While we all know the major players in the jewelry space and the iconic styles that make them so recognized, there are a handful of new names on the scene that have caught our eye. What's more, the designers' stories are as interesting as their distinctive accessories are. Read on for the five cult-favorite brands your jewelry box might be missing.
Lauren Harwell Godfrey | Black Onyx Heart Pendant
Lauren Harwell Godfrey is the founder and designer behind Harwell Godfrey, a line of 18-karat gold and gemstone jewelry. Creativity has long been at the helm of her career: she spent over 15 years in NYC creating branded content for the likes of Adidas, Levi’s and Ray-Ban. Fast forward and Lauren landed on the West Coast, this time to pursue cooking school. She found working with her hands to be meditative, which led her to craft jewelry for her friends and fam. Now, the brand’s handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces have garnered quite the following; this summer, Harwell Godfrey donated 100% of sales from the Black Onyx Heart pendant to the NAACP, totaling $101,212.00.
Ilene Joy | Poppy Delevigne x Ilene Joy
Designer Ilene Joy’s fine jewelry brand is having something of a second act. She first launched her brand in the late ‘90s to celeb fame: the jewels were featured on Sex and the City and worn by the likes of Kate Hudson and Angelina Jolie, to name a few. After pausing on the business to raise her family, Ilene Joy came back on the scene in February 2019 with a new, modern aesthetic meshing elegance and edge. Every piece is made in house, featuring only exquisitely cut diamonds which are triple excellent quality, F color and VS clarity. Once again an instant A-list favorite, Poppy Delevingne starred in the brand's first campaign, and you might have also seen Ilene's latest designs on cool girls Gigi Hadid, Sienna Miller, Jennifer Lawrence and more.
Shalini Kasliwal | Sanjay Kasliwal
Shalini Kasliwal is the 29-year-old powerhouse at Madison Avenue mainstay Sanjay Kasliwal. It runs in the family: the lawyer-turned-jeweler works alongside her father, the brand’s creative director, heading up the boutique and running marketing and sales for the brand. The business is indeed in her blood, as Shalini draws her unique aesthetic from her diverse cultural background – her mother is Italian and her father is Indian. The result is a fresh take on traditional favorites, which have landed the brand in retailers like Just One Eye in Los Angeles, Jeffrey in Atlanta and NYC and online via Moda Operandi.
Emily P. Wheeler | Tourmaline Crystal Necklace
Emily P. Wheeler’s eponymous jewelry line is inspired by the color palettes of time and place, which might have been a problem for some designers when the quarantine changed both of those constructs as we knew them. For Emily, it was an opportunity to be inspired: she accented her LA home with Amazon-inspired florals and got to work on La Selva, her latest collection. Think rich emerald, floral pinks and bold purples mixed with 100% recycled 18 karat gold and conflict-free diamonds.
Anna Sheffield
Anna Sheffield’s namesake brand brings a new meaning to tradition. Her fine jewelry and engagement rings are as stunning as they are carefully created; just a quick browse through a handful of pieces reveals Anna’s sculpture degree. The company is committed to sustainability, so you’ll find only single origin gem sourcing, recycled gold, conflict-free diamonds and reclaimed melée.
