Tucked away in the electric pulse of Midtown Manhattan, just beyond the noise of traffic, lies AARYAH — a fine jewelry brand marrying elegance and intention. Founded in 2020 by Megan Kothari, who was featured on Vogue earlier this year, AARYAH’s pieces are not just stunning. They’re meaningful, responsibly sourced, and designed by and for women.
Upon entering the showroom, Megan walked EnVi through the sleek glass cases, where various pieces rested on velvet-lined trays like tiny sculptures. The walls were brushed in neutral tones, allowing the vibrant hues of the jewelry to take center stage. We were especially awestruck by the gemstones, which caught the light and refracted it like little stars on display.
After the tour, we took our seats near the center of the room at a small table. Surrounded by the sparkle of her beloved collection, EnVi spoke with Megan about AARYAH’s journey and its growing influence in the world of fine jewelry.
Designed for the Female Gaze
As Megan recounted her earliest memories with the jewelry industry, she laughed lightly — it was originally a path she did everything to avoid.
“Funny story is, my family — including extended family — is all in this industry. But I wanted to be as far as possible from this space,” she explained. “I think growing up in both a South Asian household and the patriarchy, I just wanted to do my own thing.”
Her professional journey began in beauty, working with industry giants like L’Oréal and Estée Lauder. Eventually, she found herself gravitating towards jewelry “in a very natural way.”
“It started as making engagement rings for friends,” she recalled. “Initially, the industry looked very different 10 years ago. There was no space for women’s voices in fine jewelry.”
In the year following AARYAH’s debut, women were reported to drive 90% of demand for jewelry products. However, only 2% of companies surveyed by the Responsible Jewellery Council had commitments to procure from women- or minority-owned businesses. Additionally, in the United States, only 2.2% of management positions were held by Asian women at the time.
Even so, Megan’s work with AARYAH is about more than upping a statistic — she’s revolutionizing the industry’s perspective of who makes jewelry and who they make it for. The centerpiece of her business is its unique selection of rings, which intends to put the wearer first while reimagining traditional aesthetics. According to Megan, AARYAH’s stylistic approach is “marrying the diamond and the design.” Rather than creating a band and finding a gem to put in it, they carefully “design around the individualistic qualities” of the stone.
The business’s turning point came with the Dracona ring — a triangular design with a complex suspension setting. Innovative, intentional, and a perfect balance of elegance and comfort, this piece helped shape what would become AARYAH’s design ethos.
“I love triangles. There’s a lot of symbolism behind triangle-cut diamonds,” Megan said as she gently held the Dracona ring in her hand. “It really represents women’s femininity, along with the past, present, and future.”
Centering Culture and Sustainability
“AARYAH” comes from the Sanskrit name “Arya,” meaning “rare and precious.” But much like her jewelry designs, Megan “wanted to put [her] own twist on the spelling.”
Most emblematic of this are AARYAH’s custom nameplate collections. “My parents gave me my name because they wanted me to live a better life in this country,” Megan shared. “They were like, ‘No one can pronounce our names, so we’re gonna give you an easy name.’”
To challenge the very notion of what makes a name “easy,” AARYAH’s nameplates are created in over 30 languages. They intend to celebrate identities that are often watered down in the name of assimilation and palatability. More than anything, Megan expressed, they’re about “paying homage to who you really are” by “wearing your name proudly on your neck.”
That same commitment to authenticity carries through every part of the brand — even down to the materials. Just as the custom nameplates reclaim identity and language, AARYAH’s ethical sourcing philosophy reinforces their respect for where things come from. As such, Megan works exclusively with conflict-free stones, primarily sourcing from Canada due to their conscientious labor laws.
“We try to find mine-to-market diamonds where we can trace back to the mines. The industry has a really bad reputation, but natural diamonds support so many ecosystems. Some mines are even in remote locations, supporting communities with jobs, education, and schooling,” Megan shared.
Diamonds Are Forever
In a world of mass-produced accessories, AARYAH stands out as a brand built on intention, shaped by heritage, and grounded in the lived journey of its founder. Each day, Megan designs with purpose, creating pieces that feel like fate for the people who wear them.
“We need to open doors for others and be the change we want to see,” she said. “There’s power in our perspective, and no one can tell us we don’t belong.”
With every collection, AARYAH puts women center stage — not just in the spotlight, but behind the scenes as well. These heirloom pieces aren’t just beautiful; they are labors of love carrying generational weight.
For Megan, this work is more than design. It’s devotion.
“Everything I do is authentic to my perspective and experience as a South Asian American woman,” she shared with EnVi as the interview came to a close.
To learn more about AARYAH and follow their upcoming releases, check out their website and Instagram!
Interested in learning about more AAPI women-led businesses? Check out EnVi’s interview with Joy Flower Pot owner Kelly Nguyen here!
