Behind the Design of Aly & AJ’s Jewelry Collection | GLDN

Reintroducing Aly & AJ

You know them. You love them. Their music raised us all. And now they’re back with their most personal work yet, Silver Deliverer, and a live version of their first album, Into the Rush, to celebrate 20 years of their music. Oh, and one other thing they’ve dropped this year? Their first-ever jewelry collection inspired by their journey together, their home, their sisterhood and their music at this stage in their lives.

Pieces featured: Silver Deliverer Charm Necklace, Swallow Charm, Aquamarine Cloud Charm

About the Mementos Collection

When we started working with Aly & AJ, we wanted to create something that honored both where they’ve been and where they’re going next. Jewelry that felt personal to them, but pieces that everyone else could see themselves in, too. 

You’ll find genuine abalone inspired by the canyons of California, deep-blue lapis lazuli as an ode to the ocean, a nostalgic friendship necklace set inspired by their sisterhood, and five iconic charms that are quintessentially Aly & AJ, along with an Americana-inspired bolo necklace and drop earrings, too. 

We refer to these pieces as keepsake jewelry: little bookmarks to collect along your journey, that you’ll still love and look back on decades from now. Like a photo wrapped in plastic on your backseat.

The full Mementos by Aly & AJ collection.

In Conversation with Aly & AJ

What do you want fans to feel while wearing these pieces?

We want our fans to feel like they have a piece of our sisterhood with them when they come to a live show, especially since we will be wearing the pieces on stage ourselves. They’ve been following us for 20 years now, and they deserve to wear something that’s quality and holds sentimental value.

On AJ: Abalone Canyon Bolo, on Aly: Silver Deliverer Charm Necklace

How did you choose the gemstones in this collection?

We really wanted stones that remind us of California beaches and the little treasures that wash up on the sand. Abalone to signify Big Sur where the album images were taken, citrine to symbolize the color of our state flower, the poppy, and aquamarine for the clear blue skies we grew up under.

Pieces featured: California Poppy Charm, Lasso Heart Charm, Abalone Canyon Charm, Aquamarine Cloud Charm, Swallow Charm

Tell us a little bit more about Laurel Canyon and Topanga Canyon. What do these places represent for you, and how do they manifest in your work?

The canyons have always had an immense impact on our love of music and the history of some of our favorite bands who have lived here and created here. The first place we ever lived together after moving out of our parents home was a little cottage in Laurel Canyon. We even made an indie film together in that home. 

We know that sisterhood, friendship and togetherness are key themes in Silver Deliverer. What does sisterhood mean to the two of you specifically? How has it given shape to your lives?

Sisterhood is the foundation of our band and where it all began. We started as two sisters writing music together in our bedroom as young girls and now we’ve been doing this for over 20 years. 

Piece featured: Shared Heart Necklace

Did anything about the design process surprise you? Did the pieces go in the direction you initially thought? 

Everything fell together so naturally with the team. It’s really interesting to see the design side of another creative world that we don’t usually work in, and the time and prep that’s needed for it to all come together. It felt similar to an album rollout in a way. Chrissy (GLDN founder and lead designer) has been so enthusiastic and open about all the personal touches we wanted to bring to it. We’re so glad we waited to release jewelry in this way, where there’s intention and quality behind every piece.

How do you choose looks for shows and tours? What goes into the decision process?

We like to source as much vintage as we can. It feels like a way we can be sustainable as a band, plus we prefer the cuts of past eras. For this upcoming fall tour we pulled a lot of pieces from Roundtop, TX.

Do you have any family heirloom jewelry that you wear every day, or any family heirlooms that inspired these pieces?

Aly wears a ring from our mom from the ’80s daily, and AJ performs a lot of the time in a black onyx and diamond signet ring from our late grandma. We’re looking forward to passing down some special jewelry pieces and vintage watches to our future children. We also have two incredibly unique bolo ties from Santa Fe that we will keep forever.

On AJ: Silver Deliverer Charm Necklace, on Aly: Silver Deliverer Charm Necklace and Golden Coast Earrings

How would you sum up your current style in a few words?

“Americana” is a great word for it. We’re American women making West Coast music that hopefully everyone can relate to. 

The poppy is one of the most prominent symbols in your work. What does this flower mean to you? 

Not only does the poppy symbolize California, but when making the album, two California poppies bloomed in our producer (Jonathan Wilson’s) yard the day Aly’s son was born. When I (AJ) met Jack for the first time, I brought those two poppies over in a glass vase to set by her bedside. Aly has now pressed and dried those flowers in a keepsake book.


Pieces featured: California Poppy Earrings, California Poppy Charm

Are there other symbols that show up in these pieces (or in your new album) that feel reflective of your current journey as artists? 

I think the greatest theme throughout this album is deliverance. Music has delivered us through some very tough times, and it’s always seen us through. We believe it has a healing power. We’ve seen it firsthand when we write about a personal experience in the studio and walk away from the session feeling cleansed. We are in this for the long haul, and we hope to be playing this music on stages around the world for many years to come. 

Mementos by Aly & AJ x GLDN is available for preorder now, and includes a limited edition Aly & AJ silk-blend bandana inspired by their sun-soaked world.