Yamanashi Jewellery Fair

There are few countries more closely associated with natural diamonds than Botswana. For decades, the country has played a significant role in the global jewellery industry, supplying some of the world’s finest natural diamonds. Yet while Botswana is recognised for its gemstones, far fewer designers have emerged to tell the country’s stories through contemporary fine jewellery.

That is something Laone Rahele hopes to change.

Born and raised in Botswana, Rahele has built a career shaped by both international experience and a deep connection to home. Rather than viewing jewellery simply as something to wear, the designer sees each piece as an opportunity to preserve a story, drawing inspiration from Botswana’s traditions, landscapes and cultural identity to create contemporary collections with meaning.

Today, through Rahele Jewellery, those influences come together in a portfolio that celebrates heritage through modern design. As the designer prepares to exhibit at Milan Jewellery Week this October, the collections offer an opportunity for an international audience to discover a different perspective on contemporary fine jewellery—one rooted in Botswana’s culture, craftsmanship and storytelling.

A Career Built on Opportunity

For Laone Rahele, a career in jewellery design began in Botswana, when a natural artistic ability was recognised and encouraged. What started as a creative interest soon developed into a passion for designing jewellery that carries meaning as well as beauty.

In 2018, Rahele entered the De Beers Group Shining Light Awards, a competition that has helped launch the careers of emerging jewellery designers across southern Africa. Winning first prize marked a defining moment, opening the door to a scholarship at POLI.Design in Milan, where studies explored jewellery, accessories and luxury design while broadening both creative and technical knowledge. Through a partnership with Liberty London, the programme also provided valuable insight into craftsmanship, heritage and the role storytelling plays within luxury brands.

Following studies in Milan, Rahele joined De Beers London as a Junior Designer. Working on live projects provided first-hand experience of the complete jewellery design process, from concept development and CAD modelling through to gouache rendering and collaboration with goldsmiths. It was an opportunity to understand not only how fine jewellery is designed, but also how craftsmanship, precision and teamwork bring every piece to life.

Among those projects was the De Beers Group Oppenheimer Award Pin, inspired by the compass as a symbol of direction, guidance and transformation. Taking the project from concept through CAD modelling to the finished piece provided valuable experience of the journey every design takes before reaching completion, while reinforcing the importance of craftsmanship at every stage of the process.

Although Milan and London played an important role in shaping a career, Botswana remained the constant source of inspiration. Today, the country’s traditions, landscapes and cultural heritage continue to influence every Rahele Jewellery collection, bringing together international design experience with stories deeply rooted in home.

During Laone’s time at De Beers London, Rahele contributed to the design and development of the De Beers Group Oppenheimer Award Pin, taking the project from concept and CAD modelling through to the finished piece

Designing From Botswana

Every Rahele Jewellery collection begins with Botswana.

Rather than looking to seasonal trends or changing fashions, inspiration comes from the country’s traditions, landscapes and cultural heritage. Familiar symbols, objects and stories are reinterpreted through contemporary fine jewellery, creating collections that remain connected to their origins while speaking to a global audience.

One of the strongest examples is the Tukwi Collection, inspired by the traditional Tukwi head wrap. Instead of replicating the head covering itself, Rahele explores its flowing structure and symbolic significance, translating its distinctive folds into refined jewellery through clean geometry and carefully considered craftsmanship. The collection also reflects the Tswana philosophy of Botho, a belief centred on humanity, respect and community, demonstrating how cultural values can be expressed through contemporary design.

Drawing from the Tukwi head wrap, this Pendant translates its symbolic folds and cultural significance into fine jewellery form

The Sebaga Collection draws inspiration from Botswana’s traditional dibaga beads, handcrafted by the San people from ostrich eggshell. Each bead is individually shaped, drilled and polished by hand, using techniques that have been passed down through generations. More than decorative objects, the beads have long represented identity, protection and belonging within communities, carrying stories that extend far beyond their appearance.

Rather than recreating the beads themselves, Rahele has reinterpreted their significance through contemporary fine jewellery. Within the Sebaga ring, three bezel-set diamonds symbolise three traditional ostrich eggshell beads, creating a subtle connection between Botswana’s cultural heritage and modern jewellery design. It is a thoughtful interpretation that honours the craftsmanship of the original beadwork while presenting it through a contemporary aesthetic that feels both refined and timeless. 

In Sebaga, the essence of dibaga is expressed through a clean line of diamonds set in solid gold. The design echoes the structure of traditional bead strands while offering a modern, elegant interpretation suited to mid‑range luxury. Sebaga reflects my commitment to storytelling through jewellery connecting cultural symbolism with accessible, beautifully crafted design.

Nature provides another important source of inspiration. The Letlere brooch celebrates Botswana’s vibrant Lilac-breasted Roller, combining rubies, yellow tourmalines, enamel and a single white diamond to capture the colour and character of one of the country’s most recognisable birds. Elsewhere, Sanctuary of Solitude explores the remarkable engineering of birds’ nests, while Lerako draws on the traditional Tswana hut, interpreting ideas of shelter, memory and home through sculptural jewellery design.

