<Tr> <Th> Website </Th> <Td> alexandani.com </Td> </Tr> <P> Alex and Ani is an American retailer and producer of jewelry located in Cranston, Rhode Island . </P> <P> The firm was founded in 2004 by Carolyn Rafaelian . The name comes from a combination of the first names of Rafaelian's two daughters . The company originally stated that they wanted to produce "bangle bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings that adorn the body, enlighten the mind, and empower the spirit". The company first manufactured its jewelry in a factory that was founded by Rafaelian's father in 1966 and all materials are made in America . The first retail Alex and Ani store opened in Newport in 2009, and in addition to the stand - alone stores, the jewelry was sold through national departments stores . In 2010 Giovanni Feroce joined the company as CEO and drove the company's expansion, increasing the sales total for the year by more than 20 times its previous annual total . In 2015, Harlan Kent became the new president of the company . The company also expanded into Japan . In 2015 the firm launched its first mobile app, which was downloaded 80,000 times in its first three weeks . In addition to serving as a mobile sales platform, Digiday wrote that "Alex and Ani's lifestyle content, like motivational quotes and articles that explore the meanings behind different bracelet charms, takes center stage in the app ." The company's revenue grew from $5 million in 2010 to over $500 million in 2016 . The company's CHARITY BY DESIGN initiative, where 20% of sales go to charity, makes up 20% of sales . The company began opening its stores in top markets like California and New York; by the end of the year, they should number more than 80 . A big push is abroad; sales outside the U.S. account for only 10% of Alex and Ani's revenues . Rafaelian expects this to double by 2020, which means competing in foreign markets . </P> <P> The Independent newspaper stated that a "signature design feature" of the company's products was a "patented sliding mechanism that replaces the traditional clasp, making each bracelet entirely adjustable" making it "one - size - fits - all". Rafaelian patented the Alex and Ani 14 - guage wire bangle in 2004; one of about 30 patents the company now holds . The firm produces bangles, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, and rings . The company first came to national attention in 2004 when they produced a necklace featuring an apple for Gwyneth Paltrow following the birth of her daughter Apple, leading to many orders of similar merchandise . The company has described its products as "eco-friendly"; much of the material is either recycled or from vintage articles . In 2016, founder Carolyn Rafaelian purchased original copper from the Statue of Liberty and the company launched the Liberty Copper Collection . </P>

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