It was through a desire to feel connected to her second home in Turks & Caicos that lead Jennifer to initially discover her own passion for design. Looking for something other than the expected promotional shot glass or big name branded jewelry, she decided to create a pendant that symbolized what the island paradise meant to her; its warmth and pristine beauty a welcome respite for Jennifer and her family. This process helped Jennifer uncover a passion within her that she hadn’t known existed. She went on to apprentice with jewelry stores in her hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, as well as take classes to learn the intricacies of jewelry design and production.

All pieces in Jennifer’s rapidly expanding collection are created by hand using 18k gold and precious gemstones and diamonds. Her distinctive matte finish evokes a sophisticated femininity, and her sources of creativity are all rooted in Jennifer’s emotional connections. Her classic Amani collection features disk pendants with graduated pavé diamonds inspired by the intricately beaded items created by African women, engraved with the word “peace” in several of the world’s most commonly used languages. A collection created exclusively for Bergdorf Goodman in New York City pays homage to the strength and resilience of the Big Apple, even in (or especially in) challenging times. The Bahari collection is intended for those who “wander but are not lost,” with a four-pointed star beckoning the wearer on a journey.

Jennifer is committed to utilizing only ethically sourced gemstones in the creation of her hand-fabricated collections. She is insistent on hand-selecting each of the gemstones around which she designs, identifying stones with unique variations of colors and inclusions that speak to her. The opportunity to travel to Africa with Monica Stephenson, in conjunction with Gem Legacy, brought things full circle for Jennifer. On her return to the continent that had been so instrumental in her personal and spiritual evolution, she was able to bring a newfound awareness and appreciation. Connecting with the miners and cutters who toil with such pride to uncover these incredible gifts of nature simply strengthened Jennifer’s resolve to infuse every one of her creations with her genuine passion and love for humanity.