The Birth of LUXARIA: A Journey of Passion, Resilience, and Representation

LUXARIA was born in Los Angeles, California, in the midst of one of the most challenging times—the COVID-19 pandemic. Just a week before the shutdown, I made a bold decision to quit my job in Finance. I was also finishing my bachelor’s degree in Latin American Studies with a minor in Anthropology at UCLA. It was an uncertain time for many, and for me, it meant facing the reality of losing financial security. But deep down, I knew I wanted to pursue something more meaningful.

Jewelry had always been a passion of mine. At various points in my life, I considered starting a jewelry business, but the timing never seemed right. When the pandemic hit, I realized it was now or never. I wanted to solve problems I had encountered growing up—poor-quality fashion jewelry and the lack of representation in the industry.

Growing up in a marginalized community in Los Angeles, the jewelry I had access to was mostly “joyería de fantasía” or fashion jewelry. Many of you might relate to buying beautiful but low-quality pieces that ultimately cost more in the long run. I spent money on items that would tarnish, break, or lose their appeal after just a few wears. One day, as I was clearing out my collection, I counted how much I had spent and realized the waste. That was the moment I decided to stop throwing away my hard-earned money on short-lived pieces and invest in high-quality fine jewelry instead.

During the pandemic, like many, I turned to social media for comfort and connection. That’s when I discovered an incredible community of jewelry lovers, especially those sharing their vintage treasures. I was captivated by the joy people felt when they found something unique—a piece of history given new life. This community, and the metaphor of breathing new meaning into forgotten items, resonated deeply with me. It paralleled my experience as someone from a marginalized background—where people are often overlooked or discarded. I found it empowering to repurpose and give value to vintage jewelry, and that’s when I knew my passion for fine jewelry, especially vintage and contemporary, was something I wanted to pursue seriously.

But there was a glaring issue in the jewelry world: representation. Few people of color are at the forefront of this industry, and I wanted to change that. LUXARIA isn’t just about beautiful jewelry; it’s about creating a space where everyone feels good about what they’re buying and where they’re buying it from. Fine jewelry has long been associated with exclusivity, a marker of class and privilege, and historically, jewelry worn by people of color has often been unfairly labeled as "ghetto" or "low fashion." Yet, those same styles are continuously appropriated. In reality, it's in these marginalized spaces where jewelry holds deeper meaning and value.

My mission with LUXARIA is to make fine jewelry accessible to everyone—without the predatory prices that often come with it. I want my clients to feel empowered and proud of their pieces, knowing they are investing in something high-quality and meaningful.

The inspiration for the name LUXARIA comes from my alma mater’s motto, Fiat Lux—"Let there be light." To me, fine jewelry embodies luxury and light. "Lux" represents this elegance, while "Aria," derived from my family name, means song or melody and in other languages "Lioness". Combined, LUXARIA symbolizes a "luxurious song"—a beautiful harmony you’ll want to play on repeat, just like our fine jewelry that you’ll want to wear forever.

Thank you for being part of this journey!

Jennifer