18 beautiful jewelry gifts handmade by L.A. makers
Some people may favor experiences over physical things when it comes to gifts, but let’s be real: Few can resist the beauty and charm of jewelry.
From delicate pearls and reiki-infused gold chains to hand-foraged wildflowers set in resin, there is something for everyone on this year’s jewelry roundup.
And like last year's list, all of them are made in Southern California.
If you make a purchase using some of our links, the L.A. Times may be compensated.
Aracheli Studio one-of-a-kind earrings
Vintage-loving jeweler Araceli Concordia handcrafts unique twists on jewelry classics with repurposed materials, and her beaded earrings for Aracheli Studio — made from vintage German glass beads — are no exception.
$80-$265 at Aracheli Studio
J. Hannah demi signet
This demi signet is a petite counterpart to the J. Hannah classic signet and designed to be worn on the pinky. The signet measures 5 millimeters in diameter and is available in 100% recycled 14-karat gold or sterling silver. It's hand-fabricated in Los Angeles. To make it even more personal — isn't jewelry always personal? — two laser-engraved font options are available.
$195-$495 at J. Hannah
Melinda Maria 'What Dreams Are Made of' white opal necklace
Melinda Maria’s 17- to 20-inch white opal necklace pairs nicely with shorter strands if your giftee loves to wear a layered stack. The crescent moon inspires the handcrafted necklace, which symbolizes female empowerment. The necklace is available in 18-karat gold plated over brass or silver plated over brass with nine white simulated opals.
$108 at Melinda Maria
CLED Loop chain bracelet
Breathing new life into what most would consider trash, L.A.-based sustainable jewelry brand CLED takes discarded glass and transforms it into unisex accessories. The Loop chain bracelet, which comes in sterling silver and gold vermeil and various recycled glass colors, was created, according to the brand's website, “to show we are all together despite being separated in many ways.”
$290 for silver and $350 for gold vermeil at CLED
Yessayan Cuban link diamond princess pendant necklace
Give the feeling of old-school Hollywood glamour — without the Harry Winston price tag — with Yessayan’s Cuban link diamond princess pendant necklace. The necklace is available in 18-karat yellow and white gold.
$350 at Yessayan
Georgia ic25 Leda rings
Inspired by the work of acclaimed Asian American designer Isamu Noguchi, Georgia ic25’s Leda rings are designed “to emulate the organic outlines used in Noguchi's sculptures." Each glass ring, which comes in milky white, yellow, blue, green and clear, is unique because of its hand-fired nature. A portion of the proceeds from the Leda rings will go to the Immigrant History Initiative, which focuses on Asian American stories of immigrant diaspora.
$129 at Georgia ic25
Jennie Kwon petite studs
Perfect for single, double or triple pierced ears, Jennie Kwon's gold mini studs depicting ladybugs, clovers, leaves, palm trees and L.A. love (with a heart) complement other studs beautifully. Each earring is sold as a single, measuring 3.7 millimeters to 4.9 millimeters. They are available in 14-karat yellow, rose and white gold.
$115 at Jennie Kwon
Made Solid leather and bead bracelet
Made Solid’s colorful assortment of antique African trade beads, sewn onto a cognac latigo leather strap, is just the thing for the person with everything. Each bracelet is handmade by Peter Maxwell using beads from West Africa, Kenya and Tanzania, and finished with an antique two-hole bone-button and leather-loop closure. The bracelet is available in three sizes.
$70 at Made Solid
Mara Scalise disc chain anklet
Mara Scalise’s sparkling chain anklet is ideal for the person on your list who likes to go barefoot. The 14-karat gold-filled chain is 10 inches long and is reiki-infused — meaning it's said to offer healing energy — by Scalise.
$170 at Mara Scalise
Cast & Clover botanical earrings
Inspired by nature, Maya Holland of Cast & Clover hand forages and assembles each piece of jewelry in her Los Angeles studio. Her hand-pressed, ethically foraged flowers are cast in resin and then turned into jewelry, bookmarks, hair accessories and home decor.
$32-$40 at Cast & Clover
Carter Eve weightless hoops with ankh dagger charm
Who can resist hoop earrings, especially ones with an empowering ankh dagger charm for protection? For a splurge on a timeless favorite, invest in Santa Monica jewelry designer and goldsmith Carter Eve's weightless hoops, which are 1½ inches in diameter and can be worn with or without charms. The hoops come in 14-karat yellow, white and rose gold.
$700 at Carter Eve
Lili T. California pebble ring
Fans of the Mojave Desert will appreciate this hand-sculpted bronze ring by Lili Tanner for Lili T. California. Each piece as well as her custom leather goods are handmade in Tanner's Twentynine Palms studio, including a new Desert Findings charm necklace ($175).
$190 at Lili T. California
Civetta Los Angeles tiger's eye gemstone earrings
Influenced by her yoga practice, Michelle Thomas creates jewelry with meaning and purpose, including these earrings composed of tiger’s eye stones, which are said to balance emotional and physical well-being.
$69 at Civetta Los Angeles
Ariel Gordon dual birthstone ring
You’ll have fun customizing Ariel Gordon’s handmade dual birthstone ring, which features two birthstones set in a slim open-cuff gold band. Pair your giftee’s birthstone with that of a loved one or simply choose two of their favorite stones. The ring is available in all 12 birthstones.
$295-$330 at Ariel Gordon
Carrie Hoffman Kiki pearl bracelet
Carrie Hoffman’s update on a traditional strand of pearls already feels like a modern classic that will never go out of style. The bracelet, which measures seven inches in length, comes in 14-karat gold and looks chic layered with other gold chains.
$238 at Carrie Hoffman
Logan Hollowell X JA Akasha mala bead bracelet
The mala bead bracelet might be a thoughtful addition to your loved one's meditation practice. The one-size-fits-most bracelet, which can help with breath work as a focus point during meditation, is available in onyx, blue tiger’s eye or labradorite and features a pyramid-shaped brass merkaba bead that is believed to help facilitate balance.
$275 at Logan Hollowell
Awe Inspired woman power necklace
Take an online quiz and find the goddess that suits your loved one. Is it an Egyptian or Greek goddess? Or a contemporary hero such as Ruth Bader Ginsburg? The Los Angeles brand’s “tokens of empowerment” feature mythical goddesses and real-life heroes, as seen in the woman power necklace, inspired by the Venus symbol and a protesting fist. The necklace comes in sterling silver and 14-karat gold vermeil, with two chain lengths and six chain styles.
Starting at $90 at Awe Inspired
Gorjana bespoke Parker plate necklace
Give your loved one a sentiment to take with them everywhere with Gorjana's bar gold-plated link chain. You can get the necklace engraved by choosing from four fonts, or consider opting for a symbol.
$135 at Gorjana
Prices and availability of items in the Gift Guide are subject to change.
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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
