Our products are made from many different materials. From gemstones to textile fibers and from glass beads to paper. All of them have an impact on the world and on the people who work with them. Would you like to learn more about the materials we use and why we make these choices. Then read on and discover what, how and why lies behind every detail.

We prefer to use materials with the lowest possible impact on people and the environment. We work hard to keep increasing the share of low impact materials. In doing so, we work closely with our producers.

We ask our producers to be as transparent as possible. About the materials they work with, about the suppliers who provide these materials and about the country of origin. In many cases, a supply chain is complex and not always fully traceable. That is exactly why we stay in close conversation and keep looking for ways to gain more clarity.

This is especially important for materials that can carry risks in terms of human rights or the environment. Examples are metals and gemstones. These are mined, and depending on the type of mine, the country and the material, there is not always good control over the conditions. By continuing to ask about origin and working methods, we gain a better understanding of the impact and can, where possible, choose materials and sources with the least possible negative influence on people and nature. In this way, we work towards materials that are increasingly traceable to the source, with care and respect for everyone involved.

Our products are handmade in Nepal and India, preferably using locally sourced materials or materials we can trace. We place great value on traditional handwork techniques, and not all materials are suitable for this.

One of the main materials we use is brass, a mix of copper and zinc. It is a relatively soft metal that can be shaped, hammered and cast with ease. It is also easy to recycle. Stainless steel, for example, is not suitable for traditional techniques and is mainly produced by machines in factories. In other words, not for us. In addition, brass is relatively light in weight, lighter than stainless steel, which makes it more comfortable to wear.

At this moment, we choose to create accessible jewelry, because not everyone can buy solid gold or silver jewelry with exclusive gemstones. By gold plating or silver plating brass, we give a safe and well tested metal, free from harmful substances such as nickel and lead, a luxurious finish. This way, our jewelry remains a meaningful and valuable gift. Handmade with love and traditional craftsmanship, enriched with the special meaning of the gemstones or symbols used in each design.

During gold or silver plating, a process called electroplating, a thin layer of gold or silver is applied to the brass using electrical current. This layer, like the outer layer of most metals, can wear or discolor over time through contact with certain substances. To keep your jewelry beautiful for as long as possible, we recommend avoiding contact with perfume, hairspray and water.

We use natural gemstones, not only because they are beautiful and versatile, but also because we love the symbolism behind them.

The gemstones are regularly tested for authenticity by our producers and by us on a sample basis. For more information about how we continue to gain more insight into the origin of our gemstones, read more here.

In our jewelry we also use high quality glass beads made in Japan and the Czech Republic. These glass beads are REACH certified, which means they contain no harmful substances that could damage the environment or human health.

The brass crimp beads we use are imported from India. Our producers ensure that these are tested for the absence of nickel and lead.

When designing our products, we increasingly use recycled materials.

A beautiful example is recycled saris. Saris are large rectangular wrap garments made from different types of textiles, printed with the most beautiful patterns. In India and Nepal, women wear saris on special occasions. It would be a shame to throw them away when they are no longer worn. That is why we turn them into lovely accessories, from bracelets to storage pouches and scrunchies. Because every sari is different, all products are unique. This means you receive an accessory that is truly one of a kind. For the story about our producer, read here.

Another recycled material is katran. Our producer Seet Kamal in India makes our notebooks. Their mission is to reduce the use of raw materials throughout the entire chain, for example by reusing materials. For the covers of our notebooks, leftovers from the garment industry are ground together with starch and then shaped as desired, even into sheets of cotton paper. For the full process, read this blog.

In our care tips you can read what you can do and what you should avoid to keep your jewelry in top condition.

• Do you use makeup, hairspray or perfume. Apply these first and only then put on your jewelry.
• Take off your jewelry when you go to sleep.
• Our jewelry does not like water, and it does not like chemicals either. So take it off when cleaning, showering or swimming.
• Extreme heat and bright sunlight are not good for your jewelry. Do not store it near a heater and take it off when sunbathing or blow drying your hair.
• Store your jewelry in a dry place, so preferably not in the bathroom. Even better, store it in our Treasure Keepers.
• To refresh the shine, gently rub your jewelry now and then with one of our polishing