America is known for many things – its theatres, theme parks, and monuments like the Statue of Liberty. When it comes to the world of fashion, America is famous for its rich culture of jewelry designers.
While Tiffany & Co. put New York on the map, recent years have seen dozens of American designers develop a reputation as leaders in their field.
These American brands each have their signature style and have made a name for themselves within their fashion niches.
We’re taking a deep dive into the most popular American jewelry designers, their most famous pieces, and what sets them apart from other designers. If you’ve been looking to upgrade your jewelry box, you’re in the perfect place!
1. Melissa Kaye – New York-based fine jewelry designer
Melissa Kaye is a fine jewelry designer based in New York who discovered her love for design while studying at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), a public college in New York City.
Her background in engineering has influenced her jewelry design, with a focus on streamlined silhouettes and abstract shapes. You can expect the unexpected from Melissa Kaye, whether it’s precious stones on the inside of hoops or reverse rings.
Rachel McAdams and Olivia Munn wear earrings by New York-based fine jewelry designer Melissa Kaye (Credit: PNP / WENN / Apega)
You can recognize Melissa’s jewelry instantly from its chic and contemporary designs, which are both modern and timeless.
Geometric shapes and natural patterns are Melissa’s muse, creating modern edges for classic shapes. These pieces are all about subtle and unexpected details that set Melissa’s designs apart from other fine jewelry designers.
Her jewelry is made using 18-karat gold with sapphires and diamonds, giving you stylish investment-worthy fine jewelry. Amongst the classic 18-karat gold, you’ll find pastel, and neon shades sprinkled across her collection.
Melissa Kaye is known for jewelry that is chic and current yet designed to remain timeless (Credit: Melissa Kaye)
The focus of Melissa’s jewelry is the quality of its construction, made in New York as a truly American jewelry brand.
Melissa Kaye’s best-selling pieces include the Aria cascade necklace and Aria Jane ring. Her jewelry is a firm favorite with celebrities like Hilary Swank, Lea Michele, and Jessica Alba.
You’ll regularly see celebrities wearing Melissa Kaye on the red carpet and at award shows.
2. Jennifer Behr – Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Art Graduate
Another New York-based jewelry designer is Jennifer Behr, who also creates luxury hair accessories.
Jennifer studied art history and sculpture at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, which is part of Washington University in St. Louis, before launching her luxury hair accessory brand.
She saw instant success at Bergdorf Goodman and Henri Bendel before Jennifer Behr became the foremost designer for custom headpieces. Jennifer’s designs are synonymous with romanticism and ethereal appeal.
Vanessa Hudgens wears Estee crystal star earrings and Diane Kruger wears an Ines crystal pearl headband by Jennifer Behr (Credit: DJDM / WENN / Avalon)
After becoming the leading designer for headpieces, Jennifer launched her jewelry line in 2017 with a focus on timeless elegance and modern femininity. Jennifer approaches her jewelry design as an art form, considering each piece like a sculptor.
Her recent collections combine centuries-old regalia with new and innovative designs that incorporate pearls, gold leaves, and Swarovski crystals.
Jennifer’s jewelry is made at her Brooklyn studio, where safe and sustainable business practices are at the heart of her brand. Her production team makes a limited quantity of pieces – only what is needed. Below are a couple of popular styles from Shopbop.
Models wearing Jennifer Behr’s crystal Polaris earrings and gold Tara hoops
As a ‘slow’ jewelry designer, Jennifer Behr promotes jewelry as a long-term investment. You’ll often find vintage materials used in her designs to help cut down on waste.
Jennifer Behr’s pieces are a firm favorite with celebrities, influencers, and stylists. Poppy Delevingne, Zendaya, and Vanessa Hudgens are all fans of this American jewelry designer.
3. Roxanne Assoulin – New York-based jewelry designer
Roxanne Assoulin spent four decades designing jewelry for some of the most famous jewelry brands in the world before launching her eponymous jewelry line in 2017. She’s the mother-in-law of New York-based fashion designer Rosie Assoulin.
