5 Women-Led Jewelry Brands that Deserve the Spotlight in 2021

 

Jewelry has always decorated members of all cultures as symbols of power and prestige. This has lasted even into 2021, albeit with a greater emphasis on form than function.

These five jewelry brands are more than meets the eye, they carry essences of strength, courage, unity and wisdom. Each beautifully crafted piece has a story behind it, whether it be of unbridled imperfections or placing women in strong, leadership roles. Each brand has a message to send and the creators have worked to get even a small portion of that into the global market, but these pieces deserve to be known for their ethical production and the eloquent energy they carry. 

 

Chalk Jewellery

Shop the Emperado Navi Earrings 

Architect Malaika Carr has a passion for all things geometric, and it shows in the work for her accessories brand, Chalk Jewellery. Chalk’s collections are inspired by bold patterns and architectural elements, which is evident in pieces such as the Emperado Sola Earrings. In the past, the brand experimented with many unique materials like green marble and tortoiseshell and it has continued to push the limits of jewelry design with its bold shapes. Each piece carries a subtlety in color palette, so that it can be incorporated into nearly any ensemble. The lightweight, show-stopping earrings are handmade in London, United Kingdom, by Carr herself.

 

Pichulik

Shop the Memory Coral Earrings and Anahita Necklace

Pichulik is, in simple words, jewelry made for powerful women. Each piece is inspired by ancient traditions and is uniquely embellished with exotic materials. Seeking to celebrate and encourage narratives of strong women all over the world, Katherine-Mary Pichulik founded the brand in 2013 and it has steadily grown since. Some pieces are even crafted with a narrative in mind, like the Jade Cornocopia Earrings, which were created to embody the protective qualities of jade stone. Pichulik pieces range in size and style, from the Anahita Necklace with its gold spheres decorating the signature black cord to the Garland Hoop Earrings with blue solidate stones decorating the delicate hoops.

 

LORNE

Shop the Wild Flower Earrings

Imperfections are at the forefront of Lorne’s products, proving that everyday spontaneity deserves a place in the fashion world. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, designer Gillian Lawrence has built the brand up as the manufacturer of “sketches and doodles in metal,” with a strong belief that no piece is repeatable. Each item is uniquely crafted: pieces of twisted metal dance around one another in the Wild Flower Earrings, while gold-plated brass folds in on itself in The Art of Folding mismatched earrings. LORNE’s complex pieces can change your entire outlook on jewelry; they will put you in the mindset that accessories are necessities.

  

Soko

Shop the Twisted Dash Ring

This female-led jewelry brand has been putting out ethically made handcrafted jewelry. The company connects marginalized artisans from Kenya with the global market and is a certified B-Corp, meaning it has worked to build a more sustainable economy, and holds profit and purpose to the same standard. Soko’s latest collection features 24k gold-plated hoops, rings, chokers and cuffs. The elegant silhouettes of some pieces imitate that of raindrops, as shown in the Dash Threader and hoops, while others are twisted in knots to create the interesting and sleek Uzi Hoop Earrings. Soko makes self-expression easy with its delicate but daring staple pieces.

Third Crown 

Shop the Marcy Link Bracelet

Born from the marriage of designers Kristen and Kofi Essel, Third Crown was made to be bold. The brand was named to celebrate the coming together of two unique designers to create new, unique collections. Each piece has the perfect balance of dignity and playfulness: perfect for dressing up any wardrobe. From the Marcy Link Bracelet, an intricate interlocking of gold links; to the Prizm Drop Earrings, a pair of delicate gold hoops, Third Crown designs statement pieces for women with chic, eclectic style.

 

Words by Holly Liptak