For a ring as unique as you are, consider Jewelry by Johan. Their unique materials (meteorite, sandblasted titanium and wood for example) ensure you’ll have a ring that is unlike all of your friends’. We wanted to get an insider’s perspective on what the company prioritizes when making these beautiful baubles, so we spoke with Johan’s daughter Leanne Kolodziej to find out some secrets behind this creative family affair.
Since 2008 when Johan himself was making the rings in his garage and selling them through Etsy, his Minnesota and hand-made works of art have been pleasing a variety of couples. Inspired by nature, each ring is unique and as Kolodziej explains, “We handcraft everything personally and can modify all of our items. Or, create completely custom designs.” With a constant flow of customers, Kolodziej says each day is busy and exciting, “Every day we receive a seemingly endless stream of calls, emails and website chats from people around the world. And, our Oakdale-based design center is open for shopping and free design consultations.”
Jewelry by Johan makes engagement and wedding bands, but they also make bracelets, necklaces, earrings, cufflinks and tie clips. With their distinctive design aesthetic and unusual materials, they have great options for bridal party gifts. Your groomsmen love to fly fish? Jewelry by Johan makes sterling silver cufflinks inspired by their favorite hobby, that contain sections of a stream map and a real fly fishing lure in the bezel. For bridesmaids, consider a charm bracelet, where each person can be gifted charms of different materials, from whiskey oak barrel to dinosaur bone.
Of all of the materials used at Jewelry by Johan, Kolodziej says her favorite is meteorite because it is so unique. And while its unusual materials and creative designs are the keys to Jewelry by Johan’s success, inspiration comes from the couples themselves, “[Our design inspiration comes from] The amazing couples we work with. Each is unique and, with our extensive variety of material offerings, we are able to create rings that perfectly represent their personalities and their love for one another.” While many in the wedding industry describe their business as unique and customized, Jewelry by Johan is also “customer-driven” which means you are helping create (or giving input on) the jewelry you’re going to be wearing for the rest of your lives. And while couples come and go, what never changes for this family-run local business is “The expectation of quality. And we strive to always offer a top-quality product.” The proof is seen in just some of the beautiful images above. To see some of these quality rings first hand, come see the Jewelry by Johan booth at the Twin Cities Bridal Show.
