Happy Jewelers, the family-owned Orange County jewelry company, recently created a custom gold necklace for award-winning country band Old Dominion’s latest album cover, bringing the titular Barbara to life. The collaboration highlights the jeweler’s growing footprint in the entertainment world and their reputation for turning creative concepts into tangible works of art.
Like many of Happy Jewelers’ projects, this one began with a simple inquiry. Old Dominion’s record label, Sony Music Nashville, had an album cover concept and wanted to see if the title, Barbara, could be transformed into jewelry. “They asked if it was even possible to create a piece as quickly as they needed it,” said co-owner Gabe Arik. “For us, the answer is always yes—we can bring just about any idea to life.”
The inspiration for the necklace came directly from Old Dominion’s album artwork. Happy Jewelers’ design team worked on renderings to ensure the final piece matched the original vision. Back-and-forth communication with the band’s team helped refine details such as size, proportions, and wearability. “We wanted it large enough to stand out but not so dominant that it overshadowed their look,” explained Danny Arik.
The piece was fully crafted at Happy Jewelers’ Orange County facility, where the team melted and set the materials and finished the necklace by hand. For the Arik brothers, the process was as important as the outcome. “Everyone gets treated the same way here, whether you’re a global band or someone designing their first custom pendant,” said Gabe. “That’s what keeps the experience authentic.”
When the final necklace was revealed, it became more than just a piece of jewelry. It represented the merging of two creative worlds: Old Dominion’s artistry in music and Happy Jewelers’ expertise in design. The band’s reaction, captured in behind-the-scenes moments, underscored the significance of the collaboration. Later, Happy Jewelers received a framed, autographed copy of the album from Old Dominion, which now hangs proudly in their showroom.
The project is also a reflection of the company’s ethos. “We like to say we celebrate people’s happiest moments, hence the name Happy Jewelers,” said Danny. “Whether it’s an engagement ring, a bracelet, or an album cover necklace, our goal is to make something meaningful that lasts a lifetime.”
Working with Old Dominion joins a growing list of high-profile collaborations for the Arik brothers and their team. Past projects have included custom jewelry for Brett Young, where they transformed beaded bracelets made by his daughters into gold, and unique creations for athletes and entertainers across the country. Each, they say, is distinct but guided by the same principles of customer service, quality craftsmanship, and creativity.
For fans, the Old Dominion necklace is a reminder that jewelry can be more than an accessory and can be an extension of a story. As Gabe reflected, “It’s really cool to see a family-owned business like ours on a big stage, working with a band that’s so well known. At the end of the day, it’s about trust, creativity, and delivering something that’s built to last.”
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