02/27/2026
Happy Black History Month family! Welcome to episode 3 of ✨ “Did You Know That Was Black?” ✨
A short series where we highlight black jewelers and jewelry designers who changed the game.
Meet Bill Smith: the first Black jewelry designer to win a Coty Award (basically the fashion world’s Oscar).
Smith created bold, dramatic, full-body jewelry that blurred the lines between clothing and accessories.
By 1968, he became vice president of the second-largest jewelry firm in America, helping introduce African-inspired designs into high-end American jewelry.
Pioneers like Bill Smith paved the way for black-owned jewelry shops like Laurel Lane Jewelry to exist today.
This is your reminder to support Black jewelers. Not just this month, but every month.
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