6 Black-Owned Brands That Will Make Your Jewelry Box Shine

Jun 19

On Juneteenth, and beyond

Today marks Juneteenth—a commemoration of June 19, 1865, when the last African Americans were freed from slavery in Galveston, Texas. It’s a time to celebrate Black culture, and for all Americans to reflect on the meaning of freedom and continue the fight for equality—and that includes supporting Black-owned businesses (today, and every day).

In honor of the occasion, we’re highlighting some of our favorite Black-owned jewelry brands. From intentional designs made with ethical materials, to statement pieces with stories to tell, these brands are making moves to break down conventional ideas and establish a new narrative in the jewelry industry. But don’t just shop from these talented designers today—bookmark them for inspiration, wish-list adds, and special-occasion purchases all year round.

WHITE/SPACE

In art and design, “white space” refers to areas intentionally left blank to enhance the overall aesthetic. With her minimalist jewelry, Khadijah Fulton aims to enhance the beauty of the wearer while providing a vessel to hold precious sentiments and emotions. Her designs often incorporate pearls, many of which are sourced from the last pearl farm in Tennessee.

Khiry

Jameel Mohammad founded Khiry in 2016, while he was a sophomore in college studying political science at the University of Pennsylvania. After he was told by a CEO of a global luxury goods company that true luxury brands could only emerge from Paris and Milan, he was inspired and determined to create a new vision of luxury—one that challenges conventions of luxury goods and celebrates Black culture.

Auvere

Auvere is a combination of many things. The name derives from AU (the elemental symbol for gold) and the latin word “vere,” meaning “true.” The brand itself is the brainchild of Gina Love, and her husband Steven—partners in life, and in business. Inspired by history, travel, and minimalist architectural design, Auvere’s pieces are made exclusively from 22 and 24 karat gold, giving customers a way to indulge their passion for jewelry while reaping the values and benefits of investment-grade precious metal.

Harwell Godfrey

Lauren Harwell Godfrey is known for her eye-catching pieces with bold geometric patterns, colorful gemstones, and distinctive inlay. Inspired by the African diaspora, her work incorporates references from vintage textiles and ethnic patterns. Her Charity Hearts series, which depicts a broken heart pieced back together with thoughtfully selected inlaid gemstones, reflects a deep commitment to social causes. She donates 100% of the proceeds from her Charity Hearts to various non-profits, including the NAACP, Human Rights Campaign, and World Central Kitchen.

Octave Jewelry

Brooklyn-based designer Ope Omojola specializes in creating “wearable sculpture.” Fascinated by gemstones and inspired by art, anthropology, and science, her work celebrates the raw natural beauty of the earth’s ancient, organic art form—stone. She strategically hand cuts each gem from its raw form to enhance its individual character, then assembles them into bold, statement-making shapes.

Omi Woods

As a descendant of runaway Ashanti slaves, founder Ashley Alexis McFarlane creates contemporary heirlooms—treasured pieces that can be passed down to future generations, allowing African heritage to live on. Each piece is crafted with fair-trade African gold and globally-sourced, conflict-free fine metals. Omi Woods is dedicated to sourcing their materials from small-scale artisanal mines that pay miners a fair wage and contribute to improved healthcare, education, safety, and living conditions.

Editor: Rebecca Daly
Wordsmith: Sam Van deWalle

Every item featured is personally selected by our writers and editors (read: we're totally into it). Please know that when you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission (read: we get to keep doing what we love).