High-End | Affordable | Black-Owned | Sustainable | Trendy

Top High-End Jewelry Brands

#1. Tiffany & Co

The Brand: Tiffany & Co. was founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis, Tiffany’s jeweler. Tiffany’s claim to fame as the first American company to win the grand prize for silver craftsmanship at the 1867 Paris World’s Fair.

Need To Know: In 1887, Tiffany & Company created a police medal of honor for a New York Police officer with an interlocking “N” and “Y.” Not long after that, the New York Yankees stole the “NY” logo and made the New York Yankees logo as we know it today. Not many people know that Charles Tiffany invented the “engagement ring.” Mr. Tiffany was the first to lift the diamond up above the band and market it in 1886.

#2. Cartier

The Brand: Cartier was founded in 1847 in Paris by Louis-François Carter. Until 1899, he handed the company to his three sons. Cartier is associated with high-class, luxury, and elegance.

Need To Know: Alfred Cartier was the first jeweler to use platinum in jewelry-making successfully. It should also be noted that Louis Cartier was the first designer to popularize the wristwatch for men.

#3. Harry Winston

The Brand: The House of Harry Winston was founded in New York City in 1932. To this day, Harry Winston continues to set the industry standard for fine jewelry and high-end watchmaking.

Need To Know: Harry Winston was known as the “King of Diamonds,” having once owned more than ⅓ of the world’s most famous gems. Few people know that Harry Winston was a secretive man. Winston had a private elevator in his office where he would see his VIP clients discretely and slip them in and out without attracting attention.

#4. Graff

The Brand: Laurence Graff OBE established Graff in London in 1960. He started the company due to his fascination with gemstones’ emotional impact on society. Since then, Graff has become a mecca of innovation, craftsmanship, and creativity. Graff also has a bi-annual magazine called “Graffiti,” launched in 2009 in both English and Chinese.

Need To Know: Graff was just 18 when he started his first company and worked alongside a more experienced jeweler. Laurence Graff handled more important diamonds than any other diamantaire of our time.

#5. Bulgari

The Brand: Bulgari was founded in Rome in 1884 by Greek silversmith Sotirio Bulgari. It didn’t take long for the company to be known for its incredible craftsmanship and unique creations. To date, Bulgari is one of Italy’s most successful jewelry houses. When Sotirio passed away in 1932, he left the company to his sons, where they established themselves as the “Masters of Coloured Gemstones.”

Need To Know: Bulgari has been known to be “The Jeweller To The Stars” and has maintained its reputation for over a century. Bulgari was often seen in actresses like Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Audrey Hepburn, and Marlene Dietrich. Not many people know that Bulgari has also expanded into the hospitality industry and become an international chain of luxury hotels with Michelin-rated restaurants.

Top Affordable Jewelry Brands

#1. Trove & Co.

The Brand: Trove & Co is a Canadian Jewelry brand based in Vancouver, Canada. They are best known for their classic designs, elegant essence, and dainty jewelry.

Need To Know: Trove & Co believes that high-quality, timeless jewelry doesn’t need to come at an outrageous price. This small family-owned business has made it its mission to make beautiful jewelry more accessible to customers of all socioeconomic classes.

#2. Mejuri

The Brand: Mejuri was founded in 2015, and just six years has had a name for itself in the jewelry industry. Mejuri is dedicated to supply-chain sustainability, quality jewelry, and community building.

Need To Know: Mejuri is best known for its Diamond Studs and their Single Colored Mini Hoop Ring.

#3. Kendra Scott

The Brand: Kendra Scott is a company founded in 2002 and has been dedicated to releasing thoughtfully crafted pieces of fine jewelry.

Need To Know: All of Kendra Scott’s products are designed in their Austin Studio, where they push the boundaries of style and innovation while staying true to their guiding principles.

#4. Made By Mary

The Brand: Made By Mary is a one-woman passion project turned successful e-commerce business. Mary started the company back in 2013 when she was a new mother and felt lost in life. She had always been drawn to jewelry and finally decided to take a leap of faith and start her own business.

Need To Know: Made By Mary is dedicated to empowering women of all backgrounds and connecting with women through impactful jewelry.

#5. Luv AJ

The Brand: Luv AJ was founded by Amanda Thomas, a passionate jewelry designer, and jewelry maker. Luv AJ has been in business for over 18 years. Amanda Thomas has since been added to the Forbes “30 under 30” list in 2015 for her work as a jewelry designer.

Need To Know: Luv Aj has been seen by celebrities such as Hailey Bieber, Bella Hadid, and Kylie Jenner.

Top Black-Owned Jewelry Brands

#1. Bychari

The Brand: Bychari was founded in 2012 by Chari Cuthbert. Buhari believes in an effortless, unique, and modern approach to jewelry. Buhari is designed for women who appreciate elegance but demand luxury.

Need To Know: Bychari is handmade sustainably in Los Angeles by Chari and her committed team.

#2. Omi Woods

The Brand: Omi Woods jewelry is a company that celebrates contemporary heirlooms that connect to Africa. Their jewelry is made ethically and is handmade with fair trade African Gold and globally sourced fine metals.

Need To Know: Omi means “water” in the Yoruba language. Together with Woods, it pays tribute to founder Ashley Alexis McFarlane’s heritage.

#3. Valerie Madison

The Brand: Valerie Madison was founded in 2009 by Valerie Madison. It began as a small Etsy business and grew slowly until June 2020. In June 2020, in light of George Floyd’s death, her online store sales quadrupled as there was more exposure to Black-owned businesses.

Need To Know: In 2021, Valerie Madison’s Fine Jewelry grew to 12 employees and continues to expand its reach and mission.

#4. Oma The Label

The Brand: Oma New York-based fashion stylist Neum Anekhe founded the Label in 2018. Neumi Anekhe noticed the lack of POC representation within the fashion industry and felt she needed to do something about it.

Need To Know: Oma The Label is best known for its gold-plated necklaces and is featured in prominent publications such as Cosmopolitan, Harpers Bazaar, InStyle, Elle, and Vogue.

#5. Harwell Godfrey

The Brand: Harwell Godfrey was founded by Lauren Harwell Godfrey, who had a passion for ancient textiles and ethnic patterns. This San Francisco Bay Area company is best known for its 18k gold collection with vivid enamel and precious gemstones.

Need To Know: Harwell Godfrey also has bespoke pieces that focus on custom jewels that tell the stories of her incredible customers.

Top Sustainable Jewelry Brands

#1. ABLE

The Brand: ABLE’s story began on a trip to Ethiopia with where the founders met women that were coming out of the commercial sex industry and needed help finding employment. ABLE is an ethical fashion brand that works to empower women and employs them as a solution to end poverty once and for all. ABLE believes in creating opportunities for women and harnessing them with the tools they need to succeed.

Need To Know: ABLE has grown from selling hand-woven scarves to a lifestyle brand that sells clothes, shoes, bags, and jewelry.

#2. Soko

The Brand: Soko is an ethical jewelry brand that connects Kenyan artisans to global markets. Soko believes in using business as a force to positively impact the world and help solve social and environmental issues.

Need To Know: Soko continues to challenge the status quo and inspire women to be the influential change-makers they have always wanted to be.

#3. Aurate

The Brand: Aurate was founded in 2015 when Sophie Kahn and Bouchra Ezzahraoui joined forces to put a contemporary spin on fine jewelry.

Need To Know: Aurate believes that everyone deserves jewelry worthy of them. Aurate works only to use durable materials that are sustainable and ultimately protect the planet.

#4. Catbird

The Brand: Catbird was founded in Brooklyn, Network in 2004. Catbird now employs over 100 people who are just as passionate about jewelry as Founder Rony is despite humble beginnings.

Need To Know: Catbird believes making jewelry has the lowest environmental impact. With this being said, Catbird works almost entirely with recycled gold and diamonds. Catbird makes everything from their Brooklyn to minimize their carbon footprint and is thoughtful about the impacts of their business decisions.

#5. Common Era

The Brand: Common Era is a 100% woman-owned, independent and self-funded business. The company has used ancient history and mythology to inspire some of its most successful creations. Common Era believes in ethical craftsmanship, so their packaging contains no plastic and is sourced out of Illinois by a small family business.

Need To Know: Common Era donates 3% of its profits to the Animal Welfare Institute. The Animal Welfare Institute is the top-rated animal organization on Charity Watch. The organization is focused on reducing animal suffering caused by humans. Common Era also maintains ongoing donations to Slaughterhouse Survivors. This charity rescues animals from dog meat farms in Harbin, China.

Top Trendy Jewelry Brands

#1. Gorjana

The Brand: Gorjana and Jason Griffin Reidel launched their first jewelry collection in 2004. This Californian couple fulfilled their first orders from their apartment floor in Laguna Beach and since then have done a complete business that has supported them both.

Need To Know: Gorjana is committed to collaboration, adaptability, and giving back to its community.

#2. Mikimoto

The Brand: Mikimoto is a Japanese jewelry brand founded in 1893 by Kokichi Mikimoto. Over the last 120 years, Mikimoto has become one of the most luxurious jewelry brands in the world.

Need To Know: Mikimoto is best known for its pearl necklaces compliment every woman.

#3. Ellie Vail

The Brand: Ellie Vail Jewelry was founded after the former celebrity stylist couldn’t find the jewelry she liked at a reasonable price point. She set out to use her creativity and her hustle to create jewelry for the everyday woman.

Need To Know: Ellie Vail has grown into one of the top fashion jewelry brands. Her brand is commonly found in large retail stores such as Urban Outfitters and Revolve. Ellie Vail Jewelry has also been seen on celebrities like Nicki Minaj, The Kardashians, Kate Hudson, Kylie Jenner, and Hailey Bieber.

#4. Foundrae

The Brand: Foundrae was founded by Murat and Beth Bugdayday in 2015. The Foundrae Collection features modern heirlooms that express yourself through jewelry.

Need To Know: Foundrae continues to be a popular pick amongst jewelry wearers since their designs are authentic, personal, classic, and most importantly, autobiographical.

#5. Chopard

The Brand: Louis- Ulysse Chopard began conquering Switzerland at the age of 24 with his creative works of art. It wasn’t long after his innovative design to Tsar Nicholas II of Russia. Chopard is one of the last family-run watchmaking and Jewellery companies.

Need To Know: It wasn’t until the 1980s when Co-President Caroline Scheufele developed the ladies’ collections and made a jewelry section that later became a high-end jewelry department.

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