We're an online custom jewelry boutique where you can customize earring and necklace styles with colorful gemstones. Think baubles meets paint-by-numbers (without the mess!). Our jewelry is stylish yet classic; we prefer our natural gemstones to remain center stage.
All jewelry is handmade to order in our cozy Portland, Ore. studio, and shipped in gorgeous, gift-ready packaging with a personal note from your custom jewelry maker. Our jewelry makers are fueled by a passion for sparkly gems. But, we like to think that caffeine (tea + honey + cream = bliss) and tunes (our ears belong to Cat Power, The National, and yes, Britney) keep the studio buzzing.
Our mission is to be your go-to when you’re hunting for the perfect gems for your new outfit, or a personalized gift for that special someone.
And lastly, despite what our junior high yearbooks suggests, we're popular! We’ve been featured in major media outlets such as: Glamour.com, MarthaStewart.com, Cool Mom Picks, INC.com, TechCrunch, Mashable, WalletPop, Craft Magazine, CocoPerez, and more!
GemKitty Founder Arwa J. (aka Arrs) was born into the sparkly world of gemstones. Her parents, gemstone entrepreneurs, immersed her in their business; Arwa grew up surrounded by bright and colorful baubles, and the even more colorful collection of individuals who scout, mine, cut, polish, and broker these treasures around the globe.
Arwa was designing jewelry before she could write her own name. She fondly remembers stringing rose quartz beads into a necklace and proudly wearing it to kindergarten. As she continued on into adulthood, she continued to design jewelry for fun.
While working as a pilates instructor in Washington DC, Arwa moonlighted as a custom jewelry designer. She invited friends into her tiny apartment to share her drawers of gemstones and help them create their dream jewels. Inspired by Nike’s custom shoe website (NikeID), she launched GemKitty in 2009 to allow more people to experience the luxe custom jewelry experience. She takes delight in creating baubles that will add just the right splash of color to your day.
When she is not making jewelry, she enjoys cooking up crafty projects, noshing on sweet treats, singing loudly in the shower, and daydreaming about raising a pet teacup piglet.
Drop her a line: arwa(at)gemkitty.com
GemKitty scours the four corners of the globe to find the most exquisite, high-grade semiprecious gemstones for use in our pieces.
The types of gemstones we carry typically have ancient pedigrees, and were often used for healing and spiritual purposes by a wide variety of peoples throughout history.
Here is a taste of some of the celebrities of the Gemkitty (and semiprecious gemstone) world:
Agate, which occurs naturally in many different colors, is the oldest known protective stone and has been used to ward off natural disasters and bad spirits since time immemorial.
Agate, which occurs naturally in many different colors, is the oldest known protective stone. Think of it as a chic security blanket!
Reputedly named after the Amazon
River, pastel teal stone encourages the expansion of one’s horizons.
Cape Amethyst, striped with layers of milky quartz, balances and lines up the emotional and spiritual energies in the body to help one feel more centered.
Said to take on its color in the presence of the high temperatures of volcanic ground, green amethyst served as a mark of high station during the age of kings and queens.
The Greeks and Romans countered the effects of alcohol and toxins with this gorgeous purple stone.
A luscious natural combination of amethyst and citrine, this purple-yellow hybrid typically has a slightly translucent appearance. Ametrine is known for clearing stress and promoting meditation.
The name apatite comes from the Greek word apate (meaning, “to deceive”) because it was regularly confused for other stones such as Tourmaline, Peridot, and Beryl. Wearing it is said to contributes to an unconditional acceptance of people and situations.
Greeks and Roman sailors used Aquamarine as a protective amulet while at sea.
Usually appearing in a gorgeous mellow green, Aventurine is used in Tibetan healing practices to improve eyesight as well as clarity of insight, perception, and creativity.
Blue Lace Agate encourages built up energy to softly flow and release, much like the rippling blue and white veins exposed by polishing its smooth surface.
Known to some as eye agate, Botswana Agate was used in the past to ward off the evil eye. In more recent times, it has been called the "change stone” and is purported to help ensure that disruptive change is channeled in a positive direction.
Worked into ornate seals for medieval kings and magical amulets by the Greeks, Carnelian quells bad temper and soothes savage beasts.
Worked into ornate seals for medieval kings and magical amulets by the Greeks, Carnelian quells bad temper and soothes savage beasts.
From antiquity, Citrine was called the “sun stone” because it was thought capable of storing sunlight. It’s the perfect gemstone for infusing just a little extra bit of brightness into your day.
With a name derived from Latin for its resemblance to the seeds of a pomegranate, Garnet is legendary for increasing making the wearer feel more sensual!
With a name derived from Latin for its resemblance to the seeds of a pomegranate, Garnet is legendary for increasing making the wearer feel more sensual!
The tiny flecks in Goldstone are thought to store and conduct energy to those who come into contact with it.
