Omi Woods Jewellery Contemporary Heirlooms Honouring Africa and its Diaspora

I have recently been introduced to Omi Woods, an exquisite collection of jewellery that celebrates our connections to Africa and its diaspora. Founded by Ashley Alexis McFarlane Omi Woods pays tribute to her Jamaican-Maroon and Ashanti heritage. The company takes its name from ‘omi’ meaning ‘water’ in Yoruba and the ‘wood’ references Xaymaca’, the indigenous Taino word for Jamaica which means ‘land of wood and water’. 

Omi Woods is founded on a legacy of passing traditions down through the generations as a way of preserving memories, traditions, culture, and heritage. And in honouring this legacy within her family Ashley began making jewellery inspired by her grandmother who upon her passing had passed down a few pieces of jewellery to Ashley’s mother and aunts. Designed to be treasured each Omi Woods collection celebrates the heritage and histories that inspire it. Omi Woods donates a portion of sales to a local or global non-profit, social organization, charity or cause each year. 

Omi Woods jewellery collections are designed to be contemporary heirlooms and take inspiration from Cowrie Shells, Ethiopian Coptic Crosses, Egyptian Queens, and African coins amongst other symbolism associated with the continent.

Every jewellery piece is handmade from solid gold, gold vermeil, or sterling silver fine metals. Omi Woods is an ethically led company and Ashley takes care to work with conflict-free metals from around the world. Gold sourced from Africa is fair-trade produced by small-scale artisanal mines that support the well-being of miners and their communities by paying fair wages and invested in improving health care, education, safety, and living conditions on the continent.

– Tapiwa

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For further information about Omi Woods visit: https://omiwoods.com

[Image credits: The images shown are sourced from/belong to Omi Woods. If downloaded and used elsewhere please credit accordingly.]