What started as a happy accident became a powerful symbol of ambition and resistance.
The Origin Story
In 2018, I was struggling to get flawless outcomes with my laser.
Frustrated, I decided to lean into imperfection. I started toying with the idea of replicating broken glass using acrylic. The shattered surface was a manifestation of my aggravation while the glittering refraction highlighted the beauty of my glass-like material.
It took many experiments to achieve a realistic look, but eventually a prototype was born.
Then something unexpected happened…
When I displayed these "broken" designs next to my Women of History collection, customers kept repeating the same phrase—"Break the glass ceiling."
Suddenly, this design had a much deeper meaning.
What Does "Break the Glass Ceiling" Mean?
The phrase was first coined in the late 1970s, and popularized in the 1980s by management consultant Marilyn Loden. It refers to the invisible barriers that keep women and other marginalized groups—such as LGBTQ+ individuals, people of color, and people with disabilities—from rising to higher levels of power, particularly in the workplace.
These aren’t formalized rules of course, but they show up as unconscious bias, lack of mentorship, pay gaps, and the absence of diverse leadership.
These aren’t formalized rules of course, but they show up as unconscious bias, lack of mentorship, pay gaps, and the absence of diverse leadership.
Why It Still Matters
Despite real progress, the glass ceiling is still merely fractured—not broken.
Women still earn less than men. Women of color face even greater disparities. Representation at the top remains limited, and the systems that keep power consolidated are slow to change.
Sadly, my feminist jewelry has stayed relevant over time.
That’s why these earrings are more than just an accessory—they’re a statement of purpose.
Designed to Empower
It's harder to change the world when weighed down by heavy earrings—which is why customers love how incredibly lightweight these are. (Acrylic is half the weight of real glass.)
So whether you're presenting in a boardroom, marching for justice, or navigating a male-dominated field, let these empowering earrings be your motivation to push gender equality forward.
Wear them as a personal reminder, a statement of protest, or gift them to a new graduate.
Because of You
The first time I put out a shattered glass earring, a young girl—maybe 12—saw it and said, "This is the coolest earring I've ever seen." (Um, favorite compliment ever!)
Seven years later, I hope that young woman (who technically purchased the first pair of Break the Glass Ceiling earrings!) is gearing up to shatter a few ceilings of her own.
Empowerment has been at the heart of my brand since day one, but it was my customers who transitioned this design from cool to meaningful.