Black Jewelry Designers to Shop Now and Forever
Black Jewelry Designers to Shop Now and Forever
The next time you're shopping for something sparkly, we recommend you turn to one of these Black-owned jewelry brands for a truly special piece. All of these designers offer both innovative work and unique designs, and supporting them increases representation African Americans in the fine jewelry world. Even better, many of these brands are committed to using sustainable materials, like recycled gold and responsibly sourced diamonds and gemstones.
Vanleles Diamonds
vanleles.com
$44.00
Vania Leles created the Vanleles collection with the mission to celebrate the gemstones and beauty of Africa through fine jewelry. Born in Guinea Bissau, Leles spent a decade working for premier jewelry brands, including Graff and De Beers, before starting her collection in 2008. Vanleles, which is likely the only female black-owned jewelry atelier in London’s Mayfair, creates distinctly feminine pieces using responsibly sourced African diamonds and gems. The new Kilimanjaro earrings with diamonds set in bright blue titanium and gold were inspired by a blanket of snow on Africa’s tallest mountain. The designer is donating 100% of the sale from her new Nile collection to Malaika, an African organization that works to educate and support girls.
White Space Jewelry
White Space Jewelry
whitespacejewelry.com
$685.00
After graduating from Parsons School of Design, jewelry designer Khadijah Fulton worked for several high-profile fashion names before establishing White Space Jewelry. Influenced by the simplicity and sophistication of mid-century architecture, minimalist art and sculpture, and ancient goldsmithing, she explores the contrasts of delicate and strong, and restrained and sexy in her designs. This baroque pearl necklace highlights the imperfect beauty of two natural pearls on an adjustable chain. Each piece is handmade in Khadijah's Los Angeles studio or by local artisans using recycled gold and responsibly sourced stones.
Harwell Godfrey
harwellgodfrey.com
$2500.00
Designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey creates bold and symbolic designs inspired by ancient textiles and patterns, in colorful settings with bright enamel and gemstones. The jeweler created this heart pendant as a healing talisman using black onyx because its color represents the black lives it honors and because the stone is believed to imbue strength. The Los Angeles-based designer is donating all proceeds from the sale of the pendant to the NAACP.
Omi Woods
omiwoods.com
$110.00
The founder of Omi Woods, Ashley Alexis McFarlane, designs contemporary jewelry that celebrates her connection to Africa. The Cowrie necklace, available in sterling silver, vermeil, or gold, features the beads which once served as West Africa’s currency. All of her jewelry is made with fair-trade African gold and other globally sourced conflict-free fine metals, and a portion of all sales are donated to non-profit organizations and charities.
Mateo
Mateo
mateonewyork.com
$1950.00
Designer Matthew Harris creates timeless jewelry with a contemporary spirit. Born and raised in Montego Bay, Jamaica, he earned a degree in hospitality management in New Hampshire but then discovered his passion for jewelry making and moved to New York. The self-taught designer’s minimalist style draws inspiration from modern art. For this pendant, he elevates the cherished heart motif by placing an emerald-cut quartz over a gold and diamond heart.
KHIRY
KHIRY
khiry.com
$295.00
KHIRY, founded by Jameel Mohammed, has quickly established a following for its minimalist, sculptural pieces that come in sterling silver, gold vermeil, or gold with gemstones. The designer, who counts Alicia Keys among his fans, draws on art, heritage and African culture for inspiration. He’s also a great source for custom designs.
Lorraine West
The self-taught New York-based designer Lorraine West creates a range of pieces from simple gold and bronze jewelry to custom commissions featuring beautiful and rare gemstones. Inspired by the colors of the sunset, the designer’s hand-forged Sheridan ring showcases a striking boulder opal set in 18-karat gold and surrounded by tsavorites and sapphires.
Melanie Eddy Jewelry
The London-based designer and academic Melanie Eddy blends old-world craftsmanship with modern techniques to create bold, geometric pieces like this architectural gold ring. An accomplished goldsmith, who has been commissioned by major institutions, including the Victoria & Albert Museum and Central Saint Martinss College of Art, Eddy explores the relationship of form to the body.
You know legends like Jacqueline Rabun. Now it's time to discover these incredible black-owned jewelry brands.