Saturday, July 24, 2010

USA:Alkemie jewellery from 100% reclaimed metals

 


Forged from 100% reclaimed metals, husband-and-wife design team Ashley Lowengrub and Dara Gerson's striking, one-of-a-kind designs are equal parts art and accessory. Prior to starting Alkemie, each had successful jewelry lines working with traditional metals. After learning more about the harmful social and environmental effects of mining, they sought out local eco-friendly materials.

All designs are manufactured by hand in downtown Los Angeles, California. Alkemie Jewelry has earned a devoted international following based not only on their original design appeal, but also due to their leadership as a socially and environmentally progressive company. Drawing inspiration and motivation from their daily lives, their love for culture and planet as well as their strong beliefs to do no harm, Dara Gerson and Ashley Lowengrub are true pioneers.

Alkemie is completely family-owned and operated- therefore the process of inspiration and design often comes from a mutual dialogue of teaching and learning from their daughters: “Recently we were at the beach exploring tide pools with our kids, and our older daughter picked up this huge starfish which we flipped for. The texture was amazing as was the gorgeous natural form, and seeing the contrast against her hand gave us the inspiration for a new design that we recently produced: the Starfish Cuff”.

Years of experience in the jewelry industry had made Dara and Ashley weary of the toxic working conditions and environmental impacts of the gem and fine metal industries- until one day they decided it was something they could no longer continue to support. It was then that Ashley and Dara, combining their shared knowledge of the industry collaborated to create Alkemie- a brand that would immediately pioneer and change the jewelry industry due to its social and environmentally responsible practices.

Alkemie promotes fair trade, local living wage and eco-sustainable business practices to combat the existing harmful effects and conditions of the metal and gemstone industry; including social issues such as children working in dangerous conditions to mine and mount stones, as well as environmental issues, like toxic chemicals from mines seeping into the surrounding land and severely damaging precious watersheds. Dara and Ashley knew they could continue to create beautiful jewelry within the framework of ethically and socially responsible standards, and working with 100% reclaimed metals, they have successfully merged eco with art. 



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