• To carry the whole world, or just a piece of it.
  • To honor your inner grit – the will and strength to keep going, no matter what.
  • To remind yourself of the greatness in the small things.

And because small things have big meaning.

Sand carries its own story, depending on where it was found. It’s much more than what you see on a beach, in a desert, or along a gravel road.

Sand shows up in science, culture, history, sports, philosophy, and more. It’s the second most used natural resource in the world.

Buildings, roads, electronics – they all rely on sand. It’s in paint, plastic, cosmetics, and even in the device you use to read this. Sand is both soft and hard, fluid and solid. It flows through hourglasses and creates artificial islands. It can solve crimes, reveal historical events, and remind us of the impermanent.

The AKIN collection holds sand from every single nation. The fact that grains are tiny and exist almost everywhere makes it possible to create pieces that hold the entire world. The sand holds stories from each origin and at the same time reminds us of how we are all connected and dependent on each other. 

The GRAINS collection captures the exact shape of individual grains of sand. Magnified they celebrate inner grit – the strength, will, and determination that shape you. How you keep moving forward, no matter the obstacles.

So, why wear sand? For OUAW, the sand lifts the jewelry to more than just accessories—they are statements. They reflect the strength, beauty, and uniqueness within ourselves and the world around us.

But this is about you. What’s your reason for wearing sand? I’d love to hear your thoughts!