By any objective standard, Melinda Maria, founder and chief creative officer of Melinda Maria Jewelry, is one of the world’s most successful fashion jewelry designers, and one of its most influential. With tasteful; versatile yet glamorous designs, high quality synthetic opals, top-notch simulated diamonds (yes, there are appreciable qualitative differences between types of synthetic gemstones), Melinda Maria designs look far more precious than they actually are. Winning style and substance has propelled the privately owned, 20-year-old company into new directions, and it opened its flagship boutique inside its Los Angeles headquarters in February 2025.
Melinda Maria Jewelry Los Angeles Headquarters
The company’s exotically-hued HQ is painted in the same luscious lavender that colors Melinda Maria jewelry pouches, boxes and tissue paper. A La Brea Avenue landmark, the building brightens the cityscape with a touch of much-needed joy as Los Angeles recovers from January 2025’s apocalyptic wildfires in Altadena, the Pacific Palisades and Malibu. A testament to Melinda Maria’s design talent and business acumen, the boldly colored structure also echoes its founder’s irrepressibly exuberant style, and spirit.
On the morning we met, the leggy, blue-eyed, long-haired blonde wore Melinda Maria jewels in her ears, around her neck and wrists, along with multiple rings. “I always wanted to be a jewelry designer when I grew up,” she reflected. “Styling jewelry is still one of my favorite activities, in addition to designing.” Rather than going overboard on bling, however, her jewelry looked fine and polished. A touch festive, yes, but classic enough to wear to Harvard Business School, where she recently completed a program for executives whose businesses have generated strong sales several years in a row.
Melinda Maria Jewelry Boutique
Touring through her first-ever store, Melinda explained, “We’re calling this space the ‘Melinda Maria Social Club.’ Although it’s a retail boutique,” she related, “we also intend for this to be a gathering place, an event center. We have a number of in-person events planned that I will lead, all of which will celebrate something related to the brand or the community. While making a cup of tea for a visitor, she elaborated, “We will be coming together to help worthy causes such as the L.A .Wildfire relief efforts, and we will also stage virtual events such as live happy hours with our team, along with how-to sessions in jewelry styling. I look forward,” she continued, “to conducting question and answer sessions with our customers.”
Illuminated by vintage Italian Murano glass lighting fixtures and radiant Los Angeles sunshine, the serene space glows with elegant blonde wood furniture and a centrally located, violet marble table from Italy that’s topped with vibrantly hued, fresh flowers. Created by the Los Angeles floral studio The Hidden Garden, the custom-designed bouquets contain blooms flown in from Holland.
While the boutique’s cozy vibe invites visitors to stop and smell the roses, the space was conceptualized by stylist and interior designer Estee Stanley, who has designed homes for Jessica Biel and her husband Justin Timberlake, among other A–list performing artists. Lavender-toned, padded velvet displays glitter and gleam with Melinda Maria jewels, including the best-selling ’Julian Loves Diamonds’ necklace and bracelet, comprised of classic 18-karat gold plated links and simulated diamonds, the ‘Love Letters Medallion’ plated in 18-karat gold and mother of pearl, plus the ‘Not Your Basic Tennis Necklace’, which is precision-made of 18-karat gold plated brass and cubic zirconia that gleams with diamond-like brilliance.
When queried about the commercial goals of the Melinda Maria boutique and Social Club, the entrepreneur admitted, “We are more interested in creating strong connections and meaningful experiences than meeting specific sales targets. We see ourselves,” she related, “as using this space to bring people together so that the Melinda Maria community can grow.” Like all successful brand builders, the jewelry designer focuses on cultivating caring relationships with employees, customers and others. “Our customer service philosophy is simple,” she stated. “Treat everyone as if they were a best friend. People need and love to connect and feel like they belong, and we feel the same way,” she mused. “We just try to engage with customers in all ways possible. We are here to listen, and act as catalysts for connection.”
Philanthropic Compassion In Action
Another way that Melinda Maria connects with the world is through philanthropy.The company, however, does far more than write checks or sponsor tables at fundraising galas. Melinda Maria and her employees roll up their sleeves and work together on existential projects in league with non-profits like A Sense of Home. (This Los Angeles-based charity provides youths who are aging out of foster care with furniture, lighting, bedding, bath and kitchen supplies, plus artwork, to create their first homes.)
“Everyone deserves to live in a safe, beautiful place where they can grow and thrive,” Melinda Maria said. “For many young people who experienced foster care, their past residences may have been physically and emotionally dangerous. Some individuals who are served by A Sense of Home,” she continued, “may also have endured homelessness.” Reflecting on her company’s experience, she fondly recalled, “Something magical happened when we welcomed a young woman into the newly furnished apartment that we worked on for her next chapter in life. We left with full hearts thankful to be a small part of her new beginning.” (Before leaving, the crew also gifted the young woman some jewels from Melinda Maria.)
Melinda Maria Creates The Future Today
Rather like Buddha, who defined the meaning of life as “Now,” Melinda Maria acts in the now to help her company, customers and community. “I feel strongly,” she began, “that our time is one of the most valuable resources we can donate. As individuals and as a company, we can benefit people through significant actions. Whether we contribute as individuals, participate as a company in group events, or mentor within Melinda Maria to grow more unified and effective,” she noted, “this helps everyone in the moment, and it helps create a better future.”
Celebrity Styling à la Melinda Maria
Taylor Swift has been wearing the brand’s jewels for years. One of the singer/songwriter’s favorites is the ‘Julian Loves Diamonds’ necklace, which she has been photographed in multiple times. The gold-plated links of this Cuban link chain ground a sparkling array of smartly set cubic zirconia stones. Retailing for $118, the necklace embodies goddess glamour at a price that many mortals can afford. Melinda Maria Jewelry is also worn on the red carpet by international human rights attorney Amal Clooney, singer/actors Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Selena Gomez. While rapper and songwriter Megan Thee Stallion also sports Melinda Maria, so does Kendall & Kylie Jenner, Hailey Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Roberts, Charlize Theron, Kate Beckinsale and Reese Witherspoon. One wonders which celebrities (or their stylists?) may become habitués of the new Melinda Maria Social Club and boutique.