About
Kankisi is a design studio by Kankisi Apaak, West African-American jeweler, writer, teacher, community organizer, and amateur gemologist. Kankisi’s handmade, seasonal, one-of-one jewelry collections are made to last, slow curated with indiviudal knots between each bead. Every piece is a celebration in detail and intention, an ode to the journey in destination, and a reflection on the ancient life ritual of adorning oneself in gemstone jewelry.
Ethos
Gemstones are more than aesthetic decadance; they are innate physical reminders of our past, present, and future. For every collection, Kankisi publishes a corresponding Lapidaria: a hand researched and complied archive of historical and physical gemstone information. The Lapidaria is a guide for intentional reverance and wear of every piece; a slice of knowledge that illuminates the intrinsic signifcance of each gem, connecting historical, physical, and metaphysical properties: a place to map your personal mythology against one of humanity’s most ancient artforms. As a logo, the Kankisi sanfoka heart is evocative of Ghanaian adinkra symbolgogy: decorative cultural symbols used to signify parables and ways to harmonious life. The sanfoka symbol is often paired with a saying translated as “go back and get it !”. Every collection will call on one adinkra symbol as its’ principle guiding intention.