Let’s Start Somewhere: The Story of Rebel

You might be wondering:
Where does it all begin? What inspired this brand?
Who designs the pieces — and who brings them to life?

If you’re new here, welcome.
My name is Helena — short for Marie Helena — and I’m the founder and creative director of Rebel Jewelry, a fine jewelry brand inspired by emotion, symbolism, and personal stories.

Why “Rebel”?

The name Rebel isn’t just about being bold.
It reflects my personality, my journey, and the spirit of the people I admire — people who move through life in their own way, with courage, individuality, and depth.

Rebel was born in Beirut, Lebanon in 2017, while I was still a law student. One day, I met someone working in the jewelry industry and, out of curiosity, asked: “Do you think I could launch a jewelry business online?”

At that time, e-commerce in Lebanon was rare — especially for fine jewelry. But to my surprise, he believed in the idea. He introduced me to our now long-time manufacturer and artisan team. Yes — we still work with the same people today.

That moment sparked everything.

At that time, my office was a table at my parent's restaurant with an amazing view. I hand delivered all my orders and got to meet a lot of customers in person. 

 

From Lebanon to the U.S.

By 2019, I made the biggest decision of my life: I moved to the U.S. alone.
With no clear plan, just goals and a desire to grow, I packed my life into a few bags and left everything familiar behind.

Everyone thought I was crazy. “How is this girl going to make it?”
Truth is — I didn’t know either. But I couldn’t ignore the voice inside me telling me to try.

During that time of transition, I put Rebel on hold.

All the pieces I designed for Rebel traveled and moved with me more than 4 times within two years. Life got heavy. I took remote jobs, and went into what I now call “survival mode" and self discovery. I knew I wanted to keep creating — I just didn’t know how yet.

The Unexpected Push: A Personal Rebirth

Then I met my now-husband.
He saw something in me that I had lost sight of — that creative spark, that belief that Rebel still had a future. 

We honestly all need this push at some point!! While I hesitated, he encouraged me. While I doubted, he reminded me: You’ve already done it once. You can do it again. Eventually, we relaunched Rebel Jewelry — this time with more soul, more clarity, and a deeper purpose.

In loving memory of my grandfather, who always supported my dreams, we began again.

 

What Rebel Stands For

Rebel is more than a brand. It’s a space for emotion. For resilience. For meaning.

Every piece we create is crafted in solid 18k gold, made to symbolize something true:
A phase in your life. A story of transformation. A memory you carry.

The Golden Phoenix was born from my hatred of feeling stuck — and my desire to rise again, stronger.
The Ellipsis was inspired by Arabic calligraphy and the thoughts we leave unsaid.
The Elephants, our very first piece, represent shared cultural symbols of strength, protection, and memory.

Our jewelry is about connection — to yourself, your people, and your journey.

 

So, What Can You Expect from This Blog?

Here, I’ll be sharing:

• The stories behind our designs
  

• Styling guides
  

• Educational content on 18k gold and craftsmanship
  

• Personal updates and behind-the-scenes moments
  

• Conversations around symbolism, emotions, and self-expression
  
  

Whether you're here to invest in a meaningful charm or simply discover the brand — thank you for being here. Your presence means everything.

Welcome to Rebel.
Jewelry with soul, built to last, and created to carry you through every chapter.

-Marie Helena