When the highly anticipated “Sex and the City: The Movie” comes out this spring, the actors will be wearing jewelry from the Agas & Tamar store in NoLIta. The jewelry brand, which landed in America just six months ago, has won fans among celebrities, such as actress Debra Messing and designer Donna Karan. But just last year, the entrepreneur behind the store, Eli Halili, 28, was working from a wooden bench across the street. There, he spent several months taking notes on the comings and goings of patrons of the shops along Mott Street. That street, which reminded him of his hometown of Bet Uziel, near Tel Aviv, was where he was determined to open his own shop — despite the lack of vacancies. After several months of watching and waiting, he noticed a handbag boutique that wasn’t attracting much traffic; he called the landlord, who confirmed that a space would soon be available.

Last fall, Mr. Halili moved into a 500-square-foot space. The shop sells hand-made, Eastern-inspired jewelry — much of which incorporates ancient gold coins. It is the first American outpost of the 10-year-old Agas & Tamar label, based in Tel Aviv. Prices range between $500 for a pair of aquamarine studs set in 24-karat gold and $12,000 for a pink diamond rope chain.

But the real gems here are the ancient Jewish coins from the Roman, Byzantine, and Islamic periods. The 18-karat gold “Eilat ring” ($2,300) features a coin etched with a parasol symbolizing those once used to shade priests. And a black Star of David coin from Casablanca, dated 250 B.C.E., dangles from a 24-karat gold snake chain ($1,500). Thick bracelets made with chunks of black Byzantine glass and gold can be worn stacked, or individually ($1,950 each). And in old medicine cabinets, perched atop netting, there are unisex rings: Hefty bands of 24-karat gold and silver encasing rough-hewn cornelian, aquamarine, ruby, and onyx stones are $650 each.

While offerings such as delicate strands of handmade clay beads ($1,200) and tiny black diamonds flecked with gold ($4,000) are dainty and whimsical, the store itself — with its stained black floors and tattered wood accents — recalls the rugged earthiness of a Middle Eastern kiosk. Adorning his eastern wall is laser-carved Hebrew lettering. The translation: “I put a ring on your nose, earrings in your ears, and a beautiful crown upon your head.”

Mr. Halili moved to New York in 2000, and worked as a sales manager for a diamond company. But on a trip to Tel Aviv three years ago, a friend brought him to Agas & Tamar, a boutique nestled in the historic Neve Tzedek section of that city.

At a local café there, Mr. Halili persuaded designers Einat Agasi and Tamar Harel-Klein to let him take their handiwork west. While waiting for an available space on Mott Street, Mr. Halili worked with the designers on adapting their pieces for an American market. That meant more karats, more strands, and longer earrings. “A woman will wear one strand in Israel and feel too busy,” he said. “Here, it’s four strands to make it more substantial.”

Among the label’s high-profile fans is Ms. Karan, who sells the jewelry at her Urban Zen store (705 Greenwich St., between Charles and 10th streets, 212-206-3999), and costume designer Patricia Field, who bedecked three of the four female stars of stars of “Sex and the City: The Movie” in Agas & Tamar rings, bracelets, and necklaces. At least one of the male characters will be sporting designs from the store, too, but Mr. Halili said he could not give specifics until the movie arrived in theaters.

And if Mr. Halili should ever forget his humble roots? “That bench is still outside with my name on it,” he said.

Agas & Tamar (250 Mott St., between Prince and Houston streets, 212-941-7979).