Editors

Monisha Melwani Is Miami’s Best Fine Jewelry Find

EditorsApr 01, 2021

Monisha Melwani Is Miami’s Best Fine Jewelry Find

She’s the city’s go-to for piercing parties and personally styled jewelry looks.

20210401_MonishaMelwani1.jpg
Monisha Melwani’s clients-turned-friends come to her for personally styled looks, particularly earrings for multiple piercings. (Images courtesy of Monisha Melwani)
Today, when a brand launches, one might expect a website or Instagram account with some eye-catching graphics, “Coming Soon” emblazoned alluringly across an otherwise empty feed.

Weeks, or even months, later would come a peek at the actual product for sale.

Monisha Melwani has run her fine jewelry business in opposite fashion.

The Miami-based designer has been selling her array of on-trend, easy-to-wear-and-layer fine jewelry basics for well over a decade and only begun branding her eponymous collection in the last two to three years.

“I started branding more when the girls,” she says, motioning to her employees Catherine and Maria, “were like, we need to do an Instagram, a Facebook.”

Until recently, “Her business was all word of mouth,” Maria tells me, at their showroom in the Miami suburbs, where Melwani has been headquartered for the last 10 years. “Her clients are very loyal.”

With a little help from her younger employees, Melwani is now firmly in the 21st century, filling South Florida’s dearth of aspirational-yet-attainable jewels with her flattering diamond and gemstone styles.

She doesn’t have a storefront, but she’s become the local queen of the piercing party, with her very own in-house piercer. She pops up at local businesses she collaborates with and even throws parties at clients’ homes.

It’s collaborating with her clients-turned-friends that Melwani loves and inspires her creations, styling a client’s ear with multiple earrings to create a look that’s uniquely them.

Collaboration is how she got into jewelry in the first place.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Melwani lived in New York City and Nigeria in her early adulthood before settling in Miami 20 years ago.

A family friend hired her to sell his traditional Indian jewelry at trunk shows on the weekends, so she had most of her time free to take care of her three young children. It was the flexibility he offered that drew her into the jewelry world.

“He gave me that opportunity to work weekends and work my own hours,” she said. She did that for five to six years.

20210401_MonishaMelwani2.jpg
Monisha Melwani is most inspired by her friends and clients. Together, they stack and layer to achieve an individualized look. (Images courtesy of Monisha Melwani)

Out of the relationships she formed with clients, Melwani began to branch out into design and manufacturing.

“I had so much support from clients and people I met along the way who were so good to me,” she says. “They would come back to me and ask me ‘Can you get me this, can you get me that?’ That’s how I started developing a line. I saw what they needed and wanted.”

Fluent in Cantonese, Melwani’s Asian background helped her connect with factories overseas. Today she produces “all over Asia,” in India, Hong Kong, and Bangkok.

As her employees, clients and loved ones have encouraged Melwani to think bigger picture with her brand, she’s created a bustling e-commerce home and developed a wholesale business. 

From business decisions to design inspiration, it’s connection with others that fuels the company.

“I think it’s the camaraderie that I have or people have with us [that inspires me],” she explains. “I don’t want to be a total online store. I want that Zoom call or Facetime. I like that human connection.”

For Melwani, her jewels are meant to be ageless. 
 
“I always wanted to design for everyone. I never wanted to be an age-bracket jeweler.”

As Mother’s Day approaches, Melwani is feeling pearls, “because every single woman can wear them, whether you’re a grandmother or a young little girl with pearl studs.”

Though she says a lot of her collection is genderless (just ask Dwayne Wade, who wore several pieces for a recent editorial photo shoot), she’s also crafting more pieces with men in mind specifically. 

“There’s a niche in the market,” she says. “I have nephews that love jewelry and clients that love it.”

So much so that at a recent brand photoshoot, there were male and female models, who were—in line with the brand’s collaborative ethos—personal friends of the designer.

“What inspires me are my clients and friends who come up to me and ask me if I can make them something. I’m inspired by the people around me and what I like or what I’d like to see on people. It’s a shared inspiration. It’s a family.” 
Ashley Davisis the senior editor, fashion at National Jeweler, covering all things related to design, style and trends.

The Latest

Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Retailer Hall of Fame 2025: Tom Dixon

As chairman of Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, Tom Dixon has been tasked with honoring the past and shaping the future of the family-run store.

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher of Shimmer LLC
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2025
Here Are the Winners of the BIJC, JA ‘Emerging Jewelers’ Grant

Katty Villapando Lyte and Mica Rencher received a $10,000 grant for their business, Shimmer Culture LLC.

Cooper Flagg family at Day’s Jewelers
IndependentsOct 14, 2025
Day’s Jewelers Crafts Custom Jewelry for No.1 NBA Draft Pick Cooper Flagg

The parents of the Dallas Mavericks rookie bought their engagement ring at a Day’s store in Bangor, Maine, in 1997.

LIM-401 2024 National Jeweler Supplier Bulletin- iD100 Web and Eblast FINAL (2) (1).jpg
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your Business

You deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.

Pragnell Kitulo Garnet collection
SourcingOct 14, 2025
Pragnell Debuts Kitulo Garnet Jewelry

The UK-based brand sourced the gemstones, which are fully traceable, from an artisanal mining community in Tanzania.

