If there is a theme to Ashley Ann Lyons Porter’s career, one might say it is the idea of permanence—materials and moments that are long-lasting. It also is a word that seems to resonate with her fine jewelry.
A prime example is what Porter is doing right now—she’s in Bali learning stone carving from a master. Yes, you read that right. Stone, like rock. Not gemstones, although she’s a huge fan of those as well.
“It’s been an incredible journey and I’m excited to release my fine art sculptures in 2026,” Porter says via email. “Working with stone has allowed me to see my designs evolve on a larger scale, bringing them to life in a way I never imagined.”
Whether it is stone, gemstones, exotic skins, or precious metal, Porter says she connects deeply with what the earth provides and what her hands can create. She hopes to share that feeling with her clients online or in person at her New Orleans boutique.
These Mystic Pyramid earrings ($1,450) are part of Porter Lyons’ Winter 2025 collection, which is a tribute to Egypt and the magic within each person. The model also is wearing charms including the Heka Cartouche ($1,450) and the Duat Skull ($2,350).
“There’s something profoundly fulfilling about creating with my hands and mind—it’s what truly nourishes my soul,” Porter says.
Looking back, Porter says her childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area started her love for nature as she felt surrounded by beauty and sunshine. She has two older brothers, and Porter says her tomboy life was ideal for having adventures.
Her creative side felt nourished by her mom, and they shared a love for exploring. One of their favorite places to visit was a store called All That Glitters, and the owner there made jewelry feel electric, interesting, and transformative, Porter says.
“I realized how jewelry could transform an outfit and, more importantly, resonate with my soul,” Porter remembers. “Each one was like a treasure, kept safe in my jewelry box. That’s where my love for jewelry first began.”
After high school at Menlo School in the Bay Area, Porter graduated with a bachelor of science in marketing and art studio from Tulane University in 2008. She also earned a master’s in finance from Tulane in 2009.
Porter Lyons brings its love of nature and the exotic to life through its Tooth 30 necklace ($275), which is based on an alligator’s tooth and can be arranged in 30 lengths.
She started her finance career at Merrill Lynch in Los Angeles, earning her Series 7 license. While working full-time, Porter took night classes to earn her associate’s degree in fashion design. That love for apparel and accessories pushed her to leave finance and move to New York City, where she worked with Balenciaga and Ralph Lauren.
Porter drafted a business plan to launch an exotic skin belt line, rooted in Louisiana, which brought her back to New Orleans. Her family has called the city home since 1866, and her inspirations for fashion and jewelry come from its history, vibrant energy, and soulful charm, Porter says.
“Jewelry found me in a way,” she says. “It started with my work in fashion and my connection to the craftsmanship of exotic skins, particularly alligator leather. As I explored deeper into the material, I discovered the bones underneath and felt a spark to create something unique.”
Porter started casting them into jewelry, a medium that allowed her to blend nature, history, and personal expression. She says it felt like a natural evolution from ready-to-wear to jewelry-making. Today, Porter Lyons includes classics like tennis necklaces and signet rings alongside her other passions like alligator motifs and fossilized shark teeth.
“Jewelry is so much more than just visual storytelling, it’s a personal connection, almost as if the piece speaks to your soul, offering messages that might even tie in to past lives,” Porter says.
“It represents significant moments that define our lives. The stones I use are always natural and sourced from Mother Nature, and I believe these stones carry energy, have metaphysical properties that affect us on a frequency we can’t see. It’s a deeply personal experience.”
Top: Ashley Lyons Porter started making jewelry upon her move back to her family’s home in New Orleans, where she now has a jewelry and accessories store (photos courtesy of Porter Lyons).