A Jewelry Brand Preserving 900 Million Years of Stories
Roughdiamonds.dk has built a global reputation by honoring the raw beauty of uncut diamonds. Danish designer Maya Bjørnsten is the only creator in the world who has made uncut diamonds her dedicated niche. Through her rare approach, she transforms stones shaped over 900 million years into meaningful, handcrafted jewelry defined by honesty and natural elegance.
Choosing Raw Beauty Over Perfection
While the world often celebrates polish and perfection, Maya chose a different vision. Her Hidden Boutique in Copenhagen sits away from the city’s noise and offers a peaceful space where each raw diamond reveals its story. Clients visit from across continents because these pieces feel authentic, personal and deeply rooted in nature.
Sourcing from Antwerp’s Diamond Heart
Maya handpicks every diamond in Antwerp, the global center of raw diamond trading, with a special permit. Since over 80 percent of the world’s rough diamonds pass through these bourses, she can access more than 12,000 natural diamond qualities. Yet, she focuses primarily on rare, high-grade stones usually reserved for fine jewelry.
Maya explains:
“We create every piece by the mantra ‘Love it like it is’. Only naturally beautiful stones are selected. They may appear rugged or brilliantly clear, but each one carries its own personality.”
She adds that every raw diamond has a distinctive imperfection, color or shape. Instead of polishing away that character, she preserves it so each piece remains as unique as the wearer.
From Earth’s Core to Maya’s Craftsmanship
These diamonds form deep within the earth under immense heat and pressure. Elements such as nitrogen or boron, along with subtle distortions in the crystal structure, create rare refractions and colors. Maya’s fascination began unexpectedly when her husband brought home hundreds of photos of raw diamonds from Antwerp.
She says, “I had a completely different professional background and never cared for jewelry until I saw raw diamonds. Almost twenty years later, Roughdiamonds.dk represents understated luxury and raw elegance. Every piece carries a story and a soul.”
Building a Niche No One Else Explored
When Maya realized no other brand specialized in uncut diamonds, she recognized her path. Today, Roughdiamonds.dk creates bespoke, made-to-order designs while also offering select pieces online and in their boutique. The atmosphere encourages curiosity, and many visitors experience love at first sight with a stone.
Inside the boutique workshop, goldsmiths and setters shape each piece with deep respect for the stone’s individuality. Working with raw diamonds demands precision and intuition. Each diamond guides its own design.
Maya says, “Working with imperfect diamonds requires patience, skill and passion. We let each stone reveal its character. No two diamonds are alike, and neither are our pieces.”
Jewelry That Carries Emotion and Meaning
About 75 percent of the brand’s clients come from abroad. Some choose their diamond immediately, while others take months or even years to find the one that feels right.
One customer from the United States wanted a five-carat raw diamond from Botswana, where he met his partner. Maya recalls that it took nearly eighteen months to find the right stone. The final piece became a symbol of their love story.
Another longtime customer, Rikke Struve, has worn uncut diamond pieces since the brand began. One green-diamond bracelet became deeply meaningful after her son Rasmus experienced a brain hemorrhage.
“The diamond carries the color of hope and gives me strength,” she says. “I wear it daily as a reminder that even in painful moments, hope remains. Today, Rasmus lives in a new and wonderful version of himself. My diamond pieces are valuable, but they are also emotional investments in memory.”
Responsibly Sourced Diamonds with Integrity
Roughdiamonds.dk works only with diamonds sourced responsibly and with care for people and the planet. All stones comply with the Kimberley Process, ensuring they come from conflict-free origins. The suppliers are certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council, which upholds leading ethical, environmental and social standards in the global jewelry industry.
