Creativity doesn’t fall far from the tree when it comes to the duo behind new-to-BE line Ophelia Eve, which launched at the end of last year. Veteran jeweler Beth Yorn and her niece Sammi Yorn blend their industry expertise and respective generational points of view to bring together a stunning line rooted in historic Victorian glamour. Together with BE Founder Laura, they have created an exclusive capsule collection designed for true jewelry enthusiasts. Read more about how the line and the collaboration came to be in our latest Small Talk column.
Can you tell us a little about how Ophelia Eve came to be?
Sammi: Ophelia Eve began with my grandmother, Sydel. She was an anthropologist whose career was dedicated to advocating for archival research, ethnographic exploration, and preserving cultural narratives -truly a force. Her home was like a living museum, filled with eclectic objects and artifacts that echoed the stories of the places she’d been. Her jewelry was especially unforgettable—sculptural, unusual, and full of meaning. Years later, I found one of her old lariat necklaces tucked in my mom’s drawer, and it instantly sparked something. That moment became the seed of the very first design we sketched.
Beth and I were already dreaming up what a brand could look like, blending our love of art and history (particularly of the 19th century) and storytelling through jewelry. Beth had started carving these mystical-looking eye-shaped pendants in her studio, and we realized our visions could harmonize in a way that felt special and intentional. Beth’s love for collecting is unparalleled—she has an incredible eye for treasures from the natural world. She has an innate ability to connect with the earth, hunting for fossils, gems, and agates all over California. For me, jewelry has always been about holding a piece of the past in your hands and making it feel wearable today. After working in jewelry editorial and being surrounded by incredible designs every day, my style had evolved from flea-market finds to a deeper appreciation for fine jewelry that prioritizes functionality and the interplay of modern and antique elements. Design inspirations for Ophelia Eve have come from finding an image from a Victorian-era album of family photos from the V&A archive, finding a silhouette we love, and knife-edging it to make it feel contemporary for a modern muse. Our pieces are intentionally crafted with rich, vibrant tones that catch the eye, deep jewel colored stones that feel joyful or mysterious to draw a wearer in. The more we researched and sourced, the more we realized that our designs needed to capture the beauty of bygone eras—worlds that still echo in the stones and aesthetics we love, yet also live in the now. It’s our love letter to everything that came before and everything we still dream of making!
What are three words that best describe Ophelia Eve? (You each can give your three!)
Beth: Sentimental, Elegant, and Timeless
Sammi: Whimsical, Personal, and Romantic
What do you both find so special about working across two generations?
It’s honestly the most rewarding part of what we do. We're family, and that closeness gives us a level of trust that makes collaboration feel effortless. We bring different experiences and perspectives to the table, and we’re constantly learning from each other. There’s a beautiful balance that happens between new ideas and seasoned craftsmanship. We can be totally honest, bounce ideas back and forth without judgment, and laugh when something isn’t working. That openness creates such a rich creative space. It really is the perfect collaboration. Our journey with Ophelia Eve has been one of connection—connection to history, to styles we love, and to each other. It’s a process that feels deeply rooted in the past, yet always with an eye to the future.
Can you give us a sneak peek into the collaboration with Broken English? What are some of your favorite pieces from the collection?
Yes! This one feels extra special. Growing up in Brentwood, I used to walk by Broken English and press my face to the glass, mentally making a wishlist of everything I loved inside. So to now be designing with Laura is kind of surreal—a total dream-come-true moment. We’re building off the core of Ophelia Eve to make this collection even more functional for the everyday wearer. I’m completely obsessed with the drop huggies—they’re delicate but with a twist, and just so easy to add to your ear stack. And we’re diving into bracelets, which is a new category for us, and they’re turning out beautifully. We can’t wait to share it!
