We are thrilled to welcome Le Equus Signet and owner Kira Aubrey to the pages of Volume 12. Kira has designed heirloom fine jewelry for the equestrian-obsessed, creating incredible pieces that are timeless and ultra-sophisticated. Get to know Kira and her love for all things jewelry, horses and more!

TSG: How did you get started in your business?

KIRA: My grandmother was a master jeweler and my mother was an equestrian and both of their passions were passed on to me. As an avid jewelry collector, I am drawn to pieces that I feel reflect my life story. There are lots of beautiful pieces on the market that include equestrian symbols (bits, stirrups, etc.) but it’s hard to find pieces that include the actual horses. I wanted to create those pieces because for so many of us, horses are an enormous part of our story.

TSG: What do you love most about working in Hunt Country?

KIRA: The rolling hills, horses and equestrian lifestyle are my continuous muse and I am surrounded by the most incredible small businesses and business owners doing so many inspiring and impressive things. As an entrepreneur, I feel very fortunate to have this network of people to learn from and look up to.

TSG: What is your favorite aspect of your work?

KIRA: When a customer purchases a piece, that piece becomes part of their collection and their journey. Most of my customers will eventually pass their collections on to future generations just as my grandmother and my mother did to me and as I will one day to my children. The timelessness of jewelry is incredibly special. When someone asks me about a piece I’m wearing that was once my grandmother’s I get to tell her story and in those moments I can bring her back to life.

TSG: What are some of your favorite local spots in Hunt Country?

KIRA: There is a curve in the road, just past the old post office in Rectortown if you’re driving towards Upperville and when you come across it as the sun is setting, it’s magnificent. No picture I’ve ever taken or words I’ve could ever use to describe it come close to conveying just how stunning it is. That view always reminds me of how unbelievably lucky I am to call this place home. I come across it most days as I drive from my barn to pick up my kids at their daycare and it’s such a gift. I stop and soak it in every time. It’s poetry. There is so much beauty here we need to protect. Of course I’d be remiss if I didn’t also admit my profound love for Knead Wine, The Goodstone’s bistro nights, live music Thursdays at the Unison General Store and the Upperville Colt & Horse show grounds!

TSG: What are some recent or new projects for Le Equus Signet?

KIRA: The Dream Horse collection is my newest set of designs and I am so deeply proud of it. I wanted to call back the imagery, stories and experiences we have as children that often first inspire our love for horses. This collection includes unicorns, carousel horses and sport horses. Secretariat was my childhood hero so including the racehorse in this collection was a natural fit.

TSG: Is there any insider advice you would give to your customers?

KIRA: Fine jewelry doesn’t need to be saved for a special occasion. Every day we have the incredible good fortune to breathe in fresh air is worth celebrating.

“Wear your diamonds to the barn while you’re mucking stalls, when cuddled up on on the couch with your dog and in the garden with your vegetables and your flowers. Jewels sparkle brightest when they live their lives alongside you!”

–Kira Aubrey

…and one more thing

KIRA: There is a deep magic that resides in natural gemstones. The stones we set in our jewelry are many hundreds of millions of years old. They were being formed when the earth was a wildly different place, before the continental drift. Many of them are older than most of the stars we can see in the sky. Like people, their beauty increases with age and history.

Be sure to tell her Scout sent you!
LE EQUUS SIGNET
@leequussignet