September’s Spotlight of the Month: Alex & Ani

For September, we caught up with jewelry designer Carolyn Rafaelian to learn about her Alex & Ani line of jewelry, enhancing human consciousness and the most charming recycled-metal bracelets around.

We love our wire bangles! Where did the idea for the charms come from?
I love personalizing my jewelry, so I came up with different charms so when girls wear my bangles, they feel connected to them spiritually. There are many charms starting with Love, Peace and Om symbol to Zodiac Signs, Birthstones, and Initials. This way everyone that wears Alex and Ani can personalize their sets!

The three of us have very different wrist sizes, but each of us can rock our bangles like they’re custom fit, which is unusual. Where did the idea come from to make the bangles expandable?
We were originally known for our classic lightweight “endless hoops” earrings, which are designed with a sliding function. I took this exact idea and turned it into the perfect bangle designed to fit everyone. The simplistic design along with the sliding adjustable function creates a custom fit.

You come from a family of jewelers; did your mother have lots of jewelry when you were growing up?
My love of jewelry came from my mother and playing in her many fun jewelry boxes but the desire to create it came from being brought up in my father’s jewelry manufacturing factory. I learned everything just being around it my entire life.

Your line, Alex and Ani is named for two of your daughters. Are they into jewelry?
My daughters absolutely LOVE the Alex and Ani jewelry! Ani will leave for school with a whole arm of bangles and return with only two!!! Her explanation: “Mom, I had to give them to all the girls in school, they were begging me for them!” Alex and Ani love the expandable bangles because they can expand as they grow!!

Your jewelry is made from recycled metals. Why is this important?
I started Alex and Ani about 10 years ago, long before there was this huge green movement which I am thrilled about and I am proud to say that I have been designing green jewelry the entire time. We are one of the last jewelry manufacturers in the United States that does not import product. Our pieces are all made in the USA and we use recycled materials purchased from local Rhode Island mills. It’s important that we continue to produce everything here in the USA because we adhere to higher environmental standards and rules for waste management and chemical disposal compared to other countries. We have always done things this way and we are lucky to have our own factory and manufacturing facilities, where we dictate how and where our products are produced.

You grew up in the smallest state in America and you now live in the biggest city in America. Is it easier being green in Rhode Island or in New York?
I actually live in New York and Rhode Island; I grew up in RI and find it very hard to leave. My kids and family are in RI. My showroom is in NYC and since I get a lot of my inspiration from NYC, I travel there every week. I think that if you are conscious about being green, it doesn’t matter where you live, you just make that extra effort to help the environment.

Nature seems to play a significant role in your designs. How does a busy city-gal like you get a chance to soak up the great outdoors?
A: I spend a great deal of time in Jamestown, RI, so I love to go to the RI beaches and “special spots” where I become inspired. Mother nature is the most creative force we are blessed to experience everyday anywhere- whether you’re sitting on a NY rooftop or at the water’s edge.

Giving back seems to be an integral part of your business. What exactly is “Charity By Design”?
We’ve partnered with several charities and are thrilled we have the ability to help foundations in need. We came up with our Charity by Design concept so we create specific pieces and collections catered to each organization with proceeds of sales donated to these foundations. Foundations that we have partnered with and donated to have included Stand up to Cancer, The Humane society, Red Cross and African Rainforest Conservancy to name a few. Charity by Design is the heart and soul of Alex and Ani, and it continues to grow.

One of the goals of Alex & Ani is to “enhance human consciousness”. Can you elaborate on that?
I am inspired by people, their unique energies, what makes them who they are, and what is truly important to them. Jewelry has the means to empower and I am just a designer who helps facilitate one to their own greatness because the meaning behind many of the pieces I create should reflect the essence of the wearer. Our Collections are all about what is inspirational to you and reflects you as a human being, Whether it be a cross, Buddha, an Om Symbol, you can create a custom piece that is your own and directly represents your life’s purpose and individual spirit…

We hear your third daughter Alivia might soon have a namesake line. Can you give us any hints about that?
I am trying to decide if I want to develop another jewelry line or if I want to venture out and do a lifestyle/home line. I will keep you posted!

Stay tuned for Carolyn’s Alivia line, and in the meantime check out the Alex & Ani website for more info about Carolyn, her jewelry and the Custom Create feature (create your own charmed bangles) coming in October.