Black Betty Design’s I AM Collection Reframes Jewellery as Ritual

I AM – the first collection in The Seven Declarations series – marks a quiet shift in Black Betty Design’s evolution.

WORDS Gina Dionisio PHOTOS Courtesy of Black Betty Designs

Rooted in the idea that adornment is a form of self-expression rather than mere decoration, Black Betty Design’s new I AM collection explores grounding through materiality and forms that transcend cultural boundaries.

Cast in gold with an earthy palette of intentionally selected stones – Garnet, Red Onyx, Smoky Quartz, Black Spinel and Pearl – each piece is designed to sit close to the body, embodying a simple idea: adornment is not decoration; it is a declaration; a ritual.

“Jewellery has never been about decoration for me. It has always been about meaning. About what you choose to carry on your body. With I AM, we are finally naming what Black Betty has always been. A place where adornment becomes something lived, not just worn,” says founder Kristin Weixelbaumer.

The new collection was brought to life in collaboration with Justine Barnes, an Ashtanga practitioner, Yoga Nidra guide, breath and energy teacher with more than 25 years’ practice. As a model, muse and spiritual anchor for the collection, Justine embodies the philosophy I AM was built around: the idea that jewellery is more than a seasonal expression.

“We’re not designing for trends. We’re designing for the body and for what people are going through internally. Most jewellery is about how something looks. For us, it’s about how it feels to wear it and what it represents when you do,” explains Kristin. This philosophy is echoed not only across Black Betty Design’s jewellery but also across its physical spaces, with ritual-based experiences such as piercing. “We are not just creating jewellery anymore. We are creating moments where people choose, mark, and carry something meaningful on their body.” | blackbettydesign.com

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