suiter “on sale” elsewhere for $149 is $99. Some luggage is actually under $20, and it’s all first-quality. Sale is only at the Woodland Hills site.

Luggage For Less, 19701 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 774- 0212.