Jenna Clifford: A Life of Beauty, Purpose and Love
11 September 1959 - 20 May 2025
Jenna Clifford was more than a jeweller. She was a force of life — vibrant, visionary, and endlessly generous. An artist of the soul, a mother of three, a champion of women, an activist and a mentor to many, she dedicated her life not only to the craft of jewellery but to the deeper calling of helping people believe in themselves. Whether you met her once or knew her for decades, Jenna made you feel seen — truly seen — and left you with the unshakeable feeling that your dreams were not only valid, but possible.
Listen to our Jenna playlist on Spotify featuring some of her favourite tracks
Early Life & Beginnings
Born on 11 September 1959 in Johannesburg, Jenna—born Jayne Dawn Riphagen—was an only child whose journey was shaped by both struggle and spirit. Her childhood was marked by difficulty; her father, a stern disciplinarian who believed in relentless hard work, encouraged her to take up swimming as a way to build confidence and resilience. That was the beginning of a punishing schedule that saw her training four hours a day, every day, until she turned 16. Jenna swam provincially for KwaZulu-Natal and was selected to represent South Africa, unfortunately, she was unable to participate after falling ill with glandular fever. Swimming taught her discipline, grit, and teamwork — qualities that would later underpin her leadership and entrepreneurial drive. Art, especially painting and drawing, became her sanctuary. With the support of her beloved grandfather, who recognised her creative spark, she discovered the deep joy of making beauty with her hands.
While in Grade 9, Jenna started teaching schoolchildren to swim in a nearby municipal pool: "My father was quite supportive of my willingness to run my own little business. I was driven more by the need to earn money so that I could eventually make my own way in life than by any entrepreneurial spirit.”
Journey into Jewellery
Jenna’s journey into the world of jewellery began not with ambition, but out of sheer necessity. At just 19, newly married and facing the weight of her husband’s failed business and mounting debt, she stepped into a job at H. Urdang Jewellery Manufacturers. There, on the factory floor, she began what would become a lifelong love affair with design. Humble and hungry to learn, she did everything from answering phones to weighing gold filings. She absorbed every detail of the craft and, over time, earned the trust and respect of her mentors. Jenna believed in learning the foundations of your chosen craft — she always said that true mastery comes from understanding the smallest parts of the process.
In 1985, at the age of 26, Jenna split her share in the factory and launched a small retail business from an office in Flora Centre in Florida, on Johannesburg’s West Rand, called Gold Swing. The shop sold jewellery made in the factory — nine-carat gold rings, slave bangles and other affordable, commercial pieces that appealed to everyday women. “This is what sparked my interest in design. We often brought out new styles and designs, and my curiosity was piqued. I believe I was fortunate that I did not have a formal qualification in jewellery design because that can box your thinking — whereas not having one gave me the freedom to explore and create without limits.”
Though the pieces were accessible and commercial, Jenna’s passion for deeper meaning was already beginning to emerge. She noticed a gap in the market — a longing among clients for jewellery that was more personal and symbolic. She realised that jewellery could be more than just beautiful; it could tell a story, hold a memory, and mark a transformation. This insight would go on to become the heart of her design philosophy.
Jenna’s personal journey was not without its challenges. After navigating a divorce from her first husband, she remarried Peter Clifford in the late 1980s and had her first daughter, Shayna, born on the 12 of August 1987.
Jenna fiercely believed in the importance of women being financially independent and having something of their own. This conviction was born out of a painful personal experience—her divorce from Peter—when she came face to face with the harsh reality of what it means to give everything up for a relationship, only to be left with nothing. It was a wake-up call, a breaking of the “Cinderella complex” that so many women are conditioned to accept. That fear, raw and real, became the fuel behind her business idea: Jenna Clifford. Refusing to fade into the background, she told Peter with unshakable resolve that if she was going to take his name, she’d put it in lights. And she did.
Jenna met Dex Kotzé in 1991. The two were young, in love, and fuelled by ambition—a shared drive that sparked their early pursuit of excellence and entrepreneurship. Together, they began laying the foundations of what would soon become a powerful brand.
Jenna Clifford Designs
In 1992, with little capital but unwavering belief, Jenna founded Jenna Clifford Designs from her home—taking out a second bond on her house and working tirelessly alongside her then business and life partner, Dex Kotzé. Together, they built a brand that would become synonymous with luxury, craftsmanship, and meaning. The Jenna Clifford design studio was established at 19 West Road South in Morningside—a space that remains the heart and head office of the brand to this day.
In 1994, Jenna and Dex had an intimate wedding ceremony, and that same year, their daughter Chanelle was born on 25 March.
As the brand continued to grow, Jenna and Dex lived in the Morningside studio with their two young daughters, fully immersed in the business. Jenna’s days were filled with back-to-back design appointments—everyone wanted a taste of her rare gift for people and diamonds. The studio pulsed with energy, and her reputation as a visionary designer quickly spread.
From the start, Jenna was clear on her vision: jewellery should not be mass-produced. It should be personal. Intimate. Crafted with care. Every piece she designed told a story — often of love, loss, hope, or transformation — and her clients quickly became loyal friends and supporters. Her design studio in Morningside was more than a workspace; it was a sanctuary. She welcomed each person with warmth, humour, and intuition, offering a cup of coffee or a glass of wine, dogs at her feet. She’d listen closely, then sketch something magical — a design that captured more than beauty; something personal.
With the birth of their youngest daughter, Summer, on 9 February 2001, Jenna and Dex made the decision to move their family to White River in Mpumalanga. Wanting a quieter life to raise their three daughters, they embraced the distance—commuting to Johannesburg for work while continuing to grow the business.
In 2008, Jenna launched Dream Big in partnership with Olympic gold medallist Ryk Neethling. The campaign aimed to inspire South Africans to pursue their potential and live with purpose — no matter their background or circumstance. Jenna often said, “A dream is the blueprint of a vision. Without individuals or society collectives having dreams, the vision won’t be realised … It’s up to all of us to set a new way forward, especially in this enlightened age. Nothing ever comes without hard work, determination, perseverance and love. You have to have those things in your heart.”
Awards & Impact
As the business grew, so did her reach. Jenna designed bespoke pieces for world leaders, celebrities, royalty, and everyday romantics alike. Her client list included Celine Dion, Debra Messing, former heads of state, and the Williams sisters, for whom she created symbolic butterfly pendants. Along the way, her work and impact were recognised both locally and internationally. Among her most notable accolades were the Rentmeester/Rapport Award for South Africa’s Most Inspirational and Beautiful Woman (1997), the CEO Top Woman in Business Award (2007), and her appointment as a torchbearer for the United Nations Millennium Development Goals alongside Archbishop Desmond Tutu—honouring her advocacy for gender equality and empowerment.
Philosophy
For all her accolades, Jenna remained down-to-earth. At heart, she was a nurturer. She loved being in nature, walking in her gown and slippers on her farm in Mpumalanga, where she found peace among her donkeys, horses, birds, flowers, and open skies. She relished slow mornings, cooking for her family and friends, pottering in her garden, and connecting deeply with those around her. She was the kind of person who lit up every room. A gifted storyteller and powerful public speaker, she used her voice to uplift others, always saying: “Your dreams are real — and you are more powerful than you think.”
Jenna’s passion for women’s rights and activism was unrelenting. She believed deeply in equality and sustainability, and her business reflected that — employing and mentoring predominantly women, advocating for transformation, and using her platform to challenge patriarchal norms. Her leadership was personal. She made time for people. She asked questions. She remembered your name, your story, your dream. She gave endlessly — of her energy, her wisdom, her love — and never asked for anything in return.
Over the years, countless people — from celebrities to employees to strangers-turned-clients — have said the same thing: “If it weren’t for Jenna, I wouldn’t be where I am today.” She was a cheerleader, a safe space, a mirror that reflected back not your flaws, but your strength. She believed in people before they believed in themselves.
Jenna’s life and career were deeply enriched by the meaningful relationships she cultivated along the way. Her world was filled with friends who became family – “adopted daughters and sons,” or “brothers and soul sisters.” Among them was Annette, affectionately referred to by Jenna as her “wife.” The two met in the 1980s and remained inseparable ever since, even sharing a unique personal history — following Jenna’s separation from her first husband, Ian Palframan, Annette and Ian were married before eventually parting ways. Their bond endured through the decades, marked by trust, humour, and unwavering loyalty. Annette joined the Jenna Clifford brand in 1997, learning the art of design under Jenna’s guidance. Their friendship was nurtured by a mutual love of nature, gardening, and animals, and deepened through their shared belief in the power of jewellery to connect people on a profoundly personal level. Today, Annette honours that legacy as one of our senior design consultants, bringing Jenna’s spirit of passion, artistry, and timeless design into every piece.
Milestones & Recent History
The Jenna Clifford brand has grown steadily over the past 33 years, becoming a symbol of bold, timeless design and soulful craftsmanship. In 2024, a special milestone was celebrated: Jenna’s 65th birthday and the 65th anniversary of Barbie. This inspired a powerful collaboration between the two iconic brands — uniting the pioneering spirit of a woman who reshaped her industry with a cultural symbol beloved for generations. What made the partnership even more meaningful was that Jenna’s two youngest daughters, Chanelle and Summer, led the design and creative direction — a beautiful passing of the torch from mother to daughters, and a testament to the enduring legacy of the brand.
Our Family Legacy
Today, Jenna Clifford’s legacy lives on — not only in her many bespoke creations but in the lives she touched, the people she mentored, and the business she built with integrity, soul, and unwavering vision. Her three daughters carry that legacy forward, committed to honouring her spirit and preserving her values. The heart of the Jenna Clifford brand remains unchanged: to create timeless, soulful designs that celebrate life’s most meaningful moments — with love, beauty, and purpose.
Jenna’s light is everywhere — in the sparkle of a diamond, the clasp of a bracelet, the joy of someone who feels seen. Her voice lives on in the hands and hearts of her daughters, in every client, and in every dreamer who dares to believe: “Yes, I can.”
Jenna with her daughters, their partners, and her grandchildren on the farm — December 2024.
"Mom’s magnificent jewellery is a reflection of her beautiful heart and soul - her passion, creativity and her mission to connect people through beautiful, meaningful creations. Our family business, Jenna Clifford, is her life’s work and is at the heart of our family. We are dedicated to building on mom’s solid foundations and to continue the remarkable Jenna Clifford story."
Shayna, Chanelle and Summer — May 2025.