Women laughing around a long table set with pearls, shells and champagne

Our story · Since 2012

For the beauty. For the bite.

Founded in 2012 by South African designer Kristin Weixelbaumer, Black Betty is a jewellery and piercing studio for those drawn to striking pieces with an emotional connection.

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2012 Founded by Kristin Weixelbaumer
Handmade In South Africa
Natural Hand-cut gemstones & precious metals
3 studios Cape Town & Johannesburg

Soulwear

Jewellery that plays with the boundaries between contemporary style and ancient beauty.

We create, and pierce with, pieces made from natural hand-cut gemstones and precious metals. Black Betty values the individual: each of us is formed with different imperfections, desires and passions, and every piece is made to be an expression of yours.

This isn't decoration. It's declaration.

Who is Black Betty?

Kristin Weixelbaumer

Born in Johannesburg and raised in Cape Town, Kristin studied Art Direction and Graphic Design at Red & Yellow. Her true journey began when she changed her life and spent almost a year in India, finding a new connection with herself through yoga, tarot, reiki and crystal healing.

That path was bound up with the healing powers of metals and stones, and jewellery design followed naturally, filled with inspiration and raw passion. It is with the same feeling that she nurtures Black Betty today.

At our core: the relationship between beauty and imperfection.

Hands wearing a diamond snake bangle and gemstone rings

An heirloom

It began with a ring

Kristin's love of jewellery starts with a ring designed by her grandmother: undulating coils of gold in the shape of a snake, with a black diamond for an eye. Today every woman and girl in the family wears her own replica, the eye set in her birthstone. Another serpent, a diamond snake bangle, adorns Kristin's wrist.

A piece is found in the earth, passes through the hands that cut and mould it, and finally reaches the wearer, who may pass it down for generations.

Jewellery is personal.

Why Black Betty?

Own your black

‘Betty’ is how we speak of all women and all that we are: our strength, femininity and unstoppable force. ‘Black’ is her inner force. There is nothing more powerful than a woman who owns her black: confident, courageous and captivating, having accepted all of herself, the dark and the light.

Women's empowerment is fundamental to us. The stones we work with are naturally flawed, because that is what makes us unique, and that is where our power lies.

Flaws and all.

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What we believe

Made to mean something

Natural gemstones
Honouring Mother Nature
We believe in the power of natural gemstones. The right piece can ground you, bring balance and release negative energy, connecting you to your core.
Explore our stones
Bespoke
Made with you
Each bespoke piece is created through a personal journey with our clients: pieces that hold lasting memories and are passed down through generations. Being part of that journey means everything to us.
Design your piece
Ear curation
Your voice, your ear
Our ear curation focuses on your choice of piercing jewellery and placement. We want your voice to shine through.
Discover piercing