Her finger has always been on the pulse, making Roxanne one of the great innovators of the jewelry industry.
With a focus on color and creativity, Rozanne’s jewelry is an instant serotonin boost for your closet. Her tile bracelets are a signature piece at an attainable price point that add can freshen up your closet with their rainbow color palette.
Selena Gomez wore Roxanne Assoulin’s ‘Hip-Hop But Not’ crystal earrings for her appearance on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ on January 13, 2020, in New York City (Credit: NBC)
The idea for her own jewelry brand came after Roxanne was playing around with elastic strings and colorful enamel tiles. After reaching out to Instagram influencers and magazine editors, Roxanne’s signature jewelry line was born to instant success.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly contemporary designer to add to your jewelry box, Roxanne Assoulin is a perfect choice. These designs are fun and quirky, letting you add your personality to any outfit.
4. Kendra Scott – Austin, Texas, Jewelry Entrepreneur
Kendra Scott is an American jewelry designer who believes we’re thoughtfully and joyfully connected through beautiful jewelry. Her fun and quirky designs are contemporary, with an effortlessly chic feel.
Established in 2002, Kendra’s namesake jewelry brand is popular with fans of preppy fashion and elevated basics.
Canadian-American television host Pat Kiernan and jewelry designer Kendra Scott hosted the American competition/reality television series Crowd Rules in 2013 (Credit: Brian To / WENN)
She was inspired to design jewelry by her love for natural gemstones, seeing a space in the market for high-quality pieces and gemstones at an attainable price point.
Kendra creates innovative and high-quality pieces every season with a focus on natural materials. Her designs represent attainable luxury for the modern woman.
What makes Kendra Scott’s jewelry different is the philanthropy at the heart of her brand. A portion of her brand’s annual profits goes directly to support women and children’s causes to better lives, unlock education, and improve opportunities.
Kendra Scott with her second husband, Matt Davis, whom she married in 2014 and divorced in 2020 (Credit: Rob Rich / WENN)
Kendra designs her jewelry from her Austin studio, thoughtfully designing pieces that work for your everyday lifestyle.
While pushing the boundaries of design and innovation, Kendra stays true to her founding principles of color, gemstones, and offering a luxury product at an attainable price point.
Below are her popular Sophia drop earrings that you can buy at Nordstrom.
Intricately textured with leafy indentations, these lovely drop earrings from American jewelry designer Kendra Scott feature a subtly curved silhouette that finishes your look with understated femininity
Among Kendra’s best-selling designs is the Elisa pendant that you can buy at Amazon. It is a signature piece available in a variety of gemstone options and colorways.
Available at Nordstrom, the Ari pendant takes the aesthetic of Elisa and transforms it into a heart-shaped pendant.
5. David Yurman – First jeweler to combine sterling silver with diamonds
When it comes to luxury jewelry, David Yurman is in a league of his own. This jewelry designer has transformed the world of minimalist jewelry with his signature silver and gold pieces.
David Yurman’s namesake jewelry brand has 33 boutiques in the United States and 11 internationally.
Yurman’s success came in 1977 when he was one of 12 jewelry designs to be invited to exhibit their work at the first New Designer Gallery at New York’s Retail Jewelers of America Show.
Yara Shahidi and Mariah Carey wear earrings by American jewelry designer David Yurman (Credit: Avalon / WENN / FayesVision)
For the next two decades, Yurman would be seen as the foremost American jewelry designer for contemporary pieces.
1982 saw the creation of Yurman’s signature piece – the cable bracelet. This twisted helix bracelet has a gemstone on the end cap, becoming one of Yurman’s most iconic and best-selling designs.
Yurman has received two significant design trademarks in the United States, with the cable bracelet becoming a trend of its own across the US.
