The Story of Kalevala Jewelry

1930s: The story of Kalevala Jewelry begins

Writer Elsa Heporauta had a dream: she wanted to establish a statue to honor the Finnish woman. Other influential women became inspired by the idea also, and to fund the project women decided to manufacture and sell copies of old viking era jewelry. They selected 40 models from the historical collections of the National Museum of Finland and the promotion started the best possible way: the first collection of jewelry was introduced in December 1937 at a party of the First Lady of Finland.

The new jewelry collection became highly popular, but other plans were affected by the start of the Winter War. The statue funds were decided to be used for helping people in need during the war, making charity a permanent value at the company. The women who planned the idea for the statue established Kalevala Women's Association, a cultural organization that still owns Kalevala Jewelry. Still during today, all jewelry is handmade in Finland and the designs combine both historical designs celebrating Finnish heritage, as well as modern design created by female and male designers.

Short history of Kalevala Jewelry

New Kalevala Jewelry flagship store was opened in Esplanadi, Helsinki, in the autumn of 2013 .

This silver necklace celebrated the 150th anniversary of Kalevala, Finland's national epic. The prototype for the necklace was found in Hämeenlinna.

Kalevala Jewelry's stand at the jewelry fair in Copenhagen in 1975.

Jewelry designs by Pentti Sarpaneva from the Kalevala Jewelry collection in 1960-70.

Ad image from the 60s showcasing designs by Bengt Eriksson.

Kalevala Jewelry bracelets in the 60s.

Miss Finland 1968 was crowned with a rented Kalevala Jewelry bridal crown. The money from the rented crown went to support the blinded victims of war.

In 1962 the presidential couple of Finland, Urho and Sylvi Kekkonen, received Kalevala Jewelry's silver spoon from Vähäkyrö.

At the architects' dance party in London in 1962. Princess Margaret accompanied by Lady Lorna Matthew wearing Kalevala Jewelry's Halikko necklace.

Kalevala Jewelry products were sold in special booths during the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.

Kalevala Jewelry's shop window in Helsinki became famous for its new and modern approach for displaying the jewelry. The picture was taken in 1955.

Photo credit Kalevala Jewelry