Gemma Hearn spent her childhood soaking in South Africa’s fertile landscape. Now, she designs her jewelry brand, Wolf People, based on South Africa’s rich, colorful sunsets, the feeling of its salty fresh ocean and the melting pot of its unique cultures. She incorporates her love of the Vail Valley — her home since 2005 — into her Colorado “Snowflower,” a combination of the Columbine flower and a snowflake, designed to represent both the summer and winter seasons she loves equally. Her designs also reflect a love of travel, history, nature and, overall, kindness. In fact, her one-of-a-kind pieces not only contribute to women feeling empowered; they also help save lives.
Hearn and Nthabiseng Dibakoane met in 2015, the same year Hearn launched her jewelry business. They began working together designing beaded and roped jewelry that Dibakoane would make. A year later, Dibakoane got in a car accident.
“I lost everything — my car and almost my business” Dibakoane shares. “But Gemma’s support was always giving me strength.”
When COVID hit, Dibakoane’s situation became even more dire. “Things were bad in a way that I couldn’t cope. I couldn’t manage to feed my son, since there was no business during COVID, but through her support I managed to survive,” Dibakoane says. “Her orders all the time helped me to put a plate on my table.”
Their work together has also provided work to other artists in Dibakoane’s community in Mabopane; half of sales proceeds go to Dibakoane and her community, providing higher pay than women could typically receive in the region.
“They are very grateful when I tell them about Gemma’s orders,” she adds. “We want to do more like this so we can provide more opportunities for my community.”
In addition, Hearn supports artisans in India, whom she met through her world travels. They employ traditional practices, handed down through generations, to set gemstones. Hearn is also a huge animal lover, so a portion of proceeds from Wolf People supports animals through donations to ASPCA and WWF.
Hearn believes jewelry is more than just a fashion statement. She asserts that it’s an expression of love and connection, which conveys a story.
When women wear an arrow pendant or gold anchor earrings from Wolf People’s Shield Maiden Collection, Hearn hopes women feel empowered; the Shield Maiden Collection reflects the story of the Viking culture’s strong and fierce women warriors.
Gemma Hearn began selling her jewelry at farmer’s markets in Minturn, Vail, Breckenridge and Dillon. Though she still offers Wolf People jewelry at Vail and Minturn markets, the following retail stores also showcase her pieces.
Revival Vail Valley, 175 Main St Unit C-107, Edwards, CO 81632
The Landing Mercantile Beaver Creek, 45 W. Thomas Pl. Number C23, Beaver Creek, CO
Blitz Boutique Vail, 242 E. Meadow Dr., Ste B, Vail, CO 81657
Ruby Jane | Valley Girl Boutique Breckenridge, 232 S. Main Street, Breckenridge, CO 80424
Vela Apparel, 41149 US-6, Eagle-Vail, CO 81620
Hygge Life, 41149 US Hwy 6, Avon, CO 81620
“The Wolf People meaning is to be fiercely passionate, brave and powerful, kind and respectful, adorers of Mother earth and all her beings,” Hearn says. “The jewelry makes you feel connected to yourself … and gemstones are a piece of the earth that you can wear close to your skin, close to your heart.”
Hearn encourages women to find their own personal expression by layering pieces to create their own look.
She designs her pieces with the goal of providing quality jewelry at an accessible price range, which she accomplishes by keeping her own costs down. One way she does this is by keeping gemstones as raw as possible, rather than highly polished.
“Her love for creativity and nature comes to life in each of her pieces, and she never ceases to amaze me with her ongoing devotion to creating meaningful, beautiful jewelry,” says Madi Bennett, one of Hearn’s most loyal and repeat customers. “They each tell a story of their own through their intricate designs, and it’s evident that Gemma’s amazing attention to detail makes sure this is true in every design she creates. Her stunning jewelry is a reflection of her own gorgeous, loving personality, and it serves as a reminder of the wonderful person Gemma is, inside and out.”