Honoring a Legacy: How Arika’s Magnetics Collection™ is Changing the Jewelry Industry
For Arika Miller Pevenstein, founder and CEO of the patented Magnetics Collection™, jewelry has always been more than just an accessory — it’s a connection to memories, identity, and loved ones. When her mother, Nancy, was diagnosed with Early-Onset Alzheimer’s in her mid-50s, Arika witnessed firsthand how something as simple as putting on a bracelet or fastening a necklace could become a frustrating struggle. That moment of realization became the seed for a game-changing innovation: Magnetics Collection™.
A Mother’s Influence
Nancy was a woman of grace and resilience and that shines through in Arika as well. Adoringly called “Fancy Nancy”, she loved style and design. She would often lend her master sewing skills, volunteering behind the scenes working on costumes for Buffalo theatrical productions.
In the early 70s, she founded a charm school (finishing school) for young women that taught etiquette, poise, confidence, how to make a great first impression and navigate the many conundrums we all face. She drew inspiration from her daughters (often using them as her muses), art history, leading fashion magazines, specifically Vogue and her favorite designer, Christian Dior.
She had an eye for rising fashion trailblazers and loved the innovative designs of Norma Kamali, Adam Lippes- a fellow Buffalo native (ADAM collection) and MacKenzie-Childs, an original collector before becoming a staple in home decor design.
She went back to school in her 40s to get a degree in Fashion Technology. Because of that, she and Arika shared some incredible experiences — touring the New York City headquarters of Ralph Lauren and HUE, and even getting an exclusive look at the Costume Institute Exhibit at The Met, the famed Metropolitan Museum of Art, a privilege typically reserved for only students, scholars, and designers. Fashion wasn’t just something she wore — it was something she lived. Arika’s mom was a style icon to everyone that knew and loved her, and often emulated by many.
Even as Alzheimer’s took its toll, Nancy remained deeply connected to the small joys of life, like applying her favorite lipstick and accessorizing her wardrobe.
Her favorite mantras — “When you look good, you feel good,” “Go wash your face, you’ll feel better,” yes, she said it first!
“Individuality has its price, but it’s worth it.”
And- “JUST HAVE FUN!” — continue to inspire Arika’s work.
With her stepfather, Jim, battling Parkinson’s alongside her mother’s Alzheimer’s, Arika saw firsthand how difficult jewelry could be for both wearers and caregivers. At the time, Arika was in Baltimore, Maryland, while her mom, sister, and stepdad were in Buffalo, New York. With each visit, she did her best to help Andrea and Jim navigate the ever-changing challenges, striving to maintain a sense of normalcy and bring moments of joy wherever she could.
The family often collaborated to remove pain points and obstacles to help Nancy look and feel her best, and during each visit, Jim would ask Arika to remove her mother’s jewelry — a task he struggled with due to his condition. Determined to create a solution, Arika began researching adaptive jewelry and found a gap in the market. Jewelry that was both elegant and accessible didn’t seem to exist in a way that felt truly stylish and effortless.
She set out to change that.
Arika knew there had to be a better way to help not only her mom, but also her stepfather, sister, and caregivers maintain this important part of her identity and sense of well-being. Helping Nancy look and feel good and making her smile was above all. Moments of joy.
Eliciting joy through the little things — because they were always the big things.
Innovation Meets Elegance
Each piece in the Magnetics Collection™ is designed to work with a strong yet easy-to-use magnetic clasp, called the MagniClasp™, allowing the wearer to magnetically adapt and secure their jewelry in seconds without the frustration of standard tiny clasps. But it’s not just about function — it’s about beauty, too. The collection features chic components that can be mixed and matched, while also offering the option to easily adapt existing jewelry pieces centered around the line’s interchangeable and versatile concept.
Arika has also engineered magnetic stands and cases for the collection. These additions will be a game changer for your everyday life and travel. Not only do they offer beautiful designs but practical storage for the entire collection.
She successfully obtained a utility patent for the MagniClasp™, the game-changing piece designed to make jewelry easier to connect. This innovative system isn’t just for her collection — it can be integrated into any jewelry line, allowing companies to transform their own pieces into magnetic, easy-to-use accessories.
By licensing the MagniClasp™, brands can elevate their designs and make jewelry more functional for everyone — because style should never come with frustration.
The MagniClasp™ accessory system isn’t just a smart solution — it’s an opportunity for major jewelry brands to make their pieces more accessible and effortless. Think about Pandora® bracelets — those pesky screw clasps can be a nightmare to fasten. Imagine if they were magnetic instead — so much easier, especially for the moms and grandmas who love receiving them but struggle to put them on and take them off.
Her innovation ties into her “AMPlified” approach to life, a concept that holds Arika’s initials and embodies her philosophy. It embodies the ethos of Magnetics Collection™: a Joyful Approach to Making Life 1% Better™.
Inspired by this mindset, she is launching Living AMPlified®, a lifestyle blog dedicated to small, intentional changes that lead to a better, more fulfilling life not only in good times, but in the midst of challenging ones as well.
“Fancy Nancy’s” legacy lives on in her daughter Arika- and in Arika’s daughter, Nancy Jane, who carries her grandmother’s name and her love of fashion already, playing dress up and playing with her mom’s Magnetics Collection™ jewelry.
Arika’s vision extends far beyond just creating a convenient accessory. She sees Magnetics Collection™ as a way to honor her mother’s legacy while also supporting communities that need it most. A portion of proceeds is donated to the Alzheimer’s Association®, ensuring that every piece sold contributes to the fight against this devastating disease.
