In an industry where luxury often comes with exclusivity, fine jewelry designer Suzy Levian has spent the last 15 years redefining what jewelry can be. Using accessible metals and stones to design for all women, Levian has championed accessibility through innovative design while crafting a powerful platform, EmpowerHer, for empowering women entrepreneurs.
Breaking 500 Years of Tradition
Levian’s journey began with breaking barriers in her own family. As the first woman in over 500 years of jewelry heritage to create her own line, she faced significant challenges rooted in traditional gender roles. Previous generations believed “only the men can work and the women cannot.”
When her father passed away, the family business was passed down to his sons, following traditional practices. This pivotal moment sparked Levian’s determination to forge her own path. “I needed to make a change. I needed to be the difference,” Levian recalls.
Starting her company in 2010 as a young mother of six children—”six kids within ten years”—Levian understood firsthand the challenges women face when building businesses while managing family responsibilities. This personal experience would later become the foundation for her charitable mission.
The Secret Diamond Philosophy
Central to Levian’s brand is the Secret Diamond®—a hidden diamond embedded in every piece, from jewelry to handbags and home décor. This signature element represents more than design; it’s a philosophy about inner strength and hidden potential that extends directly into her philanthropic work.
“I wanted every woman who wears a piece of jewelry to know that there’s something hidden inside of it, to remind them of their own hidden talents,” Levian explains. The concept emerged from her own struggles with confidence and her realization that “true beauty is from within.”
This philosophy of recognizing and nurturing hidden potential became the driving force behind her charitable initiatives. “It’s not just jewelry. It’s meaning,” Levian often says, a belief that carries through to her commitment to helping other women discover their own hidden strengths as entrepreneurs.
The Suzy Levian Beauty Bar added a touch of sparkle and sophistication to the 2025 Gurus Beauty Awards. Photo by Ghost Media Photography.
EmpowerHer: A Charity for Change
While Levian has been quietly supporting women entrepreneurs for years, 2025 marked the official launch of EmpowerHer™, her nonprofit organization dedicated to providing grants, scholarships, and mentorship to women-led businesses. The initiative formalizes what she had been doing informally—using her success to lift others.
“For years I’ve always been networking and trying to help new entrepreneur women and trying to guide them through the struggles that I also went through myself,” Levian notes. The decision to make it official came from recognizing the growing impact of her efforts and the need for a structured approach to help more women.
Hands-On Mentorship
What sets Levian’s approach apart is her personal involvement. In one memorable instance, a young entrepreneur called the Suzy Levian office hoping to speak to someone about business advice. While the caller expected to leave a message, she was immediately transferred to Suzy Levian herself.
The girl was flabbergasted, “This is Suzy herself? Like you’re on the phone??” and without missing a beat Suzy replied, “they told me that there was a girl who needed advice, so what’s going on?” As Levian puts it: “If it’s a person who is struggling, who wants guidance, who wants some words of encouragement. I’ll pick up the call.”
This accessibility reflects Levian’s core values. Having experienced “the hardships of founding her own business while raising six children,” she found strength from other women who supported her journey. EmpowerHer is an official commitment to paying it forward.
Madison Brodsky, styled in Suzy Levian jewelry at the brand’s beauty bar, shined at the 2025 Gurus Beauty Awards. Photo by Ghost Media Photography.
A Network of Support
EmpowerHer operates on multiple levels, providing not just financial assistance but comprehensive support for women entrepreneurs. The organization connects women with networks of other business owners, creates collaboration opportunities, and offers educational resources through video series addressing common business challenges.
“It’s connecting people that can potentially help each other.” Rather than creating dependency on a single mentor, Levian has built “a whole network of women helping each other.”
Luxury That Gives Back
Levian’s commitment to charity extends beyond EmpowerHer. She donates 20% of all gross proceeds to charitable organizations, embodying her philosophy of “luxury that gives back.” This approach transforms customers into contributors, allowing jewelry purchases to support broader charitable missions.
“Impact has to be woven into every piece of her brand.” This integration of commerce and charity isn’t an afterthought—it’s fundamental to how Levian operates her business.
Marisa Juliette styled in Suzy Levian jewelry at the 2025 Gurus Beauty Awards. Photo by Ghost Media Photography.