Weekly QuizOct 09, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Astrid & Miyu 2025 12-Day, 24-Day, Solid Gold Advent Calendars
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Count Down to the Holidays With Astrid & Miyu’s Advent Calendars

The trio of Advent calendars include a version with 18-karat gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry in a red lacquer jewelry box.

Front of Marla Aaron porcelain Nymphenburg Lock
CollectionsOct 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Marla Aaron’s ‘Nymphenburg Lock’

Created in collaboration with Nymphenburg Porcelain, the lock is part of a four-piece collection that took two years to bring to fruition.

ja_fall_2024_by_headshot_stories_6824.jpg
Brought to you by
JA New York Fall Is Right Around the Corner

The upcoming show provides savvy retailers with the opportunity to stock their cases with best sellers in advance of the holiday season.

Alisa Bunger Frederick Goldman
MajorsOct 10, 2025
Frederick Goldman Names New VP of Sales

Jewelry industry veteran Alisa Bunger has taken on the role.

Feriel Zerouki, De Beers Chief Trade and Industry Officer
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Feriel Zerouki Is Leaving De Beers

The company and industry leader’s two-decade tenure with De Beers will come to a close at the end of the month.

Fabergé Imperial Winter Egg
AuctionsOct 09, 2025
This Fabergé Egg Could Crack $27M At Auction

“The Winter Egg” set the world auction record for a Fabergé piece twice at previous Christie’s sales.

Kessler watch battery recycling program
MajorsOct 09, 2025
Sy Kessler Buying Watch Batteries as Silver Hits Record High

The company will pay 1.5x silver’s current spot price for each pound of silver oxide batteries submitted.

Katkim Men’s Collection Shadow Pendant Necklace and Anerise Signet Band
CollectionsOct 09, 2025
Katkim Launches First Men’s Collection

The line includes a “Shadow” series crafted exclusively for the new men’s offering and reimagined styles from the brand’s core collections.

Gemfields Rough Rubies
SourcingOct 09, 2025
Gemfields’ Mini Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Garners $11M

The rough on offer was recovered from a newer area at the Montepuez mine.

“Storied Diamond Desert Sands of Eternity” engagement ring and wedding band
SourcingOct 08, 2025
In ‘Storied Diamond,’ Jared Jewelers Is Emphasizing the Journey

The retailer’s new collection of engagement rings and fashion jewelry is set with natural diamonds that are traceable via blockchain.

Emily P. Wheeler Ombré Collection Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Emily P. Wheeler Shifts Into Neutral for Latest ‘Ombré’ Collection

The champagne colorway in her newest “Ombré” collection combines white and trendy brown diamonds, a departure from her usual vibrant hues.

MRK x MFA Tsuba Charm Necklace Collection Campaign
CollectionsOct 08, 2025
Tsuba Designs Inspire Monica Rich Kosann’s New Charms

Kosann partnered with the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, to create a set of necklaces inspired by the artwork on samurai sword handguards.

Stock image of a gavel and law books
CrimeOct 07, 2025
Men Who Posed as Utility Workers Found Guilty in Jeweler’s Murder

Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo face life in prison for the October 2024 murder of 72-year-old Detroit-area jeweler Hussein Murray.

Zoë Kravitz Wearing Jessica McCormack Tempest Sapphire Pendant and Tempest Diamond Necklace
CollectionsOct 07, 2025
Jessica McCormack Looks to Sea Spirits for ‘Tempest’ Collection

The brand’s first high jewelry collection, “Tempest” plays with movement while calling to mind the folklore of the sea.

Lightning Ridge Rural Fire Brigade
SourcingOct 07, 2025
Columbia Gem House Announces ‘Opals for Outback Heroes’ Fundraiser

Proceeds from its jewelry raffle will go to a volunteer-run fire and rescue group in the Lightning Ridge area of New South Wales, Australia.

Stuller 2025 S.E.R.V.E. Star Awards winners
MajorsOct 07, 2025
Stuller Names Its S.E.R.V.E Stars for 2025

Stuller said the recipients embody the company’s core values, which include community participation and personal and professional growth.

All four models of Citizen’s new Rainell watch
WatchesOct 06, 2025
This Fall, Citizen’s Forecast Calls for Rain

Citizen’s new “Rainell” women’s watch has a raindrop-shaped case and is available with a silver-, gold-, purple-, or green-colored dial.

Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster 1926
AuctionsOct 06, 2025
The ‘Rolex That Made Rolex’ Heads to Auction at Sotheby’s

The “Mercedes Gleitze Rolex Oyster,” named for the British endurance swimmer who made it famous, will go up for sale next month.

Amit Pratihari GIA India
GradingOct 06, 2025
GIA India Names Former De Beers Exec as New Managing Director

Amit Pratihari was previously the managing director of De Beers India and Forevermark India.

DCWC 2025 Board of Directors
SourcingOct 06, 2025
SoCal 24 Karat Club Integrates Into Diamond Club West Coast

Members of the Jewelers 24 Karat Club of Southern California will gain access to expanded services, resources, and connections, DCWC said.

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco Wedding, Jacob & Co. Watch
TrendsOct 03, 2025
Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco Tie the Knot Wearing Diamonds, White Metals

Gomez’s jewelry included Tiffany & Co. drop-style earrings while Blanco stacked diamonds from Jacob & Co. on his wrist.

HRD Antwerp CEO Paul De Wachter
GradingOct 03, 2025
Grading Lab HRD Antwerp Names New CEO

Diamond industry banking veteran Paul De Wachter will take on the role in January 2026.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy