CARBON & HYDE
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE JEWELRY INDUSTRY?
Y & O: We are third generation jewelers. It all started with our grandfather who was a diamond dealer in Israel. Our father worked under him, cutting and setting diamonds in the diamond district in Israel. In his 20s, our father moved to LA and started a full-service manufacturing house focusing on bridal and engagement and he has been doing it for nearly 40 years now. We came into the business in 2013 and started our own line of fashion and fine jewelry. We consider ourselves very fortunate because we had all the tools before getting started.
DID YOU HAVE ANY TYPE OF DESIGN BACKGROUND?
Y & O: The two of us were always creative and artistic. We took art classes throughout childhood and both took art classes in college. We didn’t have any formal jewelry design training but we grew up in the shop with our dad so we already knew a lot about jewelry and diamonds prior to launching ‘Carbon & Hyde’. Our mom was a fashion designer in Israel so we grew up being very interested in fashion and design. She used to design custom jewelry pieces for us in the shop when we were younger. I guess you could say jewelry and design is ingrained in our DNA. Professionally, after college but prior to launching our own company, we lived in New York City for three years and both worked in the fashion industry. Yarden was in production at Elie Tahari and Oren was in production at a high end fashion events production company, CS Global.
HOW LONG HAS YOUR COMPANY BEEN IN BUSINESS?
Y & O: Since 2013.
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO START YOUR COMPANY?
Y & O: We also always knew we would one day join the family business but we weren’t as interested in bridal and engagement jewelry, which is what our dad’s shop specializes in. When we were ready to close our New York chapter, we had our eyes on creating our own line – a line of everyday jewelry pieces that spoke to our personalities. We always felt like there was a lack of affordable and on-trend fine jewelry in the market. We were looking to create a casual and young collection in the $2k sweet spot. At the time, there was a large amount of costume jewelry or very expensive high-end fine jewelry above $5k so we wanted to be more accessible to 20 – 30 year olds.
WHERE ARE YOU BASED?
Y & O: Los Angeles.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM?
Y & O: Los Angeles.
ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE YOUR JEWELRY
Y & O: Timeless.
IS THERE A UNIQUE STORY BEHIND YOUR BUSINESS NAME?
Y & O: ‘Carbon & Hyde’ represents leather and diamonds. When we started the company, we were introducing the leather choker so the name ‘Carbon’ for diamond and ‘Hyde’ for leather, was a hybrid name for us. We designed the logo after we came up with our company name. Being third generation jewelers, we wanted to incorporate the diamond into our branding.
WHAT’S THE FIRST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH?
Y & O: When we were both born, we were given little bracelets with vintage links and our names engraved. That was the first piece we ever had. Throughout our childhood, we wore a lot of chunky antique necklaces.
WHO IS YOUR JEWELRY ICON?
Y & O: We always love Emily Ratajkowski. She always wears just enough jewelry to make it stand out and never overdoes it. She wears classic everyday pieces but isn’t scared of a statement piece.
WHAT IS YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL?
Y: Black jaguar.
O: Leopard.
IF A THEME SONG PLAYED EVERY TIME YOU WALKED INTO A ROOM, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Y: 'Finesse' by Bruno Mars & Cardi B.
O: The Game of Thrones theme song.
DO YOU HAVE A PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY YOU WEAR EVERY DAY AND IF SO, WHY?
Y: I’ve worn our Olympia Mid-Finger Ring every day for the last four years. It’s magical how comfortable it is and I love the way it looks floating around the knuckles. It is classic with a little edge.
O: My Floating Heart Necklace. The diamond was a gift from my grandfather and we custom designed a floating setting for it. I also wear our Throne Ring everyday and I love it more and more every time I look at it. It’s so enchanting.
DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE
Y: Basic with a zing.
O: Classic feminine with an edge.
LAST PIECE OF JEWELRY YOU BOUGHT AND LOVED
Y & O: We can’t remember the last time we bought something from another designer but from our collection:
THE THING YOU ARE COVETING NEXT
Y: A Gucci belt. So overplayed but I still need it.
O: My trip to Bali.
THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE GIVEN RECENTLY
Y: I gave my friend a photo of something sentimental from college.
O: I was in Hong Kong and bought my sister an authentic pair of chopsticks since she is obsessed with sushi.
THE BEST GIFT YOU’VE RECEIVED RECENTLY
Y: A diamond neon sign.
O: A surprise birthday party.
YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH...
Y: Diamonds.
O: Chocolate and diamonds.
FAVORITE FOOD?
Y & O: Sushi.
LEAST FAVORITE FOOD?
Y: Capers.
O: Candy.
WINE OR CHEESE?
Y & O: Wine.
COFFEE OR TEA?
Y & O: Coffee.
YOGA OR BOXING?
Y & O: Yoga.
FAVORITE SEASON?
Y & O: Summer.
FAVORITE CITY?
Y & O: Los Angeles.
FAVORITE VACATION SPOT?
Y & O: Israel and Greece.
THE LAST SONG YOU LISTENED TO?
Y: ‘Échame la Culpa’ by Demi Lovato and Fonsi.
O: 'Havana' by Camila Cabello.
THE LAST CONCERT YOU WENT TO?
Y: Sia.
O: Kanye.
FAVORITE MOVIE?
Y: Austin Powers Goldmember.
O: Kill Bill.
SUPERPOWER OF CHOICE?
Y: Flying.
O: Invisibility.
SECRET SKILL?
Y: I am a really good cook.
O: I can touch my nose with my tongue.
SOCIAL MEDIA OF CHOICE?
Y & O: Instagram.
FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY?
Y: Lunch time with Oren and mornings.
O: Dinner time.
LEAST FAVORITE PART OF THE DAY?
Y: 4 to 5 o’clock in the afternoon – it’s shipping hour.
O: Morning - I’m not a morning person and I love to sleep in.
YOU WON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT...
Y: Cellphone.
O: ChapStick.
WHEN DO YOU FEEL HAPPIEST?
Y: When I'm with my family.
O: When I’m on a beach vacation.
WHEN DO YOU FEEL STRONGEST?
Y & O: Right after yoga.
HOW DO YOU PICK YOURSELF UP FROM A LOW DAY?
Y & O: Yoga.
Y: I’ve been practicing yoga for three years now.
O: I've practiced yoga for the last 10 years.
WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL HAPPIEST?
Y: Right now, hoops.
O: Engagement rings. You get to work so closely with the clients and make them so happy, making it really rewarding. The custom process is also fun.
WHAT PIECE(S) OF JEWELRY MAKES YOU FEEL STRONGEST?
Y: A ring my dad reset featuring a diamond my grandmother gave my mom. It’s a way to connect to all three of them in one piece.
O: Anything that has an evil eye or monogram.
WHAT DOES JOY MEAN TO YOU?
Y: Having your stomach hurt from laughing.
O: Having a strong family and a successful job.
WHAT DOES CONFIDENCE MEAN TO YOU?
Y: Happiness.
O: Being happy.
WHAT DOES EMPOWERED MEAN TO YOU?
Y: Independence.
O: Running your own business.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Y: Say yes to everything.
O: Follow your heart and don’t be scared of doing what you want to do.