Yurman is known for his use of mixed metals, particularly sterling silver and gold. He was one of the first to set pave diamonds in sterling silver with his ‘silver ice’ collection. His contemporary stone cuts, such as his Albion cushion cut, are another signature style.
Actress Ashley Olsen (L) and jewelry designer David Yurman attend the “Everywhere At Once” screening presented by Harper’s Bazaar at the Hearst Tower on April 29, 2008, in New York City (Credit: Patricia Schlein / WENN)
It’s not just women that Yurman designs jewelry for. Yurman uses non-traditional materials in his menswear collection, including carbon fiber, meteorite, and titanium.
Yurman’s brand ambassadors have included some of the most recognizable supermodels in the world, such as Nina Dobrev, Yara Shahidi, and Zoe Saldana.
6. Jennifer Meyer – Los Angeles-based jewelry designer
On the West Coast, Jennifer Meyer is a fine jewelry designer born and raised in Los Angeles. She was inspired to step into the jewelry industry as she saw jewelry as more than just an accessory but as an extension to the person wearing it.
For Jennifer, jewelry can be a symbol of celebration, love, and luck. It’s a way of reflecting and commemorating the milestones in your life.
Jennifer worked for some of the biggest names in the fashion industry – including Giorgio Armani and Ralph Lauren – before following her creative vision and launching her self-named brand in 2005.
American actor and film producer Tobey Maguire and jewelry designer Jennifer Meyer filed for divorce in October 2020, four years after announcing their split on October 18, 2016 (Credit: Fabrizio Picco / WENN)
Like most of us, Jennifer’s love for jewelry came from her grandmother when she learned about enamel from her grandmother, who was an artist in California. Jennifer’s jewelry designs reflect her philosophy of being authentic and unique, with a personality that always sparkles.
Jennifer’s jewelry design is a means for her to pay homage to those who have inspired her throughout her life, as well as allowing her to reconnect to her California roots.
Every piece of Jennifer Meyer jewelry is made by hand in her Los Angeles studio. Her brand ethos is that true luxury is effortless, everything loves more stylish with a smile, and that sophistication is always sexy.
Tobey Maguire and Jennifer Meyer met in early 2003 and married in 2007 in an intimate wedding ceremony in Hawaii (Credit: WENN / Vallenilla)
She was the runner-up of the CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund in 2012, as well as being nominated for the CFDA Swarovski Award for Accessories in 2013.
7. Adina Reyter – One of Megan Markle’s favorite jewelry brands
Adina Reyter is an American designer who takes her inspiration from the idea that happiness is a choice we make every day. Her fine jewelry comes at a transparent price point with hopefulness at the heart of her design ethos.
You’ll find everything from pave diamond necklaces to 14k gold chains that are designed to wear from day to night and to enjoy every day.
Available at Shopbop, Adina Reyter’s fine jewelry is designed for women who live life with a sense of possibility, happiness, and strength with everything they do.
Models wearing a 14k baguette bar post earrings and a 14k yellow gold necklace by Los Angeles native Adina Reyter
Adina was inspired to launch her self-named jewelry brand as a thought project. Her fine jewelry and lifestyle prices are priced at an attainable price point, allowing women to buy themselves beautiful pieces to enjoy every day.
Each piece acts as a reminder of the beauty and strength within each of us. Her jewelry sits at a mid-tier price point as investment pieces that you can buy yourself as a milestone and heirloom piece.
Adina Reyter’s jewelry shot up in popularity after Meghan Markle was photographed wearing her solid pave teardrop necklace.
8. Kate Spade – American luxury fashion design house
While Kate Spade was famous for her handbags and accessories, her jewelry was amongst her most popular pieces – and remains the brand’s best-sellers. At the heart of Kate Spade’s designs was a quirky personality with an infinity for novelty designs.
Before Kate Spade launched her fashion brand in 1993, she worked at the accessories department at Mademoiselle magazine, becoming Senior Fashion Editor/Head of Accessories.
