When Jameel Mohammed, founder of Afrofuturist jewelry brand Khiry, launched his new capsule collection with J.Crew, the moment felt full-circle. Mohammed often recalls a middle-school shopping trip to J.Crew with his aunt Sharon, which inspired him to think of fashion as “dressing artfully.” Now, years later, his signature talon silhouettes are sold under the same brand that first sparked his creative journey.
The six pieces in the Khiry x J.Crew capsule collection
The Khiry x J.Crew line features six sculptural pieces priced between $49.50 and $178—a fraction of what Mohammed’s luxury collections usually retail for. Designed around the talon motif, each piece tells a story of strength and survival, balancing fullness with scarcity, toughness with softness.
But this collaboration raises a bigger question for the entire fine jewelry sector: can accessible luxury really scale without embracing lab-grown diamond jewelry?
Right now, the capsule is anchored by crystals, enamel, and clean metallic lines. But in 2025, a generation of younger shoppers is demanding more than affordability—they want values. They want sustainable jewelry with lab-created diamonds, pieces that merge story-driven design with ethical production.
Khiry x J.Crew’s two-talon necklace with sculptural pavé crystal pendant has an adjustable-length leather cord ($89.50).
The success of this J.Crew partnership proves that mainstream consumers are hungry for sculptural, symbolic jewelry at approachable price points. Yet the obvious next step is to integrate lab-grown diamond accents in entry-level designer collaborations—bridging high design with ethical, everyday luxury.
Mohammed’s talon cuffs and necklaces already embody resilience and cultural narrative. Imagine how much louder that message would resonate if the sparkle came from sustainably grown diamonds instead of mined stones.
The jewelry market is shifting fast. Accessible lab-grown diamond jewelry collaborations may soon define the future of both retail giants like J.Crew and visionary designers like Khiry. What Mohammed has achieved with this capsule is more than just jewelry—it’s proof that values, storytelling, and design can merge in powerful ways. But the true test is whether the industry will take the leap and bring lab-created diamonds into mainstream collaborations.