Our Story
It all started on the shores of Hanalei, Kauai
Growing up in the peaceful beach town of Hanalei on Kauai’s North Shore, our founder Michelle was always a creative entrepreneur at heart. As kids, she and her siblings made flower leis and sold them at the end of their street. That love for art and making things by hand only grew from there.
In high school, she started making jewelry, simple pieces using sea glass and shells she found while beachcombing and diving and sold them to friends. Her passion eventually led her to study studio art and jewelry design in Florence, Italy, where she soldered custom pieces for classmates out of her dorm room.
But no matter where life took her, one thing stayed the same: the struggle to find beautiful jewelry that wouldn’t tarnish, turn skin green, or cause irritation. So in 2016, she officially launched XO Hanalei. A line of handcrafted, high-quality jewelry made with 14k gold filled and other hypoallergenic materials, designed to be lived in, layered, and loved every day.
Today, XO Hanalei is more than just jewelry. It’s a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and island roots. Each piece is made with intention so you never have to choose between beauty, comfort, or durability.
The name XO Hanalei is a love letter to where it all began, Hanalei, Kauai. Where our founder’s story started and where the inspiration still flows.
Michelle and her brother watching the surf both wearing our Saint Christopher Coin Necklace
Throwback to one of our Very first XO Hanalei designs
Michelle and her husband enjoying the sunshine in Hanalei Bay
Why We Do It
We started XO Hanalei out of necessity and passion. After years of traveling and immersing ourselves in different cultures, fashion, and design, we fell in love with jewelry as a form of self expression. But we were constantly frustrated by having to choose between beauty and durability. We were tired of pieces that looked good for a moment but did not last. Tired of irritated skin, tarnished chains, and trends that felt overpriced and disposable.
So we created something better.
XO Hanalei is built on the belief that jewelry should be effortless, long lasting, and made for real life. Our pieces are designed to move with you, whether you are swimming in the ocean, sleeping, or heading out on a spontaneous weekend trip. Jewelry you can truly live in and still feel beautiful every time you wear it.
Each piece is thoughtfully designed using high quality, hypoallergenic materials and handcrafted with care. Inspired by travel, fashion, and timeless design, our jewelry is made to be layered, worn daily, and loved for years to come.
Because you deserve jewelry that keeps up with you. Jewelry that feels personal, intentional, and effortlessly you.
OUR MATERIALS
All XO Hanalei jewelry is hypoallergenic, handcrafted, and made with high-quality, sustainable materials. We’re committed to creating pieces that are safe for sensitive skin, designed to last, and beautiful enough to wear every day.
14K GOLD FILLED
Our signature material—14k gold filled—contains 100x more real gold than standard gold plated jewelry. It’s waterproof, tarnish-resistant, and safe for sensitive skin, making it perfect for daily wear and ocean dips alike.
We love gold filled because it offers the beauty and durability of solid gold at a more accessible price point. It’s the perfect balance of luxury and longevity.
GOLD VERMEIL
Gold vermeil is made with a thick layer of real gold over a base of 925 sterling silver. It’s another great option for those with sensitive skin and is used in a few of our earrings and charms.
While not as durable as gold filled, we still love gold vermeil for its rich look and solid silver core.
14K SOLID GOLD
Our fine jewelry collection features solid 14k gold pieces made to last a lifetime. Ethically sourced in the U.S., our solid gold and diamond pieces are designed for effortless, everyday elegance.
We keep our prices as fair as possible—so you can invest in timeless staples without the traditional retail markup.