It was during her time at Mademoiselle that Kate spotted a gap in the market for stylish and affordable accessories.
Cynthia Rowley (L) and Kate Spade attend a book party in New York City on April 26, 2007 (Credit: Flashpoint / WENN)
In the 1990s, Anna Wintour famously said that you couldn’t walk a block in New York without seeing a Kate Spade purse or backpack. This early success led to Kate Spade quickly branching out to jewelry and other accessories.
Most of these jewelry pieces incorporated the signature spade logo, along with a seasonal novelty collection. It wasn’t unusual to see animals and food like leopards, dogs, and apples transformed into jewelry.
After selling her namesake brand, Kate Spade launched her second fashion brand, Frances Valentine. This brand carried across the vintage-inspired aesthetic of her first brand, including statement jewelry pieces that have the same quirky feel as Kate Spade.
Dainty ladybugs hang from cubic zirconia–lined huggie hoops in these red Kate Spade earrings that make casual ensembles playful
The early Frances Valentine collections were based on the final designs made by Kate Spade before her death in 2018.
9. Tory Burch – American designer and entrepreneur
If you want jewelry that reinterprets classic pieces with a contemporary twist, look no further than Tory Burch. Her jewelry is a budget-friendly alternative to luxury designer brands like Chanel.
Tory Burch is as synonymous with the New York fashion scene as Carrie Bradshaw’s classic Manolos. Her designs focus on clean lines and minimalistic detailing and silhouettes, along with pared-back color palettes.
Before launching her self-named brand in 2004, Tory Burch worked for Vera Wang, Loewe, Polo Ralph Lauren, and Harper’s Bazaar. Her jewelry designs traditionally coordinate with her popular handbags and accessories, incorporating her signature ‘T’ monogram.
Smooth enamel surrounds glinting double-T logos in these small blue and gold hoop earrings from Tory Burch
Pearls, enamel, and gold are signature aspects of her designs that carry across almost all of her jewelry collections. If you’re in the market for elevated jewelry without breaking the bank, Tory Burch is a perfect choice.
10. Lorraine Schwartz – Bespoke high jewelry designer
With over 700k followers on Instagram, Lorraine Schwartz is a contemporary jewelry designer with a loyal fan base. Her website claims that she is “responsible for some of the most iconic jewelry moments of the 21st century”.
She’s a third-generation diamond dealer and high jewelry designer who has worked with some of the most influential people in the world, including A-list celebrities and royalty.
Halsey wears Lorraine Schwartz earrings at the 2018 MTV Movie And TV Awards and the 2018 Billboard Music Awards (Credit: Avalon / WENN)
The designer first rose to mainstream popularity after Angelina Jolie appeared at the 2009 Oscars wearing emerald earrings by Schwartz that were valued at $2.5 million.
Schwartz had already built a presence within the American jewelry market before Jolie added her star power to the brand.
Halle Berry was the first celebrity to appear in Lorraine Schwartz jewelry in 2002. Schwartz has also designed jewelry for Cate Blanchett, Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, and Kelly Rowland. For the 10th anniversary of EPSN Magazine, she created a 30-carat logo out of diamond and rubies.
She collaborated with Kimora Lee Simmons and Russell Simmons on the 2007 ‘Art for Life’ gala and made her first pop-culture appearance in Beyonce’s 2006 song, ‘Upgrade U’.
American bespoke high jewelry designer Lorraine Schwartz (L) and French model Noémie Lenoir (Credit: PNP / WENN)
Lorraine Schwartz is most famous for creating the 15-carat engagement ring that Kanye West gave Kim Kardashian.
In 2009, Schwartz created the ‘Shulamit Benjamini Sandberg Medical Research Grant’ that supports cancer research in honor of the jewelry designer’s late mother.
Lorraine Schwartz’s current collection includes the Against Evil Eye open spring cuff, 2B Happy necklace, and Lucky Monkey necklace.
Her jewelry focuses primarily on vibrant colored precious stones that are guaranteed to make you the center of attention wherever you go. You’ll find a mixture of 18-karat gold, rose gold, and white gold diamonds amongst Schwartz’s collection.
11. Anita Ko – Los Angeles-born jewelry designer
Based in Los Angeles, Anita Ko is a fine jewelry designer that focuses on premium design and style that doesn’t sacrifice quality.
This internationally renowned brand creates contemporary pieces with a unique twist, blending modern femininity with classic sophistication. Whether you’re heading to a red-carpet event or want a signature piece, Anita Ko offers something for everyone.
Hailee Steinfeld wears Anito Ko’s 18k gold large baguette diamond hoops at the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on February 9, 2020, in Beverly Hills, California (Credit: WENN / Avalon)
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Anita Ko started designing jewelry professionally in 2003. Three years later, she launched her eponymous brand.
Famous for her craftsmanship and synonymous with her impeccable attention to detail, her jewelry collection is both aspirational and accessible. It is ideal for those who want to invest in their first luxury fine jewelry piece.
Along with her signature collection, Anita Ko also offers one-of-a-kind and bespoke jewelry for some of the top collectors in the world.
She won the Couture Award for the People’s Choice at the annual Couture Jewelry Show in 2016 for one of her bespoke designs.
Jessica Alba wears three sets of diamond earrings from Anita Ko at the 2019 Baby2Baby Gala Presented By Paul Mitchell at 3LABS on November 9, 2019, in Culver City, California (Credit: Avalon / WENN)
Anita Ko is a favorite amongst both royalty and Hollywood A-listers, including Kate Upton, Amber Heard, Emma Roberts, and Jennifer Aniston.
Her jewelry frequently appears in publications like Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, Vogue, W, and The New York Times.
You can purchase Anita Ko’s collections at some of the most popular luxury retailers, including Farfetch, Net-a-Porter, and Saks Fifth Avenue. Anita Ko’s Instagram describes her as a “luxury jewelry designer with a twist.”
12. Eva Fehren – Jewelry by Eva Fehren Zuckerman and Ann Gorga
Eva is a designer and artist born and raised in New York’s West Village.
Her inspiration comes from the energy of New York City, everyday life, and juxtaposing beauty and grit. The brand was founded in 2011 by designer-artist Eva Fehren Zuckerman and her business partner Ann Gorga.
Amber Heard wears Eva Fehren earrings at the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures’ ‘Justice League’ at Dolby Theatre on November 13, 2017, in Hollywood, California (Credit: FayesVision / WENN)
Offering everything from grey diamonds to opaque sapphires and white diamonds that suit any occasion, New York’s influence appears in almost every aspect of Fehren’s designs.
Eva Fehren Zuckerman studied fine art at Cooper Union before making her way into the world of jewelry design, focusing on symmetrical shapes.
Her approach to fine jewelry focuses on fine jewelry designed for layering to create a statement look. Eva Fehren’s most famous design is the X ring, known for its understated minimalism.
The brand was established with Fehren’s business partner, Anne Gorga. The designs take their inspiration from the geometric urban patterns and architectural elements that New York is famous for. These muses include the Chrysler Building, the intricate patterns of cracked sidewalks, and the crisscrossing of power lines.
Vanessa Hudgens wears Eva Fehren five fringe drop earrings at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017, in Inglewood, California (Credit: Apega / WENN)
The purpose behind Eva Fehren’s designs is to give women a way to build looks that allow them to express their personalities with unique designs.
Every piece in the Eva Fehren jewelry line is synonymous with high-quality craftsmanship and wearability. Each piece in the collection is made using 18k gold with precious stones, including diamonds and sapphires.
13. Jacquie Aiche – Mixing Native American heritage with Middle Eastern influences
Jacquie Aiches’ luxury fine jewelry is handmade ‘with love’ in Los Angeles. Every piece of Jacquie Aiche jewelry is designed to help empower women using hand-selected minerals and crystals to inspire love and beauty within the wearer.
These pieces are designed to be more than just fine jewelry – they’re personal amulets designed to inspire you.
Saoirse Ronan wearing Jacquie Aiche pave diamond opal and beetle wing earrings at the 9th Annual Australian Academy Of Cinema And Television Arts (AACTA) International Awards held at SkyBar at the Mondrian Los Angeles on January 3, 2020, in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California (Credit: Avalon / WENN)
Raised in a multicultural home with both Egyptian and American parents, she was inspired to create her own line of jewelry after working in a boutique where she struggled to find jewelry that she could make a connection with.
Jacquie saw jewelry as a way of making a connection, describing how there ‘something eternal in the way that jewelry can make women feel…it’s like magic”.
After she started to design her jewelry, Jacquie originally started selling anonymously. Once she saw the reaction to her jewelry, Jacquie Aiche knew it was what she was destined to do.
The Jacquie Aiche jewelry brand has a loyal community known as the JA tribe. The collection is designed with pieces made for layering, allowing you to personalize your signature jewelry pieces.
Every design is based on feeling and intuition, with gemstones carrying special properties to promote healing and happiness.
Jacquie Aiche 14K yellow gold herringbone necklace and 14kt gold topaz Burst diamond ring
Every piece is more than just an accessory. They’re a talisman of energy to give you what you need – confidence, love, clarity, or calmness. Jacquie Aiche’s jewelry combines minerals, diamonds, and gold to create unique contemporary pieces.
14. Jennifer Fisher – Raised in California, New Yorker at Heart
Jennifer Fisher is an American designer specializing in brass and custom fine jewelry. Based in New York City, this American designer has developed a cult following on social media for her minimalistic jewelry.
The first Jennifer Fisher piece was a necklace she designed for herself after the birth of her son, Shane. She designed a talisman to represent her son’s birth, creating a 14-carat gold dog tag that was hand stamped with her son’s name.
Jennifer Fisher got her breakthrough when Uma Thurman wore one of her necklaces on the cover of the July 2006 Glamour magazine (Credit: Glamour)
Within months, LA’s elite was trying to get their hands on their version of the necklace. After Uma Thurman appeared on the cover of Glamour wearing a Jennifer Fisher necklace, the brand was born.
The eponymous jewelry brand is no stranger to the editorial fashion scene. You’ll regularly see Jennifer Fisher jewelry on the pages of Vogue, Porter, People, and T Magazine.
The ‘press’ section of the brand’s website gives you an idea of the designer’s global reach, including in Europe and beyond. Jennifer Fisher jewelry regularly appears on the celebrities like Jennifer Lopez, Cara Delevingne, and Elizabeth Banks.
Curious as to what celebrities are fans of Jennifer Fisher? A quick glance at the ‘celebrity’ page on her website will show you everyone from Hollywood royalty to Michelle Obama and the Kardashian sisters.
Jennifer Fisher is an American jewelry designer based in New York City (Credit: Brian To / WENN)
Jennifer Fisher’s Instagram account describes the brand as “customizable fine and fashion jewelry with a side of salt”. Along with being a jewelry designer, Jennifer Fisher is also a foodie.
She shares her favorite recipes and latest creations on her @jenniferfisherkitchen Instagram page.
As a leading American jewelry designer, Jennifer Fisher is a member of the CFDA (Council of Fashion Designers of America) and has been nominated for various awards, including the CFDA Swarovski Accessories Award and the 2020 and 2019 Accessory Designer of the Year Awards.
American jewelry designers are almost some of the most popular and influential in the world.
While we often think of Tiffany & Co. as the leading American jewelry brand – synonymous with its little blue boxes – dozens of American jewelers are leaving their mark on the industry.
These fourteen American jewelry designers represent a broad spectrum of options, whether you want fine jewelry or everyday pieces.