We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rachel & Elizabeth Mandelbaum a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Rachel & Elizabeth, we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?
My love language has always been gift giving. I’ve always believed that small moments of kindness can change the way someone moves through their day. Since we were little, our parents taught us to include others however we could. There were always extra place settings at the holidays for anyone who needed a place to go. We grew up giving charity, fundraising, and learning that generosity isn’t just an action but a posture toward the world. My generosity comes from wanting people to feel cared for.
At Gold & Honey, that same spirit guides everything we do. We design jewelry that’s meant to make you feel happy, and every step of our process considers the wide-lens impact on the people involved. From concept, to CAD, to the artisans who craft each piece, to the customer opening their package at home. We don’t compromise on ethics just to compete with cheaper alternatives.
And we truly listen. Customers reach out with new color requests, accessibility suggestions, or ideas for causes to support, and we do our best to bring those things to life. We want our customers to feel like they’re part of our family. If there’s a charity that matters to them, we’re honored to add it to our growing list. We also don’t ever want someone to feel like they have to struggle to afford a fun piece of jewelry. That’s why we offer a wide range of price points and give the strongest discounts we can, especially during the holidays.
For me, it’s never been about perfection or endlessly giving. It’s about showing up, creating something meaningful for others, and offering what we can, when we can. Generosity is woven into who we are as people, and as a brand.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Our love for jewelry is truly generational. As four sisters who grew up as the daughters of a jeweler, creativity was woven into our daily lives. We were raised with hands-on training that shaped both our artistry and our values. When we launched Gold & Honey, we set out to create the next generation of jewelry design with pieces that make a statement, empower the wearer, and challenge the way people think about fashion jewelry.
Elizabeth and I both worked for luxury designer David Yurman, an experience that deeply influenced our approach. We learned the importance of craftsmanship, detail, and storytelling. But we also wanted to add a bit of “honey” to the traditional formula. That meant exploring materials beyond classic gold and silver, incorporating gold leaf, bold color, and playful elements that reflect different personalities. We’re not afraid to deviate from tradition if it means creating something fresh, joyful, and expressive.
Accessibility is another core pillar of our brand. Inspired by both our community and our own experiences, we became passionate about making jewelry truly wearable for everyone. Rachel lives with Myasthenia Gravis, an autoimmune disease that affects vision, mobility, and speech. When she found herself unable to put on a bracelet or earrings on her own, it prompted us to pause and design with greater intention. Today, our pieces include thoughtful features like large ear backings, magnetic bracelet closures, and oversized necklace clasps because beautiful jewelry should feel effortless, not frustrating.
We also prioritize sustainability wherever possible and work continuously to make our collections accessible across generations. Offering a range of price points is important to us, and we’re always striving to create jewelry that is fashionable, meaningful, and within reach.
Our community plays an essential role in everything we do. Customers regularly reach out with color requests, accessibility needs, or suggestions for charities they care about. If someone asks for a new hue, we work to bring it to life. If there’s a cause that matters to them, we’re honored to support it as part of our growing list of charitable partnerships.
Professionally, we’re incredibly excited about what’s ahead. Each season, we introduce new enamel colors, expand existing collections, create limited-edition pieces, and build deeper charitable partnerships that allow our customers’ passions to help shape ours.
At the heart of it all, Gold & Honey is about showing up, creating something meaningful, and offering what we can, when we can.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three things stand out as the most impactful in our journey: intuition, resilience, and the willingness to listen.
First, learning to trust your intuition has been everything. Growing up in the jewelry industry gave us a foundation, but it’s instinct for design, for people, and for timing that has guided our biggest decisions. Trends will always come and go, but your point of view is what truly sets you apart. My advice is to pay attention to what naturally excites you and practice backing your own ideas, even when they feel scary. The more you act on your instincts, the stronger they become. We laugh because there have been quite a few collections that initially flopped… only to be exactly what’s on trend three years later. Sometimes you’re just ahead of your time.
Second, resilience is essential. Building something meaningful takes time, and setbacks are inevitable. You’ll find designs that don’t land, collaborations that don’t work out, moments of doubt. We’ve learned not to see those moments as failures, but as feedback. Staying curious instead of discouraged is what allows you to keep moving forward. For anyone early in their journey: be patient with yourself. Progress isn’t linear, and persistence often matters more than perfection. Not everything goes viral right away. You have to build and keep building.
Finally, listening. Truly listening! This has shaped both our work ethic and our brand. Listening to customers, consultants, and even your own limitations can open doors you didn’t know existed. Some of our most meaningful design choices came directly from customer feedback and lived experience. My advice is to stay open to learning, ask questions, and don’t be afraid to ask for help. You don’t need to have every answer. Growth happens when you create space for collaboration.
If there’s one overlapping lesson, it’s this: build with intention, stay grounded, and don’t rush the process. The skills will come, the confidence will grow, and the journey will teach you more than any single milestone ever could.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
Our ideal customer is someone who values self-expression and finds joy in the details. They see jewelry not just as an accessory, but as a way to reflect their personality and individuality. They’re drawn to ethics, accessibility, and sustainability even if they don’t always have the language for it. They appreciate craftsmanship and thoughtful design, while still wanting pieces that feel wearable, fun, and within reach.
At the end of the day, our ideal customer is someone who wants to feel bold, is kind at heart, and is excited to be part of a brand that celebrates individuality, which is why they keep coming back for more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.goldandhoney.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gold_and_honey
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GoldAndHoneyJewelry/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
