The new fine jewelry brand Miraco offers consumers “statements, not basics,” according to its founder and CEO, Samira Baraki, who says she wants Miraco’s collections to be appreciated as elevated yet attainable.
Headed by a woman of color, the company—which officially debuted on Oct. 10—emphasizes inclusivity and diversity, Baraki says, and it approaches design, manufacturing, and marketing differently from other jewelry companies.
Baraki created her company name by combining part of her first name and the letters co to represent the team behind her vision. The New York–based brand manufactures its jewelry in Istanbul and Milan, Baraki says.
Miraco’s gold jewelry is affordable because its primary material is hollow gold, which Baraki says marries “the beauty and allure of gold with comfort and wearability.” She calls this “the lightness of luxury”—quality materials without the typically higher prices of fine jewelry.
“While the jewelry space has become more crowded over the years, discerning customers have encountered a common challenge where the essence of true quality and craftsmanship has been lost. And on the other hand, the luxury category has retained its exclusivity in price,” Baraki says. “This is exactly the blank space that Miraco is addressing and what sets it apart from others.”
Miraco’s necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets start at $300 and average in price between $1,200 and $1,500. Its most luxurious pieces are the 14k gold Atlas earrings featuring pavé diamonds in a knotted pattern, priced at $5,980. Among Baraki’s favorites in the collection are the Rumi earrings, with their distinctive elongated shape.
“I have always loved elevated jewelry and enjoyed seeing pieces, especially the Ethiopian pieces I grew up seeing, as proud adornments of cultural expression. I loved the idea of investing in these pieces that I can keep forever or pass down to my family,” Baraki says. “Growing up, I didn’t really feel like luxury jewelry was for me because of the high price point and the lack of representation in the market.”
Miraco will hold itself to a higher standard in terms of representation, Baraki says. “As a woman of color, it was important that I build Miraco with inclusivity at its core. These values will continue to remain a guiding principle in everything we do,” she says.
“It is essential that we build the brand, our internal team, and visual marketing materials with diversity top of mind, which you’ll see come to life through our model casting, talent partnerships, and more over time.”
She got the idea for Miraco after purchasing a few jewels from a local atelier in Istanbul. “When I got home to the United States, the pieces were appraised for significantly more than what I had paid. I realized there could be an opportunity to bring more people luxury pieces at a lower entry point in price and more inclusive in representation,” she says.
Prior to founding Miraco, Samira worked for companies including United Airlines and The RLJ Companies. She earned her B.S. from Loyola University and later got a MBA from Strayer University. She says she looks forward to developing Miraco as a lifestyle brand that may include more than fine jewelry as it grows.
“Right now we are focused on luxury jewelry, but we have so many ideas that we’d like to explore within the category. We are excited to see what our customers love the most from our first collection and will continue to evolve over time,” Baraki says. “Miraco feels like the start of a new chapter, and the best one yet.”
Top: Gold necklaces and earrings are in the debut collection of Miraco, a new jewelry brand that offers affordable luxury, according to founder Samira Baraki. (Photos courtesy of Miraco)
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