Ever wondered what it’s like to build a fine jewelry brand with your sisters and best friends? For our Belle&Kate Adores feature, we spoke to the women behind Majene Jewels—Elsa Kurniawan, Roberta Kartasasmita and Rahmani Nitiyudo—about their vision to create modern, gold-based pieces for everyday wear. They share the joys and challenges of building a brand across careers and families, the brutal yet respectful honesty that keeps their partnership strong, and the bags and accessories that define their timeless style.
Scroll down to read our full Q&A with the co-founders of Majene on vision, friendship, and jewelry that lasts a lifetime.
Q: What was your vision for making Majene stand out when you started the business?
Elsa: I want to create a more modern jewelry that is gold based and to make it more daily and relatable pieces.
Q: If Majene Jewels were a person, what would the personality be like?
Rahmani: A: I think definitely like the cool and confident girls—the girls that, you know, they can just—they're super creative. They can pick Majene pieces and just style it with what they use in their everyday lives. Definitely cool and confident.
Q: What's your favorite memory from building Majene together?
Elsa: Yeah, I think brainstorming the whole brand, like what Mani says, just not conceptualizing. I want to say the endless calls that we had for 8 months, but that was really fun as well. Because I think the full dedication is there and that was really fun to just be with your sisters, your partners.
Q: What's been your biggest challenge, and how did you lift each other up through it?
Roberta: I think one of the main challenges we have is because all of us actually have jobs and careers and families and children. Just always like reassuring each other, making time and compromising like, "Okay, if she can't do it, okay, we'll do it at this time." Like, just understanding each other, you know, and really being there for each other is what's lifting us up.
Q: Working with your best friend isn't always easy, what's your best advice for making it work?
Elsa: I think brutal respectful honesty. That is probably the key.
Q: What has been the most fulfilling moment of your journey so far?
Roberta: The whole process of everything and especially like coming up with our new collection, which, oh my god, gives us goosebumps too when we just looked at it the other day. So, yeah, I think that really is the exciting part for us.
Q: How do accessories shape your style, and do you have a piece that holds special meaning?
Rahmani: My alphabet pendant with the necklace. I use it every day to work. I even use it to weddings, birthday parties. So, it definitely can elevate any kind of look. And my favorite piece would be the pinky ring. Literally, you've gotten so many compliments, by the way. The pinky signet ring.
Q: What's the ultimate bag-and-accessory combo you swear by?
Elsa: I think like that's the thing with Majene Jewels. I think it just goes with literally any bags in your closet.
Q: How do you think the right bag elevates the way jewelry is worn and styled?
Elsa: I think the right kind of bag hardware is important 'cause like you also don't wanna have too many mixed materials, mixed metals. While it is great, but you also don't want it to be too overpowering.
Q: If you had to choose one bag that truly represents you, which one would it be and why?
Elsa: Hermès because it's timeless, just like Majene pieces.
Roberta: My favorite bag is the Chanel 22, the black and gold. I think I wear that absolutely yeah, to death.
Rahmani: Chanel Flap Bag. Definitely represents me. You could use it up or down.