Olivina Lua began after the passing of my beloved dog Luna, who was an essential part of my life. I wanted to honor her and her memory. But before sharing this story, let me introduce myself. Hi, I’m Ana Maria Cortes R., but you can call me Ana. I’m from Bogotá, Colombia, but now I live in Florida, USA. Since I was little, I’ve always loved learning new things that I could create and sell. I learned to make cupcakes, took drawing and sewing classes, and much more. This love for art led me to study fashion design. I KNOW IS LONG BUT IT'S WORTH IT.. I PROMISE!!

I studied Fashion Design and Patternmaking for a year and a half at a university in Bogotá before we moved to the U.S. I’m not a huge fan of traditional schooling or university, so I chose a two-year technical program. This course solidified my love for fashion, creating, and designing, but I wasn’t able to finish it because my family and I had the opportunity to move to the U.S. We had to leave before I turned 21, so I had to leave my studies halfway and start living the American Dream.

We first arrived in Dallas, Texas, where we stayed for just a year because we struggled to adapt and were basically alone. My parents decided we would move to Florida. Before continuing with this story, there’s a very important detail to highlight—my dog Luna. Luna was our Dalmatian who joined our family as a puppy and stayed with us for 13 years. Of course, we moved heaven and earth to bring her with us from Colombia to the U.S. Why is she so important? I’ll explain in a bit.

Since moving to Florida, I’ve tried several ventures. I sold T-shirts with empowering quotes, made custom embroidered face masks during COVID (all handmade by me), and even tried sewing swimsuits for a client—but that didn’t go well. After many attempts and failures, I decided to start a new business, but this time something that truly connected with me and my love for art and fashion. That’s when I discovered the world of jewelry. After four months of research, I decided to invest my first $100 in jewelry. Not just any jewelry, though. The most important thing for my brand was offering durable pieces that wouldn’t tarnish, turn green, or blacken. I also focused on adjustable rings since I’ve always struggled to find rings and bracelets that fit me properly.

Once I figured out what I wanted for my new business, I began searching for the perfect name. That’s when I discovered a natural stone called Olivine, which has many healing properties, but most importantly, it empowers you and helps you find self-love. This name resonated deeply with me and my mission to empower women. But something was still missing—this is where my dog Luna comes in.

As I mentioned earlier, Luna was with us for 13 years. Her passing was one of the hardest things I’ve ever experienced because she meant everything to me. That’s why I wanted to honor her—her name, her memory, and her essence. I chose "Lua," which means “moon” in Portuguese. As I write this, my heart aches because even though it’s been over a year since she went to heaven, it feels like she left just yesterday. And although I’m writing this with tears in my eyes, I know she’s in a better place, always watching over me, because she’s always been an angel—on earth and in heaven.

I wanted to reflect that eternal, pure love in Olivina Lua with jewelry that lasts a long time and whose shine isn’t just about enhancing your outer beauty but also celebrating the inner beauty we all have. Sometimes, it’s hard to accept and show that beauty to the world. Yes, I say “we” because I’ve struggled a lot with accepting and loving myself. Through Olivina Lua, I want to create a community of women who support each other, lift each other up, and celebrate one another’s achievements. I want us to empower each other and feel beautiful from head to toe.

I’m Ana Cortes, founder of Olivina Lua, a jewelry brand that creates high-quality, adjustable jewelry so everyone can wear it with confidence, comfort, and without overspending. Thank you for being part of this special journey, and thank you for reading this far!

Now I want to know more about you and your story, so don’t hesitate to tag us on all social media platforms with @olivinalua or #olivinalua.

Love,
XOXO