Djeneba Aduayom
Whether it’s an heirloom passed down through generations or a necklace you wear every day, jewelry has the distinct ability to not only elevate an outfit but simultaneously tell a story and evoke sentimental memories. And just as unique are the diverse range of designers behind these baubles. As Black-owned jewelry brands still fight to occupy the shelf space they deserve, you can help give them visibility—and add some special pieces to your collection—by supporting them with your dollars.
Ahead, we compiled a list of 36 Black-owned jewelry brands to shop now and forever. From Admiral Row’s affordable classics and Mateo’s sculptural fine jewels to Beads Byaree’s striking adornments crafted specifically to celebrate Black joy, these labels’ offerings should definitely be on your radar.
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The vibe: Affordable, on-trend
Price range: $
Designed in Los Angeles with roots in the Bay Area, mastermind Tenisha Wilde has California ease down to a science. Her label Ten Wilde offers products from gold-plated to solid 14k, making chic jewelry accessible to all. Think: delicate stackable rings, hoop earrings in all proportions, and our personal favorite, this personalized take on the classic pearl necklace.
What people are saying: “Hands down my favorite earrings ever. I’ve purchased them for myself and as gifts for multiple friends, and they all love them as well!”
The vibe: Contemporary, luxurious
Price range: $$-$$$$
If this circular emblem by Almasika looks familiar, that’s because you might have caught Michelle Obama wearing a pendant version on Black-ish. No big deal. Designer Catherine Sarr cut her teeth in the diamond industry for years before launching her own label (she even had a stint at De Beers), and now is one of Chicago’s top diamond visionaries. Beyond creating fine jewelry worth the investment, she also sits on the Women’s Board and Advisory Committee of the Art Institute of Chicago and serves as a member of the Palais de Tokyo International Board.
The vibe: Gemstone-heavy
Price range: $$-$$$
Danyell Rascoe created Dan-Yell as an extension of her childhood fascination with gems and stones that she saw in the gift shop at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C. Years later, a trip to India rekindled her love for design, and Rascoe began crafting jewelry for herself. According to the brand’s page, she stated, “My work aims to be delicate with a sort of strength, that allows the jewelry to be part of your everyday life.” The result is beautiful jewelry cast in 10k gold and sterling silver, encrusted with semiprecious stones reminiscent of baubles you’d find in a museum.
The vibe: Travel-themed, philanthropic
Price range: $
Kira West, a community cultivator and content creator born in Brooklyn, set out to use her travels as a source of inspiration and change. With products inspired by globetrotting, 10 percent of MadeByKwest’s sales are donated to Girls Going Global, a nonprofit aiming “to address the disparity of girls of color in international education and today’s field of travel and international affairs.”
The vibe: Bold, cheeky
Price range: $
Say it like it is with Dominique Reneé. The nail artist turned jewelry designer creates cheeky jewelry with a playful bent. Phrases like “Always on Your Mind” and “Sweet Lies” are splashed in 3D-printed bioplastic, making this a brand to look to if you want to make a statement.
The vibe: Wallet-friendly, versatile
Price range: $
Whether you’re seeking classic staples or subtle statement pieces, Admiral Row has you covered. The Atlanta-based brand carries a range of affordable, quality baubles designed to earn a spot in your jewelry box for years to come, from thick, gold-plated hoops to customizable nameplate necklaces. Uniquely, the brand also houses a vintage shop filled one-of-a-kind, custom curations.
“I personally own the brand’s Oval Hoop earrings and wear them almost daily. I’m a gold hoop connoisseur (and own countless pairs), but I specifically love these for their chunky, oblong shape that doesn’t weigh down or irritate my sensitive lobes. After months of use, these still look as shiny as the day they arrived, too!”—Sam Peters, senior commerce editor, Hearst
The vibe: Dainty, nature-inspired
Price range: $-$$
Lauren Newton uses her background as a former zoologist to inform her designs, which results in natural forms like a pair of tusk-shaped earrings or textures molded after a stingray’s skin. When she works beyond the animal kingdom, you’ll fall in love with her delicately intricate charms, including this sweet little skull.
The vibe: Playful, vibrant
Price range: $-$$
Having worked at Sotheby’s, Ashley Harris uses her trained eye in the art industry to inform her own creative endeavor, Don’t Let Disco. The jewelry brand upends the beaded necklace, so think of it as an adult upgrade of the styles you made as a kid. Necklaces and bracelets are skillfully curated by Harris using beads she’s sourced over the years from vintage markets, creating an intentional, beautiful style that is one of a kind.
