Mejuri’s Founder on Why You Should “Buy Yourself the Damn Diamond”

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When fashion lovers think of effortless jewelry at an accessible price, Mejuri immediately comes to mind. For founder Noura Shakkijha, creating the brand was written in the stars. After all, Shakkijha was born into a family of jewelry (three generations deep, if we’re getting specific).

“As a third generation in my family to work in the jewelry industry, my relationship with jewelry was shaped long before Mejuri existed,” Shakkijha told TQE. “I grew up seeing how pieces mark life’s moments – how they’re worn, passed down, and held onto – and how deeply personal they can be. That experience gave me a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and heritage.”

​As someone who not only loves jewelry but also views it as a form of self-expression, I was drawn to the brand’s pieces and the founder’s story. Somehow, though, I hadn’t yet tried the brand.

To remedy that, I went above and beyond: I not only spoke with the talented jewelry designer to learn more about her design process, but also had the wonderful opportunity to test out the brand’s jewels first-hand. 

Spoiler alert: I was thoroughly impressed by the quality – here’s a bit more on that…

​My Review on Mejuri’s Jewels

I opted for a pair of Thea Hoops and the Mini Pearl Satellite Bracelet. First off, the packaging is super elevated, and I love that each piece comes with a jewelry polishing cloth to help remove tarnish. 

I’m big on chunky hoop earrings, so I was excited to try out Mejuri’s Thea Hoops, which retail for $298. The stunning hoops come in 18K gold vermeil and with gorgeous lab-grown white sapphires that shimmer. Just on looks alone, these hoops seem like they should be worth over $400, and I love that they were responsibly crafted. They’re super lightweight to wear compared to similar styles I’ve tried, and they match with pretty much everything from jeans and a t-shirt to a fancy gown. That’s a big deal.

As for the Mini Pearl Satellite Bracelet, it retails for $118, and it really is just as pretty as the pictures. I’ve been looking to add to my current bracelet stack, and the pearls on this design are elegant and so dainty. I love how effortlessly elegant it looks on the wrist. Again, it’s one of the classic Mejuri pieces in the sense that it somehow instantly elevates any outfit in such an easy way.

After wearing both pieces for just a week, it was easy to see why so many jewelry lovers flock to the brand for its quality, craftsmanship, and designs. If you’re looking to purchase jewelry that stands the test of time with a luxe feel, but without the hefty price tag (compared to most designer brands), Mejuri is a great pick. 

A newly converted fan, I was eager to learn more about its beginnings from the woman behind it all.​

Mejuri

Thea Hoops

$298
$298
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Credit: Mejuri

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Mini Pearl Satellite Bracelet

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Dôme Figure Ring

$128
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Stevie Hoops

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The Start of Mejuri

TQE: Tell us about Mejuri’s origin story and how it came to be.

NS: The experience [of growing up with a family who worked in the jewelry industry] gave me a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and heritage. It also gave me clarity on what was missing. Fine jewelry was often reserved for special occasions, centered around gifting, and priced in ways that created distance between the product and the people meant to wear it — especially women buying for themselves.

While jewelry was always part of my world, I didn’t start my career there. I studied industrial engineering, earned my MBA, and worked in consulting at a bank. But I couldn’t stop thinking about fine jewelry — and the gap in the market. There wasn’t a brand where I could buy high-quality, well-designed pieces at an accessible price, pieces I could choose for myself.

I believed there was room to preserve the craftsmanship and quality of traditional jewelry while modernizing how people discover, purchase, and wear it. Mejuri was created to make fine jewelry feel approachable and part of daily self-expression, without compromising on craftsmanship or the integrity of the industry we admire. That idea became the foundation of Mejuri. And from day one, our philosophy has remained the same: buy yourself the damn diamond.

TQE: What was the inspiration behind the brand’s name?

NS: I wish I had a good story to share behind the name, but I don’t – we actually wanted a word that didn’t mean anything on its own, so we can attach our own meaning to it. The goal was to create a name that could grow with our philosophy of everyday fine jewelry – something personal, approachable, and truly theirs.

TQE: How would you describe the Mejuri aesthetic and customer?

NS: Our inspiration comes from the people around us: real women leading real lives. That’s why we showcase our jewelry in context, on real women, not glossy, unattainable images. Our design language is rooted in clean lines, thoughtful proportions, and a sculptural, modern sensibility – but our philosophy goes far beyond aesthetics. We were founded on empowerment and self-expression, which is why we obsess over how each piece feels on the body, designing jewelry meant to be worn comfortably every day so our customers can express themselves with confidence.

Our customer values quality and design but wants jewelry that feels effortless, wearable, and expressive. She’s someone who invests in pieces for herself, and she appreciates jewelry that integrates seamlessly into her lifestyle.​

Credit: Mejuri

Behind the Design Process

TQE: How does the design process work? Does it differ for each piece, or is there a throughline for each collection?

NS: Our design process always starts with a clear point of view. While every piece has its own purpose and story, there’s a consistent throughline that guides everything we create. We begin by thinking about how a piece will be worn in real life — how it feels on the body, how it moves, and how it fits into someone’s everyday routine. Proportion, comfort, and versatility are just as important to us as how a piece looks.​

From there, inspiration can come from many places: a gesture, a shape, a detail we want to simplify or refine, or a gap we see in our assortment. Some collections are built around a specific idea or story, while others evolve more organically by expanding on pieces our customers already love.​

What never changes is our commitment to craftsmanship and materials. Every design is developed with longevity in mind — from the thickness of a chain to the weight of a ring — so it can be worn often and lived in. So while the process may vary slightly from piece to piece, the throughline is constant: thoughtful design, high-quality materials, and jewelry that feels effortless, personal, and made for everyday wear.

TQE: What are some of the brand's bestsellers and why?

NS: Some of our best sellers are pieces that feel instantly iconic but effortless to wear. The Puzzle Ring collection is a perfect example — it’s become a favorite not just for its sculptural, stackable design, but because our community is truly embracing it as a styling system, with the majority of customers purchasing three or more rings to create their own personalized combinations. That desire to build, layer, and make a piece your own carries through to the Stevie Hoops, which reimagine a classic silhouette with a modular, customizable element. Our community loves that they can wear them simply on their own or add links for a bolder expression, reflecting how customers want jewelry that adapts to their style and mood today. This same sensibility shows up in the Dome Figure Rings, where sculptural forms are balanced with everyday wearability — further proof that our customers are gravitating toward pieces that feel expressive, modern, and effortlessly iconic.

Credit: Mejuri

The Future of Mejuri and Trends​

TQE: What are some jewelry trends you're most excited about or that the brand predicts being huge in 2026?

NS: For 2026, we’re excited about jewelry that feels personal and expressive. Mejuri PLAY is an important expression of the Mejuri ethos: incorporating product launches and new ambassadors all within the world of one of the most dynamic areas of culture right now, women’s sport, it builds on an amazing energy, offering pieces that invite self-expression and experimentation, letting customers mix, match, and layer in ways that feel uniquely their own.

Nature continues to be a major influence — textures, organic shapes, and the subtle imperfections found in the natural world are resonating with people, reflecting a desire for craftsmanship and tangible, real-world experiences in an increasingly digital world. At the same time, mixing metals is becoming more popular, with silver gaining particular momentum, opening up modern ways to style jewelry.

TQE: So many fashion lovers have such an affinity towards the brand. Why do you think that is?

NS: I think it comes down to authenticity and how the brand makes people feel. We design for real women and real lives, not for trends. Mejuri feels approachable and reassuring — like a chic friend who knows more about jewelry and helps you feel confident in your choices, without ever talking down to you.

The jewelry is modern and elevated, but personal and easy to wear. It’s aspirational without being performative. From a design standpoint, we focus on timeless proportions and clean forms, while staying in tune with how women actually wear jewelry today — whether that’s mixing metals, stacking, or styling pieces more casually. Ultimately, people connect with Mejuri because it feels honest. It’s jewelry as self-expression — comfortable, lived-in, and chosen for yourself.

You can shop Mejuri at https://mejuri.com/

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