Step into the world of these African jewellery designers whose designs capture culture, beauty, and the spirit of Africa.
Jewellery has always fascinated me — its effortless power to transform the simplest outfit into something unforgettable. One piece can tell a story, celebrate heritage, and make you feel completely, undeniably yourself.
African jewellery designers take this artistry to remarkable heights. They weave together tradition, innovation, and contemporary design, creating pieces that are far more than accessories; they’re bold expressions of identity and culture.
In this piece, we’re spotlighting nine African jewellery designers who excel in their craft. Each brings a distinct voice, vision, and touch of brilliance to the world of jewellery.
Pichulik showcases feminine strength
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There’s something instantly recognisable about a Pichulik piece: the weight of the rope, the sculptural curve, the confidence it exudes. Founded in Cape Town in 2013 by Katherine-Mary Pichulik, the brand celebrates feminine strength and storytelling through design.
Each piece is handmade by women artisans using repurposed rope, brass, and semi-precious stones. The result is jewellery that feels architectural and deeply human. Pichulik doesn’t just decorate the body, it honours it, empowering the wearer with every loop, knot, and curve.
Get familiar with the cultural designs of Adele Dejak
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Few designers capture the drama of African style quite like Adele Dejak. A Nigerian living and designing in Nairobi, she creates bold, sculptural pieces that command attention without saying a word. Her jewellery, crafted from recycled brass, aluminium, horn, and leather, carries a strong sense of cultural rhythm — African at heart, yet cosmopolitan in spirit.
There’s poetry in her precision: every detail feels intentional. Adele’s work celebrates the woman who is both rooted, restless, strong and sensuous all at once.
Azza Fahmy is the master of material storytelling
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No conversation about African jewellery designers is complete without Azza Fahmy, the celebrated Egyptian artist who began her career as the first woman to train in Cairo’s historic Khan El-Khalili jewellery quarter. Her designs fuse Arabic calligraphy, Pharaonic symbols, and folk motifs into intricate, timeless pieces.
Each item carries cultural depth, bridging Egypt’s ancient heritage with contemporary craftsmanship. Azza Fahmy’s jewellery is more than luxury; it’s legacy, artistry, and storytelling in pure form.
Explore architectural beauty with Inkaturah
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Founded by architect Phathi Katurah Hlongwane, Inkaturah reimagines African design through the precision of structure and the intimacy of craft. Her pieces feel like wearable architecture: angular, modern, and bold. Yet beneath the geometry lies emotion; each design tells a story about womanhood, balance, and beauty.
Inkaturah’s jewellery moves between art and adornment, reminding us that strength and softness are not opposites; they coexist.
Lafalaise Dion celebrates all women
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When you see Lafalaise Dion’s work, you feel its power before you understand it. She draws inspiration from Bondoukou in Ivory Coast, where she is from. Transforming cowrie shells — symbols of femininity, spirituality, and wealth — into striking, sculptural pieces. Her creations are dramatic yet deeply symbolic, carrying the spirit and strength of African womanhood.
Her creations are bold acts of reclamation, urging Africans to embrace the sacredness of their heritage. Lafalaise’s jewellery has graced global icons, including Beyoncé, but its essence remains deeply personal, where identity, pride, and the divine energy of the African woman remain paramount.
Read also: The sacred adornment: A spiritual history of jewellery in African culture
Celebrate milestones with Gbenga Artsmith
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There’s warmth in Gbenga Artsmith’s work and a sense of celebration that shines through every piece. Founded by Gbenga Ayo-Dada in Lagos in 2008, Artsmith Collections brings together tradition and modern sophistication. Using precious and semi-precious stones, he creates pieces that feel both regal and delicate.
Gbenga’s jewellery often marks life’s milestones, such as weddings, birthdays, triumphs, and each piece is made with joy and celebration at its core. His work reminds us that craftsmanship, when done with heart, can become legacy.
Ami Doshi Shah speaks to the soul
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Ami Doshi Shah work is an exploration of contrast where rough meets smooth, raw meets refined. Based in Nairobi, Ami transforms aged brass, salt crystals, sisal rope, and volcanic rock into breathtaking works of wearable art. Her “Salt of the Earth,” exhibited at the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Brooklyn Museum, established her as a pioneer of sculptural African design. Her pieces feel almost meditative, each one a study in texture, material, and meaning.
Unrefyned studio crafts for minimalists
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Based in Lagos, Unrefyned Studio is a brand rooted in slow living and intentional design. Their philosophy is simple yet profound: craft beautiful, sustainable jewellery that honours the hands that make it.
Working with skilled artisans across Africa, Unrefyned pieces are both contemporary and culturally grounded. You’ll find clean lines, sculptural silhouettes, and a quiet sophistication that speaks volumes. It is ethical luxury for those who love meaningful minimalism.
XITA is for every rebel at heart
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Rounding out this list is XITA, a Botswana brand founded by creative designer One Rapelana in Botswana. With XITA, jewellery becomes a form of rebellion in the best possible way. Her pieces are fearless and futuristic, made from upcycled materials, resin, and metal. They play with shape and scale, challenging what we think beauty should look like.
XITA isn’t only about style, it’s about self-expression, about showing up exactly as you are. Her work celebrates individuality in its rawest, most unapologetic form.
Across the continent, a new era of accessory design is unfolding. It is an era defined by precision, sophistication, and cultural intelligence. These jewellery designers aren’t just creating pieces, they’re shaping global aesthetics and positioning African craftsmanship on the world stage. Their work speaks through gold, rope, shells, and stones — a language of resilience and reinvention. So the next time you reach for a necklace or pair of earrings, think of the hands that shaped it, the story it tells, and the continent it celebrates. Because some of the most beautiful stories are the ones you can wear, crafted with you in mind.
