The Honolulu Cult Brand Known for its Precious Metals

Over the past four years, designer Emiko Miyazawa has developed a cult following for her jewelry line, M33Ms—pronounced “Meems.” The brand is carried at several high-end boutiques on O‘ahu and known for its clean-lined aesthetic and clever, moveable parts. Now, the Tokyo-born, Los-Angeles-raised designer is increasingly sought after for her work in precious metals.

Though it can also be custom-ordered in gold, the current M33Ms line is usually made from silver, with occasional white diamonds. “I like to make the jewelry chunky and durable, and with silver, I don’t have to be conservative with how much metal I use,” says Miyazawa. As for those diamonds: “I hide them in the jewelry. I like to have it so only the wearer can see it,” she says. A graduate of the Gemological Institute of America, she has an appreciation for natural stones. “I like pieces that are translucent, that pick up the light. My favorite is chalcedony. It has a billowy, magical quality.”

For the custom pieces—often engagement rings—Miyazawa uses platinum and white gold. Still, her affinity for streamlined minimalism remains evident in the designs, no matter how many carats are involved. Working out of her Kaka‘ako studio, she says, “I like balance. I like the simple life.”