The tiny flecks in Goldstone are thought to store and conduct energy to those who come into contact with it.
The tiny flecks in Goldstone are thought to store and conduct energy to those who come into contact with it.
This metallic stone is known to be a strong grounding stone. It will bring you down from outer space into a steady focused state.
Jasper was frequently used for ornaments and amulets during the Middle Ages. Earthy and dependable, this stone is said to heal and enhance the physical body.
Jasper was frequently used for ornaments and amulets during the Middle Ages. Earthy and dependable, this stone is said to heal and enhance the physical body.
Derived from the Greek word kyanos (meaning “blue”), this stone is thought to aid creative expression, play, and the arts.
First discovered in Canada, Labradorite is gray with iridescent flashes that range from purple, to blue, to black, to yellow. It energizes the imagination and helps to bring new ideas to the surface.
Held in high esteem in India, where it is thought to emphasize female virtues, Moonstone facilitates the quick release of tensions and emotional stress.
Despite its name, Moss Agate is usually formed from weathered volcanic rocks. It encourages openness and freedom from inhibitions and emotions.
Derived from the lining of seashells, mother of pearl is helpful with you want to feel like a kid again. It’s perfect for when you want to spend the day playing, discovering, and imagining.
Derived from the lining of seashells, mother of pearl is helpful with you want to feel like a kid again. It’s perfect for when you want to spend the day playing, discovering, and imagining.
Onyx comes in many colors, but the black variety, in particular, is said to foster self-assertion and the preservation of physical strength.
Peridot is one of the few gemstones that come in only one color. Like a four-leaf clover, it is said to bring the wearer good luck and fortune.
Prehnite is said to help fuse the heart’s desire with the will to keep going and going, even on the worst days. If you need stamina, this is your friend.
The Ancient Greeks believed that clear Quartz was ice that had frozen so completely that it could never melt again. Other Hellenic peoples thought it was fragments from the heavenly skies. All shared a belief that Quartz could amplify positive energies.
Named after the Greek word meaning rose, this stone is purported to increase one’s sensitivty to sound and music.
Known throughout ancient cultues as the stone of love, rose quartz allows one to open the heart to love others, as well as one’s true self.
This intricate stone’s metallic inclusions have been thought help energy move. It’s the perfect gemstone with you need to get things done!
Serpentine’s name is thought to come from either its serpent-like colors or patterns or the fact that many tribal cultures have considered it an effective talisman against snakebites. Serpentine encourages the ability to solve conflicts by peaceful means.
Usually found in mountainous areas, Smoky Quartz helps channel thought during meditation, and can help one follow through on their highest hopes and aspirations.
Obsidian was highly valued in certain Stone Age cultures because it could be fractured to produce blades or arrowheads. Spiritually, it is thought to help you find clarity in your thoughts.
Sodalite’s high sodium content is responsible for this material’s name. Its white veins have, throughout history, suggested communication and connectedness with people and places far away.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Produced by the Austrian company Swarovski AG (est. 1895), these crystals come in all colors of the rainbow, and have been in style for over a century. Swarovski crystals are manufactured and precision-cut to bring out the highest degree of sparkle possible.
Roman soldiers wore tiger’s eye for protection in battle. Beyond the battlefield, tiger’s eye help strikes a balance between rational and more intuitive decision-making.
Roman soldiers wore Tiger’s-eye for protection in battle. Beyond the battlefield, Tiger Eye’s help strikes a balance between rational and more intuitive decision-making.
Also known as ’tourmaline in quartz,’ this stone combines the best qualities of tourmaline and quartz resulting in a gem that helps bridge and harmonize both physical and spiritual energy.
The former pilates instructor in me is so proud to me be the holiday gift guide!
We’re on the list of gifts from the Pacific Northwest!
Featured in the June 2011 with Nicole Richie on the cover!
You can read the entire article at: http://thecravecompany.com/portland/2010/05/26/more-cravings-jewelry-designers-and-shops/
Gemkitty’s Arwa’s Spring jewelry tips were included in this article featuring fashion experts.
See all 16 tips at: http://beauty.ivillage.com/slideshow/beauty-style/whats-in-and-out-for-spring/in_curves.html
Our custom necklaces made their national TV debut on Better! We were featured as part of a segment on the fusion of fashion and technology.
View the clip at: http://blog.gemkitty.com/post/355298938/custom-jewelry-better-tv
We are pleased to be featured on My Shopping Connection’s: Gifts She’ll Love: Jewelry for Valentine’s Day. Thanks!
The elves at Elfster declared us a ’ fun and hip’ gift! Thanks for the delightful review!
Arwa was thrilled to be selected as a featured business owner by Ladies who Launch. Thanks so much for the suport!
We are thrilled to be listed on the 2009 Holiday Style Fashion Gift Guide.
Print ready photos available upon request
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