Although every collection tells a different story, they all share the same purpose: to celebrate Botswana’s cultural heritage through contemporary fine jewellery. Rather than looking backwards, Rahele Jewellery demonstrates how tradition can continue to evolve, creating designs that honour the past while looking firmly towards the future.

The Letlere brooch design by Laone Rahele takes inspiration from Botswana’s vibrant Lilac-breasted Roller, combining coloured gemstones and enamel to celebrate one of the country’s most distinctive birds

Looking Ahead to Milan Jewellery Week

From 24–26 October 2026, Rahele Jewellery will exhibit at Milan Jewellery Week, introducing the latest collections to an international audience of retailers, collectors, designers and jewellery professionals.

For visitors, it will be an opportunity to experience the stories behind the collections as well as the finished pieces. Inspired by Botswana’s culture, traditions and landscapes, designs including Tukwi, Sebaga, Letlere and Lerako demonstrate how heritage can be translated into contemporary fine jewellery while remaining true to its origins.

Sebaga Necklace and ring with tukwi bracelet

Alongside the collections, visitors will also have the opportunity to meet Laone Rahele and learn more about the creative process behind the brand. From the earliest research and design development through to the finished jewellery, every collection begins with a story, bringing together cultural heritage with contemporary craftsmanship.

As interest continues to grow in jewellery with a strong sense of provenance and authenticity, Milan Jewellery Week provides an ideal platform to introduce Rahele Jewellery to a wider international audience. Collectors, retailers and members of the trade will have the opportunity to discover the collections first-hand, discuss future collaborations and explore the inspiration that continues to shape the brand.

Appointments during Milan Jewellery Week are welcomed, with meetings available throughout the exhibition for retailers, buyers, media and anyone interested in learning more about Rahele Jewellery.

Sebaga Necklace

Looking Beyond Milan

For Rahele Jewellery, Milan Jewellery Week is another milestone in a journey that continues to evolve.

Each collection reflects a commitment to creating contemporary fine jewellery that remains connected to Botswana’s culture and traditions, demonstrating how heritage can continue to inspire modern design. Rather than preserving these stories in museums or history books, Rahele Jewellery brings them into everyday life through pieces designed to be worn, shared and passed on.

As the brand grows, the ambition is to introduce these collections to a wider international audience while remaining true to the values that inspired them. Every design begins with research into Botswana’s history, symbolism and craftsmanship before evolving into jewellery that balances cultural significance with contemporary aesthetics.

Looking beyond Milan, the focus remains on continuing that conversation through future collections that celebrate Botswana’s identity while introducing new audiences to its creative heritage. It is an approach that places storytelling at the centre of every design, ensuring each piece carries a connection to the people, places and traditions that inspired it.

For collectors, retailers and the wider jewellery community, Rahele Jewellery offers more than contemporary fine jewellery. It offers an opportunity to discover a designer whose work is shaped by culture, craftsmanship and a clear sense of place.

“I’ve always believed jewellery should tell a story. Every collection begins with Botswana, because that’s where my own story began.”

Laone Rahele - Rahele Jewellery, Founder & Creative Designer

Laone Rahele - Rahele Jewellery

The Jewels Club Take

Every year, thousands of new jewellery collections are launched around the world, yet few arrive with a story that feels genuinely personal. What makes Rahele Jewellery stand out is not simply the design of the finished pieces, but the thinking behind them.

Rather than following seasonal trends, Laone Rahele has built the collections around the culture and traditions that have shaped the brand. Whether drawing inspiration from the San people’s traditional ostrich eggshell beadwork, the sculptural form of the Tukwi head wrap or Botswana’s natural landscape, there is a clear thread running through the work. It gives Rahele Jewellery a recognisable identity and a sense of authenticity that many emerging designers spend years trying to establish.

There is also a compelling balance between international design experience and local inspiration. Training in Milan and working with De Beers London provided a strong technical foundation, yet the decision to look back towards Botswana for creative inspiration gives the collections their individuality. Rather than following established luxury narratives, Rahele Jewellery is creating work that reflects culture, craftsmanship and a genuine sense of place.

As consumers continue to look for jewellery with greater meaning and provenance, brands that combine craftsmanship with authentic storytelling are becoming increasingly relevant. Rahele Jewellery offers a perspective that feels considered, personal and connected to Botswana, demonstrating how contemporary fine jewellery can celebrate heritage while continuing to evolve.

With Milan Jewellery Week providing the next opportunity to introduce the collections to an international audience, it will be interesting to see how the brand continues to develop as more collectors, retailers and industry professionals discover the work of Laone Rahele.

Discover More

Laone Rahele will present his latest collections during Milan Jewellery Week, taking place from 24–26 October 2026, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the craftsmanship and stories behind Rahele Jewellery in person.

Collectors, retailers, buyers, journalists and industry professionals interested in learning more about the brand or arranging a meeting during the exhibition are encouraged to get in touch ahead of the event.

Find out more about Rahele Jewellery

Website: raheleltd.design

Email: laone@raheleltd.design

Instagram: @rahele_kaelo

Milan Jewellery Week
24–26 October 2026 milanojewelryweek.com

Appointments can be arranged in advance throughout the exhibition.

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