A modern, design-led approach to jewellery by BÓHDAN Diamonds.
Founded by Alla Bohdan, BÓHDAN is redefining modern proposal and forever jewellery. Rooted in clarity, craftsmanship and design integrity, each piece is created in New Zealand, where Alla has built both a studio and a life. Every diamond is ethically sourced, every curve intentional, every contour and prong is polished to perfection. This refined, meticulous sensibility led Together Journal founder and editor Greta Kenyon to choose BÓHDAN to create a bespoke milestone ring to mark the magazine’s ten-year anniversary.
TOP After a conversation, each design starts with thoughtful sketches. BOTTOM RIGHT Bespoke milestone Lira ring to mark 10 years of Together Journal. BOTTOM LEFT Veda ring.
TJ — Your background spans both marketing and design. How did this blend of strategy and creativity lead you into the world of jewellery and to founding BÓHDAN
AB — I’ve worked in marketing for more than 12 years across several industries, mostly in digital marketing. Over time, I realised how drawn I was to the tangible, to objects you can touch and connect with. The weight and texture of real things influence how I feel, my focus, and my mood. Eventually, I knew I wanted to create something meaningful and lasting.
BÓHDAN pieces feel very intentional. What kind of narrative do you begin each commission project with?
I want BÓHDAN jewellery to become true family heirlooms, pieces that won’t be melted down or redesigned to follow trends. I hope the stones will remain intact and be passed on exactly as they are, because future generations will want to preserve not just the piece, but the story and the person behind it. Often, that matters even more than the jewellery itself.
Every piece is crafted in New Zealand from start to finish. Can you walk us through your process?
Every partnership begins with a conversation. We talk about what the ring will represent, and I listen closely to understand their story and style. Some clients arrive with a clear vision, others with only a feeling, and I love guiding that discovery to create something that feels truly theirs.
From there, I sketch thoughtful designs, and together we refine every detail until it feels complete. I personally source each diamond and always show it to my clients before work begins. Once the stone is secured, the ring takes around two to three weeks to craft by hand. The most meaningful moment is the handover, seeing their reaction as they hold the finished piece for the first time.
TOP Alla and Greta. BOTTOM LEFT Runa bracelet. BOTTOM LEFT Lira, Veda and Leya rings.
Ethical sourcing is clearly central to your philosophy. How do you select your diamonds, and why is transparency so important to you?
Before starting BÓHDAN, I immersed myself in learning everything I could about diamonds. I was captivated by the potential of lab-grown stones, the same beauty and brilliance, created consciously by human hands.
I’ve spent time researching, asking questions, and sourcing from ethical laboratories before choosing two I trust completely. They share my values and belief that how something is made matters as much as how it looks.
Every diamond I source reflects that intention: beauty with conscience, brilliance with integrity, whether lab-grown or earth-formed.
Wedding and engagement jewellery is changing rapidly. How do you think forever pieces will evolve in the future, and what role does BÓHDAN play in shaping that shift?
When lab-grown diamonds entered the market and fine jewellery became more accessible, many people began thinking, “Now I can afford a three or four-carat stone.” But size alone does not define a forever piece. True heirloom jewellery must have strength and structure, with balanced proportions and enough metal to last for generations. A delicate ring with a thin 1.5mm shank may look beautiful, but without proper craftsmanship, it will never endure time.
TOP LEFT Neda, elongated cushion diamond ring. TOP RIGHT Alla Bóhdan.
What philosophies have influenced your visual language and aesthetic?
I’ve always been a minimalist, someone who believes in having fewer things but better ones. Quality over quantity has always guided me, which is likely why I was drawn to diamonds. I believe in owning a piece that feels like you, something you wear every day that becomes part of who you are. That is what good jewellery should be.
Your Ukrainian heritage is an integral part of your brand identity. How does your cultural background influence the meaning, materials or symbolism behind your work?
When I first started BÓHDAN, I thought my Ukrainian heritage would influence the brand through beauty, through the artistry, folklore and nature of my country.
But over time, I realised it gives something deeper: strength. Being Ukrainian means being resilient, unbreakable and proud. There’s a saying in our family, and when my daughter Olivia hurts herself or something goes wrong, she says, “But I’m strong like Ukraine.” It’s true. The past few years have shown us extraordinary perseverance and unity.
I’m incredibly fortunate to have people who believe in BÓHDAN and in me: my husband, my family, our skilled jewellers, and my business partner Tetiana, who is also my best friend. Tetiana manages the technical and financial side while I focus on creative direction and design.
We are both Ukrainian, and that shared heritage gives our partnership real strength. When challenges arise, our mindset is never “It’s too hard,” but “How do we make this work?” That determination has shaped BÓHDAN from the start.
Discover more by exploring bohdandiamonds.com and @bohdan.diamonds.
INTERVIEW Greta Kenyon IMAGES Sophie Bayly
