Even in the face of an economic downturn, it feels like new jewelry designers are popping up constantly, with fresh brands and venture concepts. The demi-fine and fashion jewelry markets have steadily expanded—and as a result, there’s a new crowd of designers launching their first collections. But most importantly, they’re playing by their own rules, with groundbreaking designs, brand continuity, and approaches to bringing jewelry to market. Whether they’re following in the footsteps of a family legacy or pursuing a new dream, these designers have a unique story to tell—and the collections speak for themselves. Meet just a few of our favorites, below.