Under the leadership of writer and cultural influencer Elsa Heporauta, a group of socially active women wanted to bring the beauty of our foremothers' jewelry within reach of modern women, promote Finnish culture, and do good along the way. Their goal was to raise funds for a monument to honour Finnish women.

Germund Paaer, a drawing teacher at the Ateneum Art Museum in Helsinki, designed the first Kalevala Jewelry pieces and served as the company's chief designer until 1950.

The first Kalevala Jewelry pieces were unveiled at a gathering hosted by First Lady Kaisa Kallio. The collection was an instant success, marking the beginning of Kalevala Jewelry. The video features archival footage from Kalevala Jewelry.

Elsa Heporauta worked closely with Aino-Mari Mecklin, who became Kalevala Jewelry’s first CEO at a time when business was largely dominated by men. Founded, owned and led by women, Kalevala continues this legacy today under CEO Kirsi Paakkari.

Kalevala Koru was showcased at the New York World’s Fair. Elsa Heporauta met Eleanor Roosevelt at the White House, who wrote about their meeting and Kalevala Koru in her My Day column. The article was published in more than 100 newspapers across the United States.

With the outbreak of war, the funds raised for the planned monument were donated to those in need. To this day, Kalevala Koru continues to use part of its profits to do good, support culture, and promote the well-being of its employees.

During the war, work continued despite the exceptional circumstances. Jewellery was even made on the factory roof during air raid watch duty.

During the war, metal was scarce but wood was readily available. Kalevala Jewelry commissioned wooden household and decorative objects, some of which were also carved at the front.

Kalevala Jewelry had opened its own store at Keskuskatu 7 in central Helsinki.

The Kalevala Women's Association opened Kestikartano, a Kalevala-inspired restaurant in the heart of Helsinki, designed by architect Aarne Ervi. Showcasing Finnish art and design, it became a celebration of Finnish creativity. At its opening, Emil Halonen's bronze sculpture Louhi, Mistress of the North, was unveiled, bringing the monument project launched nearly a decade earlier to its completion.

Reflecting the spirit of the times, Kalevala Jewelry organized a design competition to shape its future collections. Heli Vuori won the competition, and her winning design was produced as a jewellery collection. Among the other prize winners were Kaj Franck, Kirsti Ilvessalo, Vappu Niittylä, Nanny Still and Bror Hulén.

Eero Rislakki modernised Kalevala Jewelry's design language through clean, simplified forms. He was also a pioneer in the use of Finnish gemstones.

Kalevala Jewelry opened its first own retail outlet in New York, Finnish Art Shop Inc.

By the 1950s, Kalevala Jewelry was creating not only jewellery but also other Finnish-inspired products. During the Helsinki Olympic Games, they were sold as souvenirs and gifts to visitors from around the world.

Lapponia was founded by Pekka Anttila and brought Finnish jewellery design to an international audience. Björn Weckström's bold, sculptural designs quickly became the brand's hallmark.

The unique silver installation "Hopeahimmeli", designed by Börje Rajalin and crafted by Kalevala Jewelry, won the Gold Medal at the Milan Triennale in 1960. The award brought international recognition to Finnish design and to Kalevala Jewelry.

Paula Häiväoja became Kalevala Jewelry's first female Head Designer. Her bold, futuristic silver jewellery introduced a striking new direction to the company's design language.

Björn Weckström's Flowering Wall necklace won the international jewellery design competition celebrating the 400th anniversary of Rio de Janeiro in 1965. The award marked the beginning of Lapponia's international success.

Following the loss of Kestikartano, Kalevala Koru opened a new store at Keskuskatu 4 in Helsinki.

Björn Weckström's silver brooch "People Need People" was selected as the official brooch for Finnair's first Finn Hostess uniform. The brooch became part of an iconic uniform that showcased Finnish design around the world.

In the 1970s, Kalevala Jewelry expanded its range beyond jewellery to include knitwear and ceramic objects.

Yoko Ono wore the Petrified Lake ring on The Dick Cavett Show. John Lennon had bought it from a jewellery store in Gothenburg.

The SALT Heart, designed by Germund Paaer in the 1940s, was presented as a symbol of peace to the spouses of heads of state attending the SALT talks in Helsinki. The name refers to the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks.

Princess Leia wore Björn Weckström's Planetary Valleys necklace and Darina's Bracelet from the Space Silver collection in the first Star Wars film.

Alongside its jewellery, Kalevala also produced a variety of leather goods. Crafted with the same focus on quality, functionality and timeless design, these pieces expanded Kalevala’s craftsmanship beyond jewellery.

Kalevala Jewelry acquired Kaunis Koru, founded in 1956, further strengthening its role in Finnish jewellery design.

A new flagship store opened on Unioninkatu in Helsinki and remained there for nearly three decades.

The Kalevala Jewelry Cultural Foundation is an independent foundation, established in 1994, that promotes Finnish culture through grants.

Kirsti Doukas joined Kalevala Jewelry as Head Designer. Her iconic designs include Vanamo and Naisen ääni, created to honour women’s right to vote and still celebrated as a symbol of equality and courage.

Introduced for Kalevala Jewelry's 60th anniversary, the Sun Lion became one of the brand's most iconic and best-selling designs, with collectors lining up for the first numbered Lapland gold editions.

Kaisaleena Mäkelän suunnittelema Kalevankarhu ammensi inspiraationsa rautakautisista eläinkoruista. Voimaa symboloivasta karhusta tuli yksi Kalevalan tunnistettavista koruaiheista.

Two iconic Finnish jewelry companies joined forces when Kalevala Koru acquired Lapponia Jewelry. Archival footage: Björn Weckström’s jewelry fashion show, 1969.

Since the 1990s, Kalevala Koru’s collections have included jewelry created to support charitable causes. We have participated in the Cancer Foundation’s Pink Ribbon campaign since 2015, raising €388,000 for cancer research together with our customers through Pink Ribbon jewelry.

Kalevala Koru celebrated its 80th anniversary by launching the Lätäkkötyttö and Sylkevä tyttö jewelry, created by visual artist Kim Simonsson in collaboration with designer Kirsti Doukas. Based on Simonsson’s ceramic sculptures, the pieces celebrate the courage to be yourself and challenge the norms and expectations placed on girls.

Celebrating Kalevala’s 80th anniversary, the Untamed Beauty brand film challenged stereotypes and brought a fresh, more diverse portrayal of women.

Female Lion, designed by Tiina Lahtinen, reimagined Finland’s iconic lion symbol by removing its swords, transforming it into a symbol of equality and inclusion. Finnish singer ALMA became the face of the collection.

With the brand renewal, Lapponia became Kalevala. That same year, Björn Weckström designed the Kultarailo collection for the renewed Kalevala brand. Today, Weckström’s unique design legacy lives on through the Kalevala collection.

Kalevala Training Center was established in the village of Makonge, Kenya. To date, more than 700 young women have received vocational training there. Funded by Kalevala Koru, the center provides vocational training for some of the most disadvantaged young women and girls, strengthening their rights and opportunities to build their own futures.

Sanna Marin appeared in Trendi magazine wearing a Kalevala necklace designed by Paula Häiväoja. Her bold styling sparked debate over what was considered appropriate for a prime minister. In response, people around the world recreated the look in support of Marin, giving rise to the #imwithsanna phenomenon.

Kalevala Preloved brought circularity into the heart of our services and became an immediate success. Available exclusively in Finland, the service gives old jewellery a new life and brings beloved, long-forgotten designs to new wearers – because jewellery is made to be worn and cherished.

Kalevala’s first pop-up in Tokyo marked the beginning of its journey in Japan. Since then, pop-ups have been held across the country, and in September 2026, Kalevala will open its first shop-in-shop store in Tokyo.

Kalevala Jewelry collaborated with Rusetti ry from 2022 to 2025 to strengthen visibility, community and opportunities for girls and women with disabilities to find role models.

With funding from Kalevala Jewelry, vammaisettytöt.fi was founded as Finland’s first website by disabled girls for disabled girls. 

Kalevala Koru became the first Finnish jewellery brand to participate in Copenhagen Fashion Week, collaborating with fashion designer Rolf Ekroth. Circularity is an important part of Ekroth’s design philosophy, which led him to draw inspiration from pre-owned jewellery available through Kalevala Pidetty Preloved for his Missing collection.

Designed by Ildar Wafin, Männyt was the first collection created under the creative direction of Aino Ahlnäs. The sculptural collection marked a new chapter in Kalevala’s design.

RAKAS — Rolf Ekroth x Kalevala was presented at Copenhagen Fashion Week in autumn 2024. The collaboration combined recycled materials, versatility and gender-neutral fashion.

Kalevala returned to Copenhagen Fashion Week for the third consecutive year, this time unveiling Itu, a new collection designed by Martin Bergström. Inspired by the power of Nordic nature, Itu celebrates growth and new beginnings.

Over nine decades, Kalevala’s logo has evolved with the brand. In 2026, a new 90th anniversary logo marks the latest chapter in its story.