Everyone knows jewelry can lift a woman’s mind, body and spirit, which was the inspiration behind the Alex and Ani collection. Designed to adorn the body, enlighten the mind, and empower the spirit, the collection focuses on positive energy with its spiritual, universal and religious charms.
Owner and designer Carolyn Rafaelian has created a beautiful line of bangle bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings, all made from recycled metals from local mills and refineries and are all produced in the United States. Alex and Ani was created with the unique idea that the products you wear speak wonders about who you are and what you value as important.
While there are nine locations currently nationwide, including Newport, RI, Providence, RI, Cranston, RI, East Greenwich, RI, Boston, MA, Martha’s Vineyard, MA, Palm Beach, FL, SoHo, NY, and Madison, CT, the company continues to expand.
Our favorite pieces from their collection include the Russian Silver Skeleton Key, Key to My Heart, “Sweet” Words are Powerful and Vintage Beaded Bangles. All of the bangles come with an easy to open clasp and expandable wire bangle so it is sure to fit every wrist. We recently chatted with Carolyn Rafaelian to discuss the positive energy of the brand and their personal and meaningful designs.
What was the inspiration behind creating the collection?
Carolyn Rafaelian: Alex and Ani products are created for customers to feel empowered, enlightened, and beautiful. Each collection is based on spiritual, insightful, or powerful symbols that provide distinct energies that the consumer can feel connected to. Words are powerful, symbols are powerful, and the wearer can experience this heightened sense of inspiration through our pieces.
Why do you think the brand has become so popular?
CR: Alex and Ani focuses on empowerment, individuality, and eco-consciousness. Our jewelry is a vehicle used to express the influential message of positive energy. The concept of building a personalized set that holds powerful meaning is unique along with the expandable design, the deep connection to eco-awareness, and our consistent tradition of making everything in America. The designs are popular because the pieces inspire the wearer, enlighten the spirit and ultimately signify something of importance to the individual.
Tell us about Charity by Design.
CR: Charity by Design helps organizations increase cause awareness, raise funds, and inspire customers to take action. Everyone has a cause to support and we have the capabilities to give back to so many, we don’t want to limit ourselves to one particular charity. Positive energy is meant to be spread and we are working on that one organization at a time.
Do you expect to expand the retail stores even further?
CR: Yes — there are infinite possibilities for us. We are committed to staying entirely made in America but the stores will be expanding across the country and internationally. We are looking forward to continually spreading beauty, positivity, and consciousness worldwide.
For more information, visit AlexAndAni.com.