The vibe: Nostalgic
Price range: $
An ode to founder Morgan Thomas’s mother, Yam’s pieces are all handmade in Queens, New York. The nostalgia-driven line features gold-plated metals offset with playful charms like blown glass hearts.
The vibe: Handcrafted, eclectic
Price range: $-$$
Helmed by designer Sade Mims, EDAS has everything your aesthetic mind craves: sustainable home goods, luxurious handbags, and, notably, eclectic jewelry made by hand.
The vibe: Minimalistic yet elevated
Price range: $-$$$
If these “Vote” necklaces look familiar to you, it’s because you’ve seen them on the décolletage of none other than Michelle Obama. Suffice it to say, designer and creative director Chari Cuthbert creates with purpose.
The vibe: Timeless
Price: $-$$$$
Although Matthew Harris was born in Jamaica, he cut his teeth in New York’s jewelry district and is now blazing the trail as one of the top modern designers in the city. With jewels worn by Rihanna, Solange, and Zendaya, everything he touches (literally) turns to gold, diamonds, and precious gems.
The vibe: Boho, mission-driven
Price range: $-$$
Omi Woods is on a mission to not only create future heirlooms inspired by the African diaspora but to empower everyone involved, from the miners to the eventual wearers. Using fair trade gold and workers protected with fair wages and community outreach, designer Ashley Alexis McFarlane aims and succeeds in producing jewelry that matters.
What people are saying: “Wow, stunning and understated sexiness! Beautiful and classic…Definitely worth more than five stars!!”
The vibe: Geometric, gender-neutral
Price range: $$-$$$
For starters, Third Crown is backed by Beyoncé herself. Founders and co-designers Kristin and Kofi Essel pour their love and industry experience directly into their fine wares, complete with heavy geometric shapes and gender neutral statement pieces.
The vibe: Romantic
Price range: $$-$$$$
For romantic jewelry that fuses traditional cuts with a modern day slant, consider jewels by Valerie Madison. Pay special attention to her custom engagement rings, which feature unexpected touches like salt-and-pepper diamonds and rose-cut gems.
The vibe: Whimsical, statement-making
Price range: $-$$
Backed by Solange and Tracee Ellis Ross (who wore Beads Byaree on ELLE’s August 2020 digital cover), Areeayl Goodwin’s brand is fast becoming a household name. She marries whimsy with power, evoking an emotional response with her imaginative jewelry. The only thing more magical would be actually getting your hands on a piece, since her designs are quick to sell out.
The vibe: Emblematic, conversation-starting
Price range: $-$$
Johnny Nelson says his jewels are “conversation pieces that catch the eye.” The topic of discussion? Anything from Black history to hip-hop to spirituality, with direct references to Harriet Tubman and the Wu-Tang Clan alike.
The vibe: Fine gold
Price range: $$-$$$$
The gold standard at Auvere is just that: pure, unadulterated gold. In 2016, Gina Love (a former real estate lawyer) and Steven Feldman founded Auvere on the premise that all of their jewels be made of 22 or 24 karat gold only, to let the metal really shine.
The vibe: Modern gold
Price range: $-$$
If you’re a gold-only kind of person, look to Oma the Label. The brand excels at modernizing classic chains, rings, and even body jewelry, all in your favorite metal.
What people are saying: “Stylish, yet understated. Easy to order. Delivered in two days. Great all around.”
The vibe: Light-hearted, technicolor
Price range: $-$$
Fortune favors the bold, and that can be said specifically of Jade Gedeon, the creative brains behind We Dream in Colour. Her collection is not for the faint of heart, but it’s easy to fall in love with her technicolor earrings, oversized necklaces, and designs made to make you smile.
What people are saying: “Adorable! Flashy! Elegant! Rather lightweight [earrings] and not too heavy.”
The vibe: Glitzy, maximalist
Price range: $$$-$$$$
Based in the Bay Area of California, founder Lauren Harwell Godfrey’s high-end jewelry speaks to your soul. She designs to heal, using 18k gold, luxuriously detailed inlay enamel, and a special use of color to protect wearers with symbolic pieces.
The vibe: Architectural, philanthropic
Price range: $-$$$
Think of Marcia Vidal’s jewelry as talismans. Her handmade silver and gold jewels are the kind you can’t imagine taking off. With proceeds from each purchase benefiting the non-profit organization Choose Love, it’s hard not to wear your heart around you neck.
What people are saying: “Highly recommend this exquisite jeweler. Excellent communication and beautiful handcrafted product. Cannot wait to wear my amazing ring!”
The vibe: Glass & stone-heavy
Price range: $$
Founder Ope Omojola’s pieces are wearable works of art. With each stone cut by hand, her jewelry enhances its source materials, and by default, enhances your whole look.
The vibe: Delicate, sinuous
Price range: $-$$$
Fans of Vrai are sure to love Khadijah Fulton’s line, White Space. The designer created Vrai’s wedding collection, but her own brand is decidedly more delicate, with items like baroque pearls and sinuous earrings that curve along the ear.
What people are saying: “Beyond expectations. Wonderful quality, versatile styling, and the sizing is a dream; [the ring I bought] fits well on my ring, middle, and forefinger. My new favorite piece for sure.”
The vibe: Striking, nature-inspired
Price range: $
Alicia Goodwin’s Lingua Nigra “is inspired by nature, with a focus on ancient talismans, Victorian era work, and mourning sentimental jewelry.” The pieces speak for themselves.
The vibe: Ethically-made, modern
Price range: $
SOKO puts people first. The jewelry and tech company empowers artisans in Kenya by offering them a tech platform that connects them with global markets. In other words, SOKO directly reaches its artisans via mobile app, cutting out the middle man. The designs themselves are modern and ideal for everyday wear.
The vibe: Avant-garde
Price range: $-$$
If your taste in jewelry is more niche, check out Angely Martinez, whose work is inspired by an avant-garde aesthetic with splashes of Baroque Rococo art.
What people are saying: “Loved the item I received and the quick turnaround time. Beautiful handcrafted earrings; can’t wait to wear them out to a show soon!”
The vibe: Chic-meets-understated
Price range: $-$$$$
Not all jewelry has to fall in the “classic” or “statement” category. Case in point: Bernard James, with pieces ranging from flower-studded cuban link chains to mixed metal bracelets, is a quiet combination of both. (Editor’s note: James’s dog wears a custom chain, as featured in ELLE.)
The vibe: Simple, colorful, mission-driven
Price range: $
Founded in 2011 by pastors Jeremiah Kuria and Zane Wilemon, Ubuntu Life originally partnered with nine moms in Kenya to help produce home goods that would support them financially. The next year, the brand expanded and started working with Maasai craftswomen in the Ngong Hills, who utilized their traditional beadwork knowledge to create beautiful bracelets. Ubuntu Life continued to grow, but its goal to support communities and provide sustainable employment has never changed.
The vibe: Artisanal, versatile
Price range: $-$$
Shayba Muhammad’s poetic brass jewelry is sensual and meditative all at once. Her designs encourage you to be intentional with your jewelry choices, whether it’s with an elegant choker or a pair of twisted hoop earrings. “I want women to feel at home with Mahnal,” she says.
What people are saying: “I looooove my Alistal necklace! It’s lightweight and comfortable and looks great with everything. I just love how the large clasp attaches directly to the links. Simple and elegant.”
The vibe: Edgy, unexpected
Price range: $-$$$
With stints at Narciso Rodriguez and Barney’s, Jameel Mohammed is an emerging design talent with a bright future. Khiry’s alluring pieces range from voluptuous curves to Horus pendants and custom fine jewelry, so we expect to see more from him soon.
The vibe: Eclectic, mythology-inspired
Price range: $-$$$
L’Enchateur is the kind of jewelry that you simply must tag in your grid post, otherwise your comment section will be flooded with “where’d you get that” questions. Founded by identical twins Dynasty and Soull Ogun and inspired by science, religion, mythology, magic, and fairy tales, even the brand’s quietest designs speak volumes.
The vibe: Sculptural, vibrant
Price range: $
Get noticed in Taylor Nikole’s jewelry. Her handmade, sculptural earrings merge art and fashion—and will ensure at least three compliments per wear. Above all, the pieces truly spark joy.
The vibe: Metal-forward, experimental
Price range: $60-$350
Experimental in nature and handcrafted in Nairobi, Kenya, Theresia Kyalo’s pieces subvert what we think of as jewelry. Her beautiful, made-to-order metalwork is truly a sight to see (and wear).
The vibe: Colorful, conceptual, quirky
Price range: $-$$
Jewelry doesn’t have to be serious, and founder Sydney Ziems and her brand Serendipitous Project will surely lift your spirits. Her colorful, conceptual designs are like a DIY project gone right, with items like carved turquoise rings bedazzled with gemstones and barrettes made of seashells.
Justine Carreon is the market editor at ELLE.com covering fashion, Dutch ovens, and fashion again.
Commerce Editor
Sam Peters is a Commerce Editor at Hearst covering fashion, beauty and more.
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