About Yū|Mono

Yū|Mono is a fine jewelry company based in Honolulu, Hawaii. Founded by Keiko Akamine in 2016, Yū|Mono creates jewelry that is simultaneously timeless and innovative, often drawing inspiration from Keiko’s love for psychology, minimalist design, and Japanese aesthetics. All pieces are designed and meticulously handcrafted in Honolulu, HI, supporting local craftsmen and utilizing ethically sourced materials.

Every piece is designed with intention and careful consideration for its versatility and ease of wear. We believe that jewelry should be a medium for self-expression, accentuating the wearer’s unique style and personality, without sacrificing comfort or quality. We use only the finest materials so you can love your Yū|Mono for years to come.

About the Designer

Keiko Akamine was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, attending ‘Iolani School before earning a BA in Psychology and East Asian Studies from Lehigh University and an MA in Sport Psychology from John F. Kennedy University.

Though she had always nurtured a creative spirit, sports were the main focus of Keiko’s youth. She finished high school as a nationally-ranked wrestler and black belt in judo before a neck injury sidelined her athletic ambitions.

Intending to make a career in the sports world, Keiko was midway through a graduate degree in Sport Psychology when she decided to take a metalsmithing class at a local art academy.

It was there that she reconnected with her creativity and discovered something she did not know she was looking for: a passion cultivated outside the gym, dojo, or classroom.

She began Yū|Mono as a fun way to make money while studying full time, but soon realized it could be something more. After graduating in 2017, she decided to give her fledgling brand a year and see what would happen. She hasn't looked back since.

When not in the studio working on new designs, Keiko can be found on the mats training with her Brazilian jiu-jitsu team, eating her way around the world, or at home, tucked away in the back of a misty, tropical valley, with her partner, furniture designer Danny Ovryn and their pitbull mix, Townes.

Beyond Yū|Mono

We are proud to partner with FinAbility, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic abuse with the skills and resources to become financially secure. Using their backgrounds in tech and finance, FinAbility builds digital tools that make financial education and resources accessible to survivors through a trauma-informed lens.

Through our Claws for a Cause initiative, we are proud to donate 2% of all Claw earring sales to an organization and cause we are passionate about.

See Keiko's interiew with FinAbility here.