Leighton Lam Designs

Leighton Lam Designs is a Hawaiian jewelry brand founded in 1979 by artist and lifelong surfer Leighton Lam. The company handcrafts jewelry in its Honolulu studio, drawing on Lam's early experimentation with resin as an art medium on hand-shaped surfboards. That discovery led to the launch of Ear Art® earrings, which pioneered the surfboard resin jewelry concept. Over the decades, the brand expanded into collections such as the Hawaiian Nature Collection®, pearl designs, and the Liv-n-Aloha Collection, offering pieces that celebrate Hawaiian culture, flora, and the ocean. The brand's product range includes earrings, necklaces, and bracelets featuring freshwater and Tahitian pearls, carved shell, gold and rhodium settings, and motifs like plumeria, honu (sea turtles), and Hawaiian quilt patterns. Leighton Lam Designs operates as a small family business spanning two generations, with a team of craftswomen and craftsmen. It sells primarily through its official website, offering free shipping on U.S. orders, and also provides custom corporate gifting with low minimums, design previews, and curated packaging. Positioned as authentic, locally made Hawaiian jewelry, the brand emphasizes everyday wearability with artistic grace. Its collections include Hawaiian Nature: Gold Classics, Hawaiian Nature: Pearl Gallery, Liv-n-Aloha Collection, Tahitian Pearl Collection, Pua / Kai O Aloha (Carved Shells), and Lani 'Ae Collection. The company has created custom pieces for partners such as Punahou School, Kualoa Ranch, Carmel Valley Ranch, ʻIolani Palace, the British Museum, Hanahauʻoli School, Dole Plantation, and Alii Kula Lavender Farm. Leighton Lam Designs remains a private, family-owned business headquartered in Honolulu, Hawai'i, and continues to share the aloha spirit through its handcrafted jewelry.

Leighton Lam Designs was founded in 1979 by Leighton Lam, an artist and lifelong surfer, in Honolulu, Hawai'i. Lam's artistic journey began during his teenage years when he created his own surfboards using resin as the medium. Intrigued by the flow and blending of different colored resins over his hand-shaped surfboards, he recognized its potential as an art medium. This realization marked the beginning of his lifelong career as an artist. In the 1970s, Leighton exhibited his resin artwork in art shows throughout Hawai'i and the states, with much of his work evoking the ocean. In 1979, he launched Leighton Lam Designs, inspired by his love of the ocean and his discovery of resin as an art form. In the 1980s, he pioneered the surfboard resin jewelry concept by launching Ear Art® earrings. His first jewelry collection was created to offer something unique and artistic, yet accessible to everyone. Ear Art® earrings were modeled by Kristy Turlington. In the late 1980s, the Hawaiian Nature Collection® began with the intention of elevating Hawaiian designs and themes, imbuing them with dignity and class. This collection is renowned to this day. In the early 1990s, the brand ventured into pearl designs that capture the spirit of the ocean and Hawai'i, offering a blend of unique styles. Since its founding, Leighton Lam Designs has skillfully handcrafted jewelry in its Honolulu studio. Guided by Leighton's vision and supported by a team of talented craftswomen and craftsmen, each piece exudes a unique blend of originality and artistic grace. As a small family business spanning two generations, the company deeply appreciates the support from its customers. Its aspiration is to provide more than just locally crafted jewelry, but also a lasting sense of aloha. Over the years, the brand has expanded its collections to include Hawaiian Nature: Gold Classics, Hawaiian Nature: Pearl Gallery, Liv-n-Aloha Collection, Tahitian Pearl Collection, Pua / Kai O Aloha (Carved Shells), and Lani 'Ae Collection. It has also created custom pieces for corporate gifting partners such as Punahou School, Kualoa Ranch, Carmel Valley Ranch, ʻIolani Palace, the British Museum, Hanahauʻoli School, Dole Plantation, and Alii Kula Lavender Farm. The company continues to operate as a private, family-owned business headquartered in Honolulu, Hawai'i.

• 1990

  The brand ventures into pearl designs capturing the spirit of the ocean and Hawai'i.

• 1988

  The Hawaiian Nature Collection® begins, elevating Hawaiian designs and themes.

• 1980

  Leighton pioneers the surfboard resin jewelry concept by launching Ear Art® earrings.

• 1979

  Leighton Lam launches Leighton Lam Designs in Honolulu, Hawai'i.

Authentic, handmade Hawaiian jewelry blending island heritage with modern everyday wear; family-owned and locally crafted in Honolulu.

• Ear Art® earrings

  Pioneering surfboard resin jewelry concept launched in the 1980s.

• Hawaiian Nature Collection®

  Collection elevating Hawaiian designs and themes, begun in the late 1980s.

• Tahitian Pearl Collection

  Pearl designs capturing the spirit of the ocean and Hawai'i.

• Liv-n-Aloha Collection

  Collection reflecting the aloha spirit.

• Lani 'Ae Collection

  Collection featuring Lani 'Ae bead bracelets.

• Pua / Kai O Aloha (Carved Shells)

  Carved shell jewelry collection.

• Lily Freshwater Pearl Earrings

  Classic pearl earrings with rhodium setting, 1 inch length.

1. 1Leighton Lam Designs | Handmade Hawaiian Jewelry Since 1979 | Honolululeightonlam.com
2. 2Our Story | Leighton Lam Designsleightonlam.com
3. 3Lily Freshwater Pearl Earrings | Leighton Lam Designsleightonlam.com
4. 4Corporate Gifting | Leighton Lam Designsleightonlam.com
5. 5Leighton Lam Designs - Wikidatawikidata.org