Los Angeles jewelry brand Kirk Kara is marking its 135th anniversary this year with a new collection. For the first time in over 20 years, the heritage brand is expanding beyond its bridal collections to debut a new line of fine jewelry. With 50 pieces, including earrings, necklaces, and bracelets, the versatile collection offers a modern twist on Kirk Kara’s signature romantic style, rooted in craft, history, and heirloom appeal.
For CEO Angela Karaguezian, who now leads the brand founded by her great-grandfather in 1890, this expansion is more than a product launch. “Celebrating 135 years is deeply personal for me,” she says. “It’s not just a milestone, it’s my family’s story, our artistry, and our passion passed down through four generations.” Angela, who is also a designer, describes the new collection as a continuation of that legacy, one that honors the past while embracing the spirit of today’s woman.
Kirk Kara has long been known for its intricately detailed engagement rings and wedding bands. The decision to move into fine jewelry, notes Angela, was shaped by conversations with clients and retailers who were looking for pieces to wear every day or gifts for other life milestones. “We stayed focused on bridal because it’s the heart of our brand,” says Angela. “But now felt like the right moment to answer that call, in a way that’s true to our heritage.” The result is a line that leans on contemporary aesthetics. There’s also an emphasis on versatility and personal expression, with pieces meant to layer or stand alone.
“We’ve always been storytellers of romance, and this collection is no different,” she says. Angela and the team at Kirk Kara took inspiration from nature, vintage art, and architecture, but softened the lines and infused them with the intricate details they’re known for — hand-engraving, milgrain edging, and vibrant gemstones. These hallmark details are given a fresh perspective through bold baguette cuts, modern silhouettes, and the use of sapphires, diamonds, and colorful gemstones. “The interplay of these classic and modern elements creates a new take on our aesthetic,” says Angela. “It balances softness with strength, romance with refinement.”
Retail prices start at $1,990 in 14k gold, with more elaborate designs scaling up depending on the gemstones and craftsmanship. Designed to be “timeless and wearable,” the collection reflects a broader shift in how people think about jewelry; not just as adornment for one moment, but as something that carries authentic meaning and emotion across a lifetime. “Today’s clients are looking for jewelry that celebrates personal milestones, self-expression, and meaningful gifting moments beyond engagements and weddings,” adds the designer. And this prompted the brand to create pieces that speak to those moments.
For Angela, who represents the fourth generation of the family business, this new chapter is both a continuation and a reinvention. “As Kirk’s daughter, I feel a profound responsibility to honor the artistry and values passed down to me,” she says. “But I’m also passionate about evolving the brand in ways that connect with new generations in fresh and personal ways — through storytelling, design, and digital platforms.”
Kirk Kara’s 135-year legacy has always centered on romance, craftsmanship, and detail. With this new fine jewelry line, the brand reaffirms its dedication to emotional design and reimagining “our heritage” for today’s world.” “Our legacy has always been about more than jewelry,” says Angela. “It’s about family, emotion, and creating heirlooms that live on.”
