California-based designer Lauren Harwell Godfrey’s fine jewelry line, Harwell Godfrey, is handcrafted in 18-karat gold with precious gemstones, distinctive inlay, and ethically-sourced diamonds. With a design language inspired by the shapes, colors, and patterns distinctive to her ancestors in the African Diaspora, Godfrey’s work reflects figurative references to block printing and weaving from cultures long ago, bringing a sense of history to the modern day precious heirlooms.

With a deep commitment to social causes, the designer launched her Charity Heart series in 2020, donating 100 percent of proceeds to personally significant nonprofit organizations including NAACP, Human Rights Campaign, Every Mother Counts, World Central Kitchen and Futures Without Violence, where she serves on the board.

Godfrey’s career as a designer began over 20 years ago when she worked as an Art Director and Creative Director in the advertising industry, creating award-winning campaigns for brands including Levis, Nike, Adidas, Absolut and Ray-Ban. This natural affinity for storytelling in the luxury space has continued in fine jewelry, where Godfrey’s comprehensive vision — from stone selection to design to production — has earned her a prestigious Gem Awards nomination for Jewelry Design in 2022 and a spot on Vogue’s “The United States of Fashion” Atlas. The brand’s Northern California atelier is the hub for bespoke creations, where pieces are made with hand-chosen stones, tailored to a favorite color palette or sourced to enhance a mood, energy or feeling. Harwell Godfrey is carried by Net-A-Porter, Matches, Neiman Marcus and Twist, among others, and is collected and worn by luminaries including Cynthia Erivo, Hilary Swank, Kamala Harris and Thandie Newton.