I’m a sucker for some jewellery, folks. As a teen with few resources, I grew up coveting the Mr Price four-pack hoops to scouring Identity’s accessories rack for sale items. There was a dark time where I piled on the beaded bracelets, feather earrings and cheap “silver” rings circa Ke$ha 2010. As the years have gone by, I’ve changed up the kind of jewellery I wear. So here’s a list of local jewellery designers I love and have bought from (with some honourable mentions I wish I could afford).

Yellow Jewellery

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm-Sj6KFpLT/?hl=en&taken-by=yellowjewellery

I’m a huge fan of Jessica’s work, and have the earrings and necklaces to boot. Jessica Lea is the brains behind this brand and according to the official website, Yellow Jewellery is all about manufacturing locally from sustainable and ethical sources, with each piece made in her Woodstock studio. You can shop her stuff online or visit her site to find out about stockists near you.

Lichen & Leaf 

Bold and beautiful can be used to describe Lichen & Leaf’s aesthetic. The Cape Town-based multi-disciplinary studio, started by makes gorgeous polymer clay earrings along with block printed fabrics. I wasn’t into statement earrings bc #minimal but these won over my heart. You can check out the official online store or visit the Old Biscuit Mill if you’d like to purchase.

Folklorika

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm3paFtgAsi/?taken-by=folklorika.studio

Launched in 2013 by Simone Toerien, Folklorika is a jewellery line based in Hermanus. The aesthetic reminds me of moody woodland nymph/faerie energy, but her official site describes her work being “inspired by ancient folktales and traditions, passed intimately between centuries.”  So there’s that. You can visit her site to browse and purchase her stuff online.

A Bird Named Frank (ABNF)

A Cape Town-based jewellery label run by duo Caryn Fourie and Peter Campbell that focuses on minimalist design. The line is inspired by Japanese aesthetics and it’s perfect for that very cool understated #minimalist friend of yours. I didn’t think I’d like brass and silver as a combination, but I do now (growth!). The official site states, “We see jewellery as fundamental to the human psyche; a second skin that makes a cool motherf*cker out of anyone.” Well, sign me tf up, guys.

Lorne

Chances are, you’ve probably seen some of Gillian Lawrence’s work in a magazine or two. According to the official site, LORNE is a contemporary line that focuses on producing constant loose designs of one of a kind pieces. If you want to check out her stuff, visit her online store or check out the official stockists.

Honourable mentions

Thanks for reading!

– A