Meet Your Neighbor: Kira Aubrey of Le Equus Signet
Written by Shayda Windle | Photos courtesy of Le Equus Signet
Kira Aubrey — fine jeweler, collector, artist, and passionate horsewoman — has found a way to blend her love for natural beauty and the equestrian lifestyle into timeless pieces of wearable art. A Virginia native, Aubrey grew up riding horses in Middleburg and felt it was a “second home.” As an adult, her family decided to settle in Hunt Country, where she now works as a fine jeweler. Inspired by the move, she’s launched a jewelry line that embodies the area’s deeply rooted equestrian culture.
Growing up, Aubrey was inspired by her grandmother, Beth Marie Makepiece, a master jeweler based out of Redlands, California, whose intricate designs and skill at the workbench left a lasting impression. Watching her grandmother transform raw materials into stunning heirlooms instilled in Aubrey an appreciation for the value and meaning of jewelry. “Her pieces carried stories,” she recalls, “and that inspired my love for creating jewelry with beauty and significance — something that could be passed down for generations to come.”
Aubrey’s mother, a devoted equestrian, also played an important role in shaping her interests, fostering a deep appreciation and love for horses in her daughter. As Aubrey began to design jewelry, she noticed there wasn’t much available in the equestrian genre, and, as she started experimenting with materials, realized why. “I found that being able to mold and pour the delicate and intricate shape of a horse is incredibly challenging,” she says.
Aubrey collects estate and new jewelry, and everything in between. Drawing on a decade of practice in design, she launched her business in 2022, creating estate-inspired and bespoke pieces with a focus on equestrian themes under the name of Le Equus Signet, which appropriately translates to “signature of the horse.” She says her signet rings were the original pieces that inspired the name. The signet ring is one of the oldest forms of jewelry, worn by the Mesopotamians as far back as 3500 BCE. Signet rings are intended to represent family, political ties, and social status within a community. They were created to share a person’s story and immortalize their legacy.
All jewelry from Le Equus Signet is created in solid 18-karat gold, with only natural diamonds and gemstones. While lab-created stones are becoming more popular, Aubrey remains committed to using ethically-sourced natural stones. “There’s something incredibly powerful about working with materials that are billions of years old,” she says. “We are incorporating the earth’s history into something wearable.” Her commitment to ethical practices extends to her sourcing process. By following the Kimberley Process, Aubrey ensures that the stones she uses are conflict-free and responsibly mined. “Knowing the history and origins of my materials is essential,” she notes. “It’s part of the story behind each piece.”
“Her pieces carried stories, and that inspired my love for creating jewelry with beauty and significance — something that could be passed down for generations to come.” –Kira Aubrey
Uniquely crafted for each customer, Aubrey’s collections are inspired by equestrian life and Hunt Country. The Grand Prix collection reflects the precision and dedication of top-level performances, while the Show Ring collection celebrates the distinct disciplines equestrian athletes pursue. The Hunt Country collection draws from Middleburg’s local landscape, hunt community, and culture, and the Dream Horse collection evokes the folklore and imagery that spark a love for horses.
Working from her home studio in Middleburg, Aubrey handles the entire design process herself. She creates molds for her pieces and collaborates with a partner who pours the gold. The result is jewelry that’s as personal as it is striking.
“There’s something incredibly powerful about working with materials that are billions of years old.” –Kira Aubrey
“Jewelry is more than just an accessory,” Aubrey says. “It’s a way to carry your passions and memories with you, a lifelong piece that tells your story.” With her unique perspective, deep roots in the equestrian world, and dedication to craftsmanship, Kira Aubrey is not just creating jewelry; she’s crafting handmade heirlooms that connect people to the hobbies, sports, and horses they love most. ML
For more information on Le Equus Signet, visit leequussignet.com.
Published in the February 2025 issue of Middleburg Life.