Jenna Clifford was a beloved South African jeweller who turned jewellery into stories full of meaning and heart. She fought hard to open doors for women in a tough industry and cared deeply about using ethical materials. More than an artist, she was a mentor and a friend, creating a warm studio where clients felt seen and valued. Jenna’s legacy lives on through her family and the many lives she touched with her kindness, creativity, and fearless spirit. Her art and spirit will continue to shine brightly in South Africa for years to come.
Jenna Clifford was a pioneering South African jeweller known for her artistic mastery, ethical sourcing, and mentorship. She transformed jewellery into personal stories, empowered women in the industry, and left a lasting legacy of creativity, philanthropy, and family-driven innovation.
On May 20, 2025, Johannesburg felt a profound sense of loss as news spread of Jenna Clifford’s passing at the age of 68. As one of South Africa’s most iconic jewellers, Clifford left behind a legacy that stretches far beyond gemstones and gold. Her influence resonated through artistic communities, philanthropic circles, and the personal lives of clients and colleagues. The announcement, first made by Cape {town} Etc, quickly set off a wave of tributes across the country.
Her family, especially her daughters Shayna, Chanelle, and Summer, spoke with heartfelt reverence for a woman they called not just a mother but an inspiration, mentor, confidante, and guiding light. Within hours, hundreds of messages poured in from admirers and clients, all sharing stories of Clifford’s warmth, generosity, and unyielding spirit. Even in mourning, the community found comfort in recalling the moments she made special – through her craft or her compassion.
Jenna Clifford’s passing marked more than the end of a career – it closed a chapter in South Africa’s cultural narrative. Her artistry and advocacy touched countless lives, and those who knew her best believe her spirit will continue to inspire generations. The overwhelming outpouring of grief also offered a clear reminder: Clifford’s influence will not quickly fade.
Jenna Clifford’s journey began without the safety net of privilege or inherited fortune. She embarked on her professional path at a time when the South African jewellery industry remained largely inaccessible to women and outsiders. Facing an environment dominated by tradition and hierarchy, Clifford relied on fierce determination and a work ethic instilled from a young age. She took the risks necessary to launch her own business, believing that her vision could set her apart.
Early in her career, Clifford rejected the predictability and impersonality of mass production. She looked to movements like Arts and Crafts for inspiration, championing the idea that every object should reflect the individuality of its maker. Instead of designing for trends or markets, she created pieces intended to embody the wearer’s personal journey. For Clifford, jewellery represented much more than decoration; it served as a vessel for memory, hope, and identity.
Her reputation grew steadily as word spread about her approach, which combined technical mastery with genuine empathy. Clifford treated each client’s commission as a unique collaboration, aiming to capture not just their tastes but their stories. In an industry often defined by exclusivity, she staked her reputation on authenticity and connection.
Inside Jenna Clifford’s workshops, visitors encountered an atmosphere thick with trust and creativity. She didn’t see herself simply as a designer or business owner, but as a storyteller and confidante. Clifford’s process typically began with deep conversations, ensuring that every creation reflected both her artistic vision and the client’s personal narrative. Whether fashioning engagement rings from inherited gold or reimagining heirloom pieces, she worked her magic through listening as much as designing.
Her aesthetic sense deftly blended elegance and innovation. Drawing inspiration from the fluidity of Art Nouveau and the symbolism of Renaissance goldsmiths, Clifford’s pieces often intertwined classical motifs with modern forms. She favored gemstones that told their own tales – sapphires and diamonds, but also colored stones sourced from South Africa’s rich mineral landscape. With every creation, she sought to imbue the object with lasting emotional significance.
Clifford’s approach made her studio more than a place of commerce; it functioned as a sanctuary for those navigating life’s milestones. Clients, many of whom returned year after year, spoke of the comfort and belonging they felt under her guidance. Clifford relished the privilege of marking life’s most meaningful moments – marriages, anniversaries, the birth of a child – through her art. Each piece left her studio carrying both beauty and memory.
Jenna Clifford’s talents extended far beyond the jeweller’s bench. She took seriously her responsibility to empower others, especially young women eager to enter the competitive world of fine jewellery. Clifford taught workshops, opened her atelier doors to emerging designers, and volunteered as a judge in design competitions. She modeled not only technical excellence but also resilience and self-belief, urging protégés to pursue their visions with courage.
This commitment to lifting others up formed the core of Clifford’s broader philanthropic work. Early in her career, she began supporting women’s shelters, health initiatives, and educational programs. Clifford gave her time, resources, and wisdom to causes she believed could create lasting change. Many South African entrepreneurs today credit her with inspiring their own journeys and instilling in them the confidence to push boundaries. Through her involvement, she helped foster a new generation of creators, leaders, and innovators.
Her impact did not go unnoticed by the world at large. Clifford’s efforts to champion ethical sourcing and sustainable practices set her apart in the industry and helped elevate South African jewellery design to the global stage. International exhibitions featured her creations, and dignitaries visiting the country often left with a Clifford original. Her success served as proof that artistic and ethical integrity could coexist – and thrive – within the world of luxury goods.
Throughout every stage of her career, Clifford placed family at the heart of her work. She introduced her daughters to both the craft and the values underpinning her brand. Together, they nurtured a business that has become a living archive of Clifford’s artistic evolution – one that blends generational knowledge with fresh innovation. Clients often remarked on the genuine warmth and familial spirit that permeated her studio, describing it as a place where relationships stretched across decades and milestones.
As her health declined, Clifford’s family remained steadfast by her side, sharing updates and expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, clients, and the medical team at Morningside Medi Clinic. In their final message to the community, her daughters emphasized the importance their mother placed on kindness, gratitude, and perseverance. They pledged to honor her legacy by carrying forward these guiding principles in both their personal and professional lives.
The Jenna Clifford brand now enters a new era, guided by the hands and hearts of her daughters. They inherit not just a successful business but a cherished responsibility – to uphold the standards, values, and vision that defined their mother’s life. The studio continues to offer more than jewellery; it provides a sense of celebration, solace, and belonging to everyone who walks through its doors.
Jenna Clifford’s impact endures in every life she touched, every piece she designed, and every dream she nurtured. Her spirit, woven into the very fabric of South African art and culture, promises to shine for generations to come.
Jenna Clifford was a pioneering South African jeweller renowned for transforming jewellery into meaningful stories full of heart. She was significant not only for her artistic mastery but also for her commitment to ethical sourcing and mentorship. Jenna broke barriers in a traditionally male-dominated industry, empowering women and fostering creativity. Her work and spirit left a lasting legacy that continues to inspire South African jewellery design and culture.
Jenna Clifford’s jewellery was unique because each piece was crafted as a personal narrative rather than just a decorative object. Inspired by movements like Arts and Crafts and styles such as Art Nouveau and Renaissance goldsmithing, she blended classical motifs with modern innovation. She used ethically sourced gemstones, including sapphires, diamonds, and South African colored stones, to create meaningful designs that embodied memory, identity, and hope. Her studio was known as a sanctuary where clients felt truly seen and valued.
Jenna Clifford was deeply committed to mentoring young women entering the jewellery industry. She ran workshops, opened her studio to emerging designers, and served as a judge in design competitions. Beyond teaching technical skills, she encouraged resilience, self-belief, and courage in pursuing personal visions. Her philanthropic efforts also supported women’s shelters, health, and education programs, helping create lasting social impact and inspiring a new generation of South African creatives and entrepreneurs.
Jenna Clifford’s family, especially her daughters Shayna, Chanelle, and Summer, continue to carry her legacy forward by blending generational knowledge with fresh innovation. The studio remains a warm, welcoming space that celebrates life’s milestones with the same kindness and creativity Jenna fostered. Her daughters have pledged to uphold her values of kindness, gratitude, and perseverance, ensuring that the Jenna Clifford brand remains a beacon of artistic integrity and community connection.
Jenna Clifford was a strong advocate for ethical sourcing and sustainability long before it became a widespread focus in luxury goods. She prioritized using responsibly mined materials and supported local South African gems, helping elevate the country’s jewellery industry on the global stage. Her commitment demonstrated that artistic excellence and ethical integrity could thrive together, setting a standard for future designers and brands dedicated to social and environmental responsibility.
Jenna Clifford’s passing on May 20, 2025, was deeply felt across Johannesburg and the entire country. Tributes poured in from clients, colleagues, and admirers who remembered her warmth, generosity, and fearless spirit. Her death marked the end of an era but also reinforced the enduring influence of her artistry and advocacy. The community found comfort in the memories she created and the inspiration she instilled, confident that her spirit would continue to shine brightly for generations to come.
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