Gems and jewels glistened up at customers walking into Eve J. Alfillé Gallery & Studio on Thursday night as about 30 people milled around the store checking out jewelry and chatting with the owner and other patrons while snacking on cheese and wine.

The occasion at the gallery and studio, 623 Grove St., was “Jewelry to Write Home About,” a partnership event between Alfillé and Housing Options, an Evanston-based organization that provides housing for people with mental illnesses.

Alfillé, the store’s owner, pledged to give 10 percent of all purchases made at the event to Housing Options and gave away a pearl and diamond pendant in a random drawing.

Housing Options provides affordable housing for people recovering from mental illnesses. The organization also provides help from social workers and psychiatrists to allow the resident return to a normal life without having to be institutionalized, according to Housing Options’ Web site.

“If you were to drive by a building our residents live in, you wouldn’t be able to tell that it is occupied by a person with a mental illness,” said Melba Swoyer, director of development and communications at Housing Options.

The necklace Alfillé gave away represented her perspective on those who benefit from Housing Options, she said.

“A pearl is a response to an irritant,” Alfillé said. “I feel that at best people who’ve had a hard time, who’ve had a lot of these irritants, these stresses from life, if they can be shown how to deal with this, to accommodate and to live with it, maybe create a thing of beauty as a result, that’s a wonderful simile.”

Swoyer said a lot of thought was put into the group’s partnership with the studio.

“We were looking for something more unique to get people to come to and actually choose the type of jewelry they like,” Swoyer said. “It’s something different enough so it won’t be your same old benefit.”

Alfillé said she thinks it is important to support philanthropic organizations, and Housing Options caught her eye.

“I think what I really look for is an organization where people really participate,” Alfillé said. “(Housing Options) is an organization that works hard, and I was very impressed.”

Alfillé, an energetic woman who said she loves her craft, has been designing and creating jewelry for the past 20 years. Prior to owning the gallery and studio, she worked as an archeologist. After unearthing numerous pieces of jewelry, she came to realize the art form’s importance.

“Jewelry is one of the earliest impulses; it has transcendence,” Alfillé said, “It takes you out of your misery.”

Alfillé also said she donates some of her earnings to Pediatric AIDS Chicago, Chicago Home and Aid, and other local organizations.

Michelle Musburger, Alfillé’s public relations consultant, said she sees why Alfillé is so eager to give to different causes.

“She does these events because it’s a way to give back to the community who supported her,” Musburger said.

Reach Angela Lu at [email protected].