Happy Jewelers, the family-owned Orange County jewelry company, recently created a custom gold necklace for award-winning country band Old Dominionβs latest album cover, bringing the titular Barbara to life. The collaboration highlights the jewelerβs growing footprint in the entertainment world and their reputation for turning creative concepts into tangible works of art.
Like many of Happy Jewelersβ projects, this one began with a simple inquiry. Old Dominionβs record label, Sony Music Nashville, had an album cover concept and wanted to see if the title, Barbara, could be transformed into jewelry. βThey asked if it was even possible to create a piece as quickly as they needed it,β said co-owner Gabe Arik. βFor us, the answer is always yesβwe can bring just about any idea to life.β
The inspiration for the necklace came directly from Old Dominionβs album artwork. Happy Jewelersβ design team worked on renderings to ensure the final piece matched the original vision. Back-and-forth communication with the bandβs team helped refine details such as size, proportions, and wearability. βWe wanted it large enough to stand out but not so dominant that it overshadowed their look,β explained Danny Arik.
The piece was fully crafted at Happy Jewelersβ Orange County facility, where the team melted and set the materials and finished the necklace by hand. For the Arik brothers, the process was as important as the outcome. βEveryone gets treated the same way here, whether youβre a global band or someone designing their first custom pendant,β said Gabe. βThatβs what keeps the experience authentic.β
When the final necklace was revealed, it became more than just a piece of jewelry. It represented the merging of two creative worlds: Old Dominionβs artistry in music and Happy Jewelersβ expertise in design. The bandβs reaction, captured in behind-the-scenes moments, underscored the significance of the collaboration. Later, Happy Jewelers received a framed, autographed copy of the album from Old Dominion, which now hangs proudly in their showroom.
The project is also a reflection of the companyβs ethos. βWe like to say we celebrate peopleβs happiest moments, hence the name Happy Jewelers,β said Danny. βWhether itβs an engagement ring, a bracelet, or an album cover necklace, our goal is to make something meaningful that lasts a lifetime.β
Working with Old Dominion joins a growing list of high-profile collaborations for the Arik brothers and their team. Past projects have included custom jewelry for Brett Young, where they transformed beaded bracelets made by his daughters into gold, and unique creations for athletes and entertainers across the country. Each, they say, is distinct but guided by the same principles of customer service, quality craftsmanship, and creativity.
For fans, the Old Dominion necklace is a reminder that jewelry can be more than an accessory and can be an extension of a story. As Gabe reflected, βItβs really cool to see a family-owned business like ours on a big stage, working with a band thatβs so well known. At the end of the day, itβs about trust, creativity, and delivering something thatβs built to last.β
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