In the wake of George Floyd's killing and amid nationwide protests for racial justice [1], many are looking for ways to step up and advocate for the Black community. Consciously spending in solidarity and regularly shopping at Black-owned businesses is a solid place to start. After highlighting many of our favourite home decor [2], beauty [3], and fashion brands founded by talented Black creatives [4], it's time to show our love for those keeping us accessorised with chic-as-hell jewellery.
Some specialise in unique engagement rings (we see you, Valerie Madison [5]) and statement earrings (shout-out to Humans Before Handles [6]), while others offer sleek and simple pieces for everyday wear (Mateo [7] has you covered). Once you click that "add to cart" button on their items, don't stop there — follow them on social media, learn more about each company's history and mission, recommend them to your friends, and bookmark 'em for your shopping needs later on. Let's celebrate the creativity of these Black jewellery-makers and designers not just today or this week but all the time.
Third Crown
About the Brand: Third Crown is the brainchild of Kristin and Kofi Essel, a husband-and-wife team that gleans inspiration from their architectural surroundings to create gender-neutral pieces. Beyonce and Solange Knowles are big fans of their gold- and silver-plated brass designs, and so are we.
Where to Shop: Online at Third Crown [9]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @thirdcrown [10]
Jam + Rico
About the Brand: Lisette Ffolkes founded Jam + Rico as a way to creatively honour her Jamaican and Puerto Rican heritage. Her earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are a bold, colourful depiction of her roots. Be sure to check out the Aruba Collection [11], which is inspired by the Caribbean sun.
Where to Shop: Online at Jam + Rico [12]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @jamandrico [13]
Yam
About the Brand: Yam founder Morgan Thomas uses recycled metal, vintage or thrifted beads, and upcycled glass to craft her unique, sustainable pieces by hand in Queens, NY. If you were a fan of Limited Too back in the day, her rings and necklaces with flower-shaped designs will make you feel particularly nostalgic. Oh, and fun fact: Lizzo [14] wore Yam earrings in her "Good as Hell" music video!
Where to Shop: Online at Yam [15]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @yam_nyc [16]
Mateo
About the Brand: Founded by Matthew Harris, a self-taught designer born and raised in Jamaica, Mateo offers a slew of simple, minimalist pieces made of diamonds, pearls, various gemstones, and 14-karat gold. His fine jewellery designs are adored by the likes of Michelle Obama [17], Zendaya [18], Kate Hudson [19], and Kerry Washington [20], to name just a few.
Where to Shop: Online at Mateo [21], Net-a-Porter, Browns Fashion, Matches Fashion, Moda Operandi, Shopbop, Farfetch, and Goop
Where to Follow on Instagram: @mateonewyork [22]
Edas
About the Brand: NYC-based designer Sade Mims carefully makes each Edas piece by hand, drawing much inspiration from her travels. From geometric-shaped earrings to brass wire bracelets, all of her designs are one-of-a-kind. Oh, and she sells gorgeous bags, too.
Where to Shop: Online at Edas [23]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @__edas [24]
Chiegeshiuka Agu
About the Brand: After graduating from college and starting a corporate job, Chiegeshiuka Agu quickly realised she was craving more creativity in her life — so she started her own jewellery brand this year. Right now, she has two different handmade earring collections: one titled Misfits (a quirky she rightfully describes as "bomb AF") and another titled The Four Elements as a nod to fire, water, earth, and air.
Where to Shop: Online at Chiegeshiuka Agu [25]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @chiegeshiukaagu [26]
Stella & Haas
About the Brand: Owned by Jenni Kaufusi [27], Stella & Haas sells "dope accessories for all." The brand's chain necklaces and hoop earrings are particularly popular picks, but it also offers some fun rings and bracelets as well.
Where to Shop: Online at Stella & Haas [28]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @stellaandhaas [29]
JLANI
About the Brand: Since Lani Nesbit founded JLANI in 2011, the brand has been featured in campaigns for Adidas, Urban Decay Cosmetics, and Maybelline and worn by celebrities like Taraji P. Henson, Beyoncé, and Issa Rae, to name just a few. Her accessories are eco-friendly yet still easy on the wallet.
Where to Shop: Online at JLANI [30]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @jlanijewels [31]
Valerie Madison
About the Brand: A Black Latina jewellery designer based in Seattle, Valerie creates dreamy engagement rings, wedding bands, bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. All of her pieces are made with precious metals from recycled sources, and some feature unique gemstones like salt-and-pepper diamonds. Oh, and she does custom orders, too.
Where to Shop: Online at Valerie Madison [32]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @valeriemadisonjewellery [33]
Khiry
About the Brand: Jameel Mohammed [34] founded Khiry back in 2016 while studying at the University of Pennsylvania. His goal is to honour the African diaspora with modern earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and rings with a twist.
Where to Shop: Online at Khiry [35]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @khiryofficial [36]
Lelia+Mae
About the Brand: Lelia+Mae's founder, Nicole, launched the brand "out of pure adoration and love for black women," and as a way to honour her mother. "I wanted to create something, a small token to black women to empower us, provide confidence, love and make them feel beautiful as I've always seen us," Nicole told POPSUGAR. The brand's gold necklaces, rings, anklets, and earrings are sleek as can be.
Where to Shop: Online at Lelia+Mae [37]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @leliaxmaejewellery [38]
Humans Before Handles
About the Brand: Ashley Sims [39] founded Humans Before Handles "for all those who wouldn't dare leave the house without the perfect statement earring." Now that's a mission we can definitely get behind. Not to mention, her fun pieces all cost less than $50, so what are you waiting for?
Where to Shop: Online at Humans Before Handles [40]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @humansbeforehandles [41]
Auvere
About the Brand: Jamaican-born designer Gina Love founded Auvere to create high-end investment jewellery. All of her handcrafted pieces are made of 22- and 24-karat gold and feature sculptural, linear designs. Her celestial-inspired collection [42] is a can't-miss.
Where to Shop: Online at Auvere [43]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @auvere_true_gold [44]
Nirvana Wild
About the Brand: Nirvana Wild is owned by ShaKara Zulu [45], who aptly describes herself as a "crystal goddess." The brand offers a slew of layer-able necklaces, stackable rings, and beaded wrap bracelets with an affordable price tag that's pretty hard to resist.
Where to Shop: Online at Nirvana Wild [46]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @nirvana.wild [47]
Be Beadiful
About the Brand: Having taught herself how to make jewellery, Lillie Rose Woodbury started Be Beadiful after the birth of her second son. Her gorgeous earrings and necklaces star hand-picked gemstones like black rutilated quartz, peach moonstone, and sesame jasper gemstone.
Where to Shop: Online at Be Beadiful [48]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @bebeadiful_jewellery [49]
Lorraine West
About the Brand: After studying illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology and teaching herself how to create metal jewellery by hand, Lorraine West started her eponymous brand. Her one-of-a-kind rings and arm cuffs are pretty popular on the 'gram, but she also makes cool bangles, necklaces, and earrings, too.
Where to Shop: Online at Lorraine West [50]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @lorrainewestjewellery [51]
Nandi Naya
About the Brand: Self-taught jewellery designer Hleziphansi Zita named Nandi Naya after the first of her two daughters. Inspired by architecture, nature, and her South African heritage, Hleziphansi's pieces are sculptural, minimalist, and simply stunning.
Where to Shop: Online at Nandi Naya [52]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @nandi.naya [53]
ABA Jewels
About the Brand: Aja Butler-Burns [54] started ABA Jewels when she couldn't find a specific piece of jewellery she was hunting for — gold ankle cuffs, to be specific. The Miami-based creator makes each piece by hand, including gorgeous crystal necklaces and chokers, as well as stackable rings.
Where to Shop: Online at ABA Jewels on Etsy [55]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @abajewels [56]
White/Space
About the Brand: Elegant. Subdued. Versatile. These are just a few words to describe the designs of White/Space founder Khadijah Fulton. A mother of two, Khadijah designs each piece in her studio outside of Los Angeles and works with small manufacturers in the city to produce them. Her necklaces, rings, and earrings are perfect for everyday wear.
Where to Shop: Online at White/Space [57]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @whitespacejewellery [58]
Serendipitous Project
About the Brand: Sydney Ziems founded Serendipitous Project to "provide an affordable and sustainable alternative for trendy jewellery." Every item is ethically sourced and inspired by classic art and nature. Fans of the beach will definitely fall in love with all of her designs that feature seashells.
Where to Shop: Online at Serendipitous Project [59]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @serendipitousproject [60]
Peaceimages
About the Brand: Camille Peace founded Peaceimages back in 2008, and ever since then, she's been delighting customers with handmade pieces featuring vibrant colours, unique textures, and a range of materials, all of which honour her heritage.
Where to Shop: Online at Peaceimages [61]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @peaceimagesjewellery [62]
Cocoacentric
About the Brand: Obsessed with tortoise shell and acetate earrings? You've come to the right place. Cocoacentric founder LaToya McInnis [63] makes tons of 'em, along with bold tassel earrings and chic gold and silver pieces. In June, 10 percent of her sales are benefitting Until Freedom [64], in case you needed any additional incentive to shop away.
Where to Shop: Online at Cocoacentric [65]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @cocoacentric [66]
Octave Jewellery
About the Brand: Just looking through Octave Jewellery's selection is like a soothing escape for the mind. Based in Brooklyn, NY, the brand offers gorgeous earrings that feature Mother of Pearl, plus dreamy cuffs with beautiful stones. The owner will also work with you to create your own custom pieces.
Where to Shop: Online at Octave Jewellery [67]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @octave_jewellery [68]
Épifenē
About the Brand: Épifenē offers "a collection of timeless statement pieces designed by women for women" — and those two women designing 'em just so happen to be best friends brought together over a mutual love of jewellery. Every item has a dazzling touch of gold and is budget-friendly.
Where to Shop: Online at Épifenē [69]
Where to Follow on Instagram: @epifenejewellery [70]