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Healing Energy: Lauren Harwell Godfrey

Lauren Harwell Godfrey by Ella Sophie

This California-based jeweler creates colorful, meaningful pieces that draw on African patterns and a bohemian spirit.

Inspired by Africa’s rich history of graphic textiles and pattern making, San Francisco, California-based designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey uses a fine mixture of inlay, enamel and stone-setting techniques in her bold creations. Designing with healing energy in mind, she renders mystical motifs in a system of sacred shapes, studded in brightly colored gemstones that add an ultra-modern yet bohemian, minimal feel.

Harwell’s latest work — an onyx broken-heart pendant that aims to support the fight for Black justice — is rich with meaning. Envisioned as a healing talisman, the Black Onyx Heart honors Black lives and represents the properties of grounding and strength. Beyond its symbolic value, Harwell is donating all profits from the pendant to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

lauren Harwell Godfrey, ‘Major’ Moon In Turquoise with Fire Opal Sunset Bead Foundation,
Major Moon necklace in 18-karat yellow gold featuring a turquoise inlay crescent moon, fire opal and gem beads, from the Valley of the Moon collection.

How do you define your style?
Eclectic, as I love mixing prints and living for a good high-and-low moment. In the past, I was more of a tomboy in terms of fashion, but have been embracing my feminine side more and more.

When and why did you move from advertising to fine jewelry?
I worked in advertising as an art and creative director for over 15 years until I was no longer creatively fulfilled by making work for other brands. I went to culinary school with the intent of applying my creative skills to food as a food stylist and recipe developer. After a couple of years, I moved on to making fashion jewelry for myself as a creative outlet, and it got a lot of attention. I launched my fine-jewelry line in 2017.

Lauren Harwell Godfrey Rainbow Sapphire Rosa band in 18-karat yellow gold with rainbow sapphires and white diamonds.
Rainbow Sapphire Rosa band in 18-karat yellow gold with rainbow sapphires and white diamonds.

How do you select the gemstones for your meaningful jewelry?
I enjoy researching the healing properties ascribed to stones and select stones based on that and other factors like color palette and hardness.

Where are your jewels made?
I started out making everything in Los Angeles, but moved to working with a production team that helps me manage all of my manufacturing out of New York.

Harwell Godfrey Talisman Huggie, 18k Yellow Gold with Diamond/Black Rhodium.
Talisman huggies in 18-karat yellow gold with diamonds and black rhodium.

To what extent do San Francisco and the surrounding vibe inspire your designs?
San Francisco is seen as a tech hub, but is very bohemian in its roots. I enjoy tapping into that creative, colorful spirit in my work. It is also a pretty casual city in terms of fashion, and I like making pieces that can be worn every day rather than saved for a special occasion.

What piece of jewelry are you the most proud of?
I am very proud of a diamond and opal locket that was part of my launch in 2017. It has an evil eye motif and holds a fragrance developed with a local perfumer, Loretto Remsing. I’ve worn it every day since I made it, and it’s my talisman.

Lauren Harwell Godfrey Juju bangle in 18-karat yellow gold with turquoise inlay and multicolored gemstones.
Juju bangle in 18-karat yellow gold with turquoise inlay and multicolored gemstones.

What is your personal favorite jewel?
My grandmother left me a ring that I reworked, and it’s very special to me. She wore it every day, and I wanted to do the same, so I transformed it from a cocktail ring to a band that I could stack. I created a very open setting that really exposes the diamonds from all sides and lets them shine. I engraved it with her initials, year of birth, year of passing and “I (heart) U.” Inside the band, I had heart-shape cutouts made underneath each diamond.

Lauren Harwell Godfrey, Amina Cigar Band, 18k Yellow Gold with Diamond and Tsavorite.
Amina cigar band in 18-karat yellow gold with diamonds and tsavorites.

Main image: Lauren Harwell Godfrey photographed by Ella Sophie.

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