With the holidays well underway, there are many businesses to support when making purchases for this gift-giving season.
Here are five Black-owned jewelry companies to shop from for gifts this December.
- When Smoke Clears: While this company isn’t only a jewelry company as they also sell a variety of clothes, When Smoke Clears sells everything from necklaces to rings to earrings. Amongst their products are the “Snake Ring,” the “Rise Earrings,” the “Rope Necklace” and the “Opal Necklace” amongst others. Founded by entrepreneurs K$ace & Thermal Taveras, the brand was named after a tragedy that had their first collection destroyed when their studio in New York City caught on fire. Now, When Smoke Clears incorporates fire and hearts in their designs to represent their strength. Prices of products range from $150 to $590.
- Lace by Tanya: Created by actor and model Tanaya Henry, Lace by Tanya focuses on empowering women and increasing their confidence through jewelry. Her work has been worn by multiple celebrities, including Beyonce and Alicia Keys. Lace by Tanya’s products include bracelets, body jewelry, earrings, rings, necklaces and lip laces. Prices range from $65 for a “Gold Sphere Lip Lace” to $350 for a “Crystal Ribcage” body jewelry piece.
- Octave Jewelry: Founded in 2017 in Brooklyn by jewelry designer Ope Omojola, Octave Jewelry stemmed from Omojola’s weeknight classes on jewelry design at the Y in NYC. Primarily known for their earrings, the company’s signature pieces mainly include sterling silver combined with stones and lampwork glass. Amongst their products are the sterling silver “SLOW MOTION Hoops,” the bloodstone and ruby glass “AURA Hoops” and the pink opal and blue lace agate “DUO Drops.” Prices vary, reaching up to $595 per product.
- Omi Woods: Omi Woods is a company whose main mission is to celebrate the African diaspora through jewelry. Created by entrepreneur Ashley Alexis McFarlane, the brand prides itself on using “fair trade African Gold and recycled fine metals” with gems that are significant to African cultures. Named after the word for “water” in the Yoruba language, Omi Woods is meant to honor McFarlane’s Jamaican-Akan background. Products include the “Ethiopian Cross Necklace II,” the “Sudan Bangle,” and the “Classic Half Round Ring” wedding band. Prices can vary from $59 to $1,259.
- Aflé Bijoux: Created in 2010 by artist Oukassa Wetzel, Aflé Bijoux’s main mission is to pay tribute to Wetzel’s Akan heritage. Also incorporating modern designs, her products focus on representing the Akan culture through symbolism. Handcrafted in Italy, Wetzel’s designs also focus on empowering women and giving them the ability to celebrate their womanhood through her products. Aflé Bijoux’s jewelry includes the “Royalty Adinkra Asetena Pa Afléone Bracelet,” the “Sparkle Akan Chain Bracelet” and the “Akan Goldweights Gemstones Sautoir” necklace. Prices vary and can range up to $568.
