• Home
  • Blog
  • Community
  • Knowledge
  • Cover Stories
  • Startup Stories
  • Playbooks
  • Podcasts
  • Português
    • Events Homepage & Booking
    • Start-Up Night Africa Series
    • Lioness Lean In Series
    • Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference
    • Harvard University / Lionesses of Africa Conference
    • Young Lioness Lean In Series
    • About Us
    • Impact Partners
    • Contributor Team
    • Contact
    • Join the Community
    • Signup for FREE Newsletters
    • Share Your Startup Story
    • Share Your Lioness Launch
    • Share Your Lioness Co-Lab
    • Become a Contributor
    • Nominate to '100 Lionessess'
    • Become an Impact Partner
    • Contact LoA
Menu

Lionesses of Africa

276 5th Avenue
New York, NY, 10001
(212) 634-4540
The Pride of Africa's Women Entrepreneurs

the pride of Africa's women entrepreneurs

Lionesses of Africa

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Community
  • Knowledge
  • Cover Stories
  • Startup Stories
  • Playbooks
  • Podcasts
  • Português
  • Events +
    • Events Homepage & Booking
    • Start-Up Night Africa Series
    • Lioness Lean In Series
    • Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference
    • Harvard University / Lionesses of Africa Conference
    • Young Lioness Lean In Series
  • About +
    • About Us
    • Impact Partners
    • Contributor Team
    • Contact
  • Connect +
    • Join the Community
    • Signup for FREE Newsletters
    • Share Your Startup Story
    • Share Your Lioness Launch
    • Share Your Lioness Co-Lab
    • Become a Contributor
    • Nominate to '100 Lionessess'
    • Become an Impact Partner
    • Contact LoA

12 Emerging Women jewellery designers taking Africa by storm

June 9, 2015 Melanie Hawken
  Katherine-Mary Pichulik , founder of Pichulik (South Africa) is a hugely talented Cape-Town-based jewellery designer taking traditional African jewellery and beading craftsmanship to a whole new level. Click to learn more.

Katherine-Mary Pichulik, founder of Pichulik (South Africa) is a hugely talented Cape-Town-based jewellery designer taking traditional African jewellery and beading craftsmanship to a whole new level. Click to learn more.

  Laura Nyahuye , founder of AdornU (Zimbabwe) is a talented avant-garde Zimbabwean jewellery designer, who is challenging existing notions of jewellery design with her company, Adornu. Click to learn more.

Laura Nyahuye, founder of AdornU (Zimbabwe) is a talented avant-garde Zimbabwean jewellery designer, who is challenging existing notions of jewellery design with her company, Adornu. Click to learn more.

  Njuhi Chege , founder of RiRi Jewellery and inspired by the Kenyan landscape, utilising the skills of talented artisans to achieve interesting textures and vibrant colours. Click to learn more.

Njuhi Chege, founder of RiRi Jewellery and inspired by the Kenyan landscape, utilising the skills of talented artisans to achieve interesting textures and vibrant colours. Click to learn more.

  Teta Isibo , founder of Inzuki Designs (Rwanda) is a trend-setter who creates jewellery pieces that are integral to her seasonal accessory collections.  Click to learn more .

Teta Isibo, founder of Inzuki Designs (Rwanda) is a trend-setter who creates jewellery pieces that are integral to her seasonal accessory collections. Click to learn more.

  Rachel Phiri , founder of Silverbox Jewellery (Zimbabwe) is a spirited jewellery designer with an eye for contemporary design that celebrates Africa's beautiful semi-precious stones and metals. Click to learn more.

Rachel Phiri, founder of Silverbox Jewellery (Zimbabwe) is a spirited jewellery designer with an eye for contemporary design that celebrates Africa's beautiful semi-precious stones and metals. Click to learn more.

  Abimbola Baolgun  founder of Nigeria’s Bimbeads Concept is elevating the art of beading and creating the most spectacular pieces inspired by nature. Click to learn more.

Abimbola Baolgun founder of Nigeria’s Bimbeads Concept is elevating the art of beading and creating the most spectacular pieces inspired by nature. Click to learn more.

  Ashley Heather , founder of Ashley Heather Jewellery (South Africa) is an innovative eco-designer who is creating fabulous contemporary jewellery made from the precious metals reclaimed from computer and cellphone circuit boards. Cli

Ashley Heather, founder of Ashley Heather Jewellery (South Africa) is an innovative eco-designer who is creating fabulous contemporary jewellery made from the precious metals reclaimed from computer and cellphone circuit boards. Click to learn more.

  Janet Pulford , founder of Gemboree, a South African jewellery designer inspired by the natural precious and semi-precious stones of her country to create unique, relaxed pieces reflecting the colours of the changing seasons. Click to learn more.

Janet Pulford, founder of Gemboree, a South African jewellery designer inspired by the natural precious and semi-precious stones of her country to create unique, relaxed pieces reflecting the colours of the changing seasons. Click to learn more.

  Amy Sinovich , founder of Resonate by amy (South Africa) who reinvents the art of storytelling through her exquisite handcrafted jewellery pieces. Click to learn more.

Amy Sinovich, founder of Resonate by amy (South Africa) who reinvents the art of storytelling through her exquisite handcrafted jewellery pieces. Click to learn more.

  Mary-Anne Grobler & Kara Furter  of Matter of Fakt (South Africa) have a passion for raw, precious and semi-precious stones, creating exquisite pieces that have an edgy, contemporary quality.

Mary-Anne Grobler & Kara Furter of Matter of Fakt (South Africa) have a passion for raw, precious and semi-precious stones, creating exquisite pieces that have an edgy, contemporary quality.

  Karin Rae Matthee , founder of Dear Rae Jewellery, (South Africa), handcrafting timeless jewellery pieces with a romantic quality and an African essence.

Karin Rae Matthee, founder of Dear Rae Jewellery, (South Africa), handcrafting timeless jewellery pieces with a romantic quality and an African essence.

 Founder of Tilt Handmade Jewels, Clare Nouvel, French-born but now resident in South Africa, creates jewellery inspired by the local materials and metals of the African continent. Click to learn more.

Founder of Tilt Handmade Jewels, Clare Nouvel, French-born but now resident in South Africa, creates jewellery inspired by the local materials and metals of the African continent. Click to learn more.

  Katherine-Mary Pichulik , founder of Pichulik (South Africa) is a hugely talented Cape-Town-based jewellery designer taking traditional African jewellery and beading craftsmanship to a whole new level. Click to learn more.   Laura Nyahuye , founder of AdornU (Zimbabwe) is a talented avant-garde Zimbabwean jewellery designer, who is challenging existing notions of jewellery design with her company, Adornu. Click to learn more.   Njuhi Chege , founder of RiRi Jewellery and inspired by the Kenyan landscape, utilising the skills of talented artisans to achieve interesting textures and vibrant colours. Click to learn more.   Teta Isibo , founder of Inzuki Designs (Rwanda) is a trend-setter who creates jewellery pieces that are integral to her seasonal accessory collections.  Click to learn more .   Rachel Phiri , founder of Silverbox Jewellery (Zimbabwe) is a spirited jewellery designer with an eye for contemporary design that celebrates Africa's beautiful semi-precious stones and metals. Click to learn more.   Abimbola Baolgun  founder of Nigeria’s Bimbeads Concept is elevating the art of beading and creating the most spectacular pieces inspired by nature. Click to learn more.   Ashley Heather , founder of Ashley Heather Jewellery (South Africa) is an innovative eco-designer who is creating fabulous contemporary jewellery made from the precious metals reclaimed from computer and cellphone circuit boards. Cli   Janet Pulford , founder of Gemboree, a South African jewellery designer inspired by the natural precious and semi-precious stones of her country to create unique, relaxed pieces reflecting the colours of the changing seasons. Click to learn more.   Amy Sinovich , founder of Resonate by amy (South Africa) who reinvents the art of storytelling through her exquisite handcrafted jewellery pieces. Click to learn more.   Mary-Anne Grobler & Kara Furter  of Matter of Fakt (South Africa) have a passion for raw, precious and semi-precious stones, creating exquisite pieces that have an edgy, contemporary quality.   Karin Rae Matthee , founder of Dear Rae Jewellery, (South Africa), handcrafting timeless jewellery pieces with a romantic quality and an African essence.  Founder of Tilt Handmade Jewels, Clare Nouvel, French-born but now resident in South Africa, creates jewellery inspired by the local materials and metals of the African continent. Click to learn more.

Throughout the month of May at Lionesses of Africa, we celebrated the incredibly creative and decidedly unique women jewellery designers of Africa, who are turning the precious metals, gems and semi-precious stones found here on the continent into beautiful decorative pieces for the world to wear. These women jewellery designers are putting the continent on the global map through their uniquely African-inspired designs and technical brilliance. If you missed reading their stories and learning more about the wonderful work they produce, and seeing the difference they are making on the African continent to the lives of other makers and crafters, then meet them now.

Each of these African Women Jewellery Designers is to be celebrated for the incredible passion for what they do, their brilliant craftsmanship, their unique eye for design, and their support for indigenous African jewellery crafting skills - we are so inspired by what they are doing.

In In Focus Tags Jewellery Designers Month
← Angela Franklin - The startup story of the bookseller of Senegal with a passion to promote the writers of the DiasporaEssential Read: 'Do, Disrupt, Change the Status Quo - Or Become It' by Mark Shayler →

CELEBRATING 10 YEARS


LATEST PODCAST

LIONESSES OF AFRICA · AI Series Ep. 2 : AI-Human Collaboration in the Workplace

Lioness Radio Show: AI Series Ep. 2 : AI-Human Collaboration in the Workplace - Tune in for an engaging conversation designed to equip you with the knowledge to embrace AI and unlock its possibilities for your business.


LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Dr Margaret Kemigisha, a publishing entrepreneur passionate about childrens’ literacy
Sydelle Willow Smith, a pioneer of solar-powered mobile cinema in Africa
Sydelle Willow Smith, a pioneer of solar-powered mobile cinema in Africa
Babette Kourelos, a passionate artisanal bread-baking business builder
Babette Kourelos, a passionate artisanal bread-baking business builder
Thandekile Moloko, an entrepreneur empowering her clients’ financial futures
Thandekile Moloko, an entrepreneur empowering her clients’ financial futures
Teboho Seretlo, a passion-driven entrepreneur helping SMEs to grow
Teboho Seretlo, a passion-driven entrepreneur helping SMEs to grow

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Afropian

Storytelling through accessories…Afropian, the Pan-african lifestyle brand founded by Ethiopean entrepreneur Hortense Mbea, is a rare, fully hand-made in Africa brand. It uses traditional know-how in a modern way t
Image of the Day / AAKS

Vibrant Ghanaian craftsmanship,…We just have to share one of our favourite accessories of the year, this beautiful hand-woven bag created by award-winning designer Akosua Afriyie-Kumi and her AAKS brand in Ghana. We lo
Image of the Day / Ledikana

Contemporary South African Chic…Knowing exactly how to spot a gap in the marketplace is key to the success of any fashion brand, and Mapholo Ratau, founder of Ledikana in South Africa, has achieved that goal. For h
Image of the Day / The 1964 Brand

Modern relaxed fashion…Olakunmi Oni is the founder of The 1964 Brand in Nigeria, a fashion business that proudly promotes self-care through minimalist clothing for the modern woman. Loyal patrons of The 1964
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c
Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi
Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company
Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p
Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized
Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has
Image of the Day / Afropian

Storytelling through accessories…Afropian, the Pan-african lifestyle brand founded by Ethiopean entrepreneur Hortense Mbea, is a rare, fully hand-made in Africa brand. It uses traditional know-how in a modern way t Image of the Day / AAKS

Vibrant Ghanaian craftsmanship,…We just have to share one of our favourite accessories of the year, this beautiful hand-woven bag created by award-winning designer Akosua Afriyie-Kumi and her AAKS brand in Ghana. We lo Image of the Day / Ledikana

Contemporary South African Chic…Knowing exactly how to spot a gap in the marketplace is key to the success of any fashion brand, and Mapholo Ratau, founder of Ledikana in South Africa, has achieved that goal. For h Image of the Day / The 1964 Brand

Modern relaxed fashion…Olakunmi Oni is the founder of The 1964 Brand in Nigeria, a fashion business that proudly promotes self-care through minimalist clothing for the modern woman. Loyal patrons of The 1964 Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity
Tumelo Tshwagong, a South African agri-entrepreneur contributing to finding sustainable local solutions to addressing food insecurity
Gloria Sellwane Phala, a South African entrepreneur helping clients benefit from the transformative impact of yoga
Gloria Sellwane Phala, a South African entrepreneur helping clients benefit from the transformative impact of yoga
Nondumiso Leshaba, a South African business builder providing professional business advisory and accounting services to SMEs
Nondumiso Leshaba, a South African business builder providing professional business advisory and accounting services to SMEs
Anneline Lucinda Lopis, an entrepreneur on a mission to grow small scale miners around the African continent
Anneline Lucinda Lopis, an entrepreneur on a mission to grow small scale miners around the African continent
Gadifele Moeng, a South African entrepreneur empowering young people to find their voices through public speaking
Gadifele Moeng, a South African entrepreneur empowering young people to find their voices through public speaking

LIONESS DATA & INSIGHTS


LIONESS PLAYBOOKS



Screen Shot 2020-01-27 at 6.01.32 PM.png
Screen Shot 2020-01-27 at 5.34.58 PM.png

Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletters for Africa's women entrepreneurs.

* indicates required
Required: Please select your newsletter(s):


LIONESS BOOK REVIEWS

Featured
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
Dream Big and Win: Translating Passion into Purpose and Creating a Billion-Dollar Business by Liz Elting
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
After the Idea: What It Really Takes to Create and Scale a Startup by Julia Austin
Feminine Intelligence: How visionary leaders can reshape business for good by Elina Teboul
Feminine Intelligence: How visionary leaders can reshape business for good by Elina Teboul
Bridging the Confidence Gap: How Empowered Women Change the World by Sheena Yap Chan
Bridging the Confidence Gap: How Empowered Women Change the World by Sheena Yap Chan
Authentic Selling: Be Real to Seal the Deal by Kendrick Shope
Authentic Selling: Be Real to Seal the Deal by Kendrick Shope

About Us  |  Contact Us  | PRIVACY POLICY | terms OF SERVICE  | Community Guidelines  

© 2025 LIONESSES OF AFRICA public benefit corporation. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.