The Story Behind the Jewelry

Portrait of a woman with blonde hair, wearing a black polka dot blouse, resting her chin on her hand and smiling at the camera, against a plain background.

Darla McLemore

FOUNDER and Designer

Darla McLemore, founder and lead jewelry designer of Emerald Street Designs, has always been passionate about empowering women through leadership, connection, and meaningful design.

Her journey to launching Emerald Street Designs followed a 25-year career in corporate America, where she held executive leadership roles focused on mentoring, coaching, and developing women professionals. Throughout those years, she observed that many women carried significant responsibilities—at work and at home—without receiving the recognition, encouragement, or support they deserved. In 2017, while managing a demanding corporate career, Darla began a side business selling jewelry for a third-party designer. She quickly discovered that handcrafted jewelry had a unique ability to bring women together, spark conversation, and create space for celebration and confidence.

In 2024, Darla stepped away from corporate leadership to fully pursue her passion, founding Emerald Street Designs and launching her own line of thoughtfully designed, high-quality jewelry. Guided by her commitment to women’s empowerment and timeless craftsmanship, Emerald Street Designs creates elegant, meaningful jewelry that helps women feel confident, seen, and strong in every season of life.