In the world of Allison Alane Jewelry, adventure and artistry intertwine, weaving stories from far-flung corners of the globe into timeless treasures. Through her craft, Allison invites us to embrace wanderlust and celebrate the profound beauty of connection—where each piece tells a tale, and every detail evokes the soul of a journey well-lived. Step into her world and discover jewelry that doesn’t just adorn but transports.

What sparked your passion for jewelry design, and how did that passion evolve into launching Allison Alane Jewelry?

My association with jewelry and travel began at a very young age. I had a treasure chest of costume jewelry, handed down from my great aunt. She had lived all over the world, working for the CIA. Everywhere she lived – Cyprus, Japan, Burma, Switzerland – she collected jewelry. Each piece of jewelry was so unique and all of them had a fascinating story to tell. I never forgot the inspiring power of jewelry to describe a culture, share an epic journey and bring the world together in a little girl’s bedroom. 

How would you describe the aesthetic and ethos of Allison Alane Jewelry to someone discovering your brand for the first time?

At Allison Alane, the mission is to inspire and empower through sustainable jewelry, reflecting stories of adventure and connection. Here, you’ll be swept away through a travel diary of vivid gemstones and repeating rhythmic forms perfect for layering and stacking with everyday elegance. Allison Alane’s values of creativity, care, and craftsmanship shine through in every design made just for you. 

What role does sustainability or ethical sourcing play in your creative and production process?

Allison Alane offers expertly-crafted, durable, and sustainable recycled solid gold and sterling silver jewelry hand fabricated completely in-house. Choosing the highest standards when selecting my raw materials, I also maintain affordability and offer an ethically sourced product whenever possible. Allison Alane partners with Ethical Metalsmiths to guarantee the use of traceable stones, reclaimed diamonds and 100% recycled metals. In practice, that means every item – from raw material to finished product – which enters and leaves my studio is made with the highest level of creativity and care. 

Your collections often feel deeply personal—do you draw inspiration from your own life experiences or travels? 

My inspiration is directly drawn from my love of travel and how it brings me to some of the most compelling cities around the world. For each new discovery, I design a collection based on that city, inviting my clients along for the journey. With my jewelry, I celebrate wanderlust – the longing to discover and the desire to embrace adventure. Each collection a destination, each piece a moment savored from my travels. The descriptions become my travel diary. My jewelry is designed to sweep you far away and bring the world a little closer.

What is your process for translating inspiration—whether from art, nature, or culture—into physical pieces?

I begin the design process upon arrival in my chosen city. I start to pick up color inspiration and form motifs – perhaps a pattern in the architecture or landscape. The longer I stay, my perspective deepens with my impression of the overall mood of the city and its people. Once I’m back in my studio, I select gemstones. Like a painter choosing her palette, I pair colors with great intention. Finding unexpected combinations, mixing precious and semi-precious gemstones that aren’t often seen together, allows me to highlight the unique signature of my cities and my jewelry. I introduce several new stones for each collection, continuing a conversation with my clients, and sharing the distinct values and history of the gemstones and how they often contain a secret story. 

What materials and techniques do you love working with most, and why?

The majority of my pieces are made with the technique called full-fabrication. I start with flat sheets and wire of raw gold and sterling silver metal and then I cut, forge, and shape them into their final forms. This is not a common technique used today, as most of the jewelry industry is mass-produced and designed with 3D software. Full-fabrication requires a lot of hands-on skill and artistry to master the metals into your vision, but it also leaves a signature of the human hand behind, a quality you don’t get by printing 3D models. Each is a tiny sculpture made one at a time by hand, celebrating my love for the slow-made art in a fast moving, modern world. This means that each piece is imbued with durability and integrity intended to last throughout our lifetime and for generations to come.

Do you have a specific customer or type of person in mind when you design your collections?

I design and fabricate jewelry for people who view the world as a place of adventure and connection. They are not afraid of color and making a statement. To me, each piece of jewelry should be unique, like each of us. This is how I want my jewelry to make people feel. I hope to evoke a sense of wonder surrounding the work – handcrafted and ready to be taken on your own adventure, whether it’s an epic journey or the memorable moments found in the everyday. My jewelry is for individuals who are ready to transition away from mass-produced and trend-dependent pieces. Good design and meaningful relationships come from collaboration. I’m inspired by listening to people’s own travel stories, and designing something enduring together. I offer the ability for my clients to customize their pieces. Swapping stones and metals to personalize how each individually connects with the world. We all see the world differently, and our jewelry should embrace that. 

Can you share any exciting projects, upcoming collections, or future goals for Allison Alane Jewelry?

My latest collection launches this month, January 2025. Inspired by my travels to Scotland, Edinburgh Bound sends you to the city of story and stone. This newly released signature collection is as captivating as the shifting light on hilltop castles and as satisfying as a fine scotch. A collection of tales told, radiant enough to fill a royal treasury. These solid 14k gold pieces combine textures and precious and semi-precious gems to create a bewitching mixture to inspire any day, any moment, any adventure.

Can you share the story behind one of your favourite designs and what it means to you?

Take a closer look at each collection I design and you’ll find tiny orchids of gold and silver planted in each. These are part of my Orchid Promise initiative. I am deeply aware of the impact our actions as humans have on the environment. Acknowledging jewelry fabrication utilizes materials that must be extracted from the earth, I have developed the Orchid Promise: 20% of all profits from my signature orchid designs in each collection are donated to the nonprofit Cool Earth. This partnership helps protect the orchid rainforest habitat. I have chosen the orchid because in their natural habitat they function as “canaries in a coal mine,” alerting scientists to the initial signs of climate breakdown and the necessity to act. Orchids grow on every continent (except Antarctica) and can be found in a wide range of habitats – tropical forests, semi-desert regions, near the seashore and the tundra. This means almost every destination you travel to you might come across some species of orchid. A beautiful reminder that although our planet is vast, it is not disconnected.

Learn more about Cool Earth’s mission

Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list?

I continuously have a short list of travel destinations top of mind, ready to be charted and turned into inspiration for Allison Alane collections. I just returned from Barcelona, Spain and I am already daydreaming about Norway, Iceland, Thailand, and Tahiti.

What’s your go-to quote when lacking motivation?

“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – explorer Ibn Battuta

Where can people follow you and find out more?

Be sure to visit us at allisonalane.com and follow @allison_alane on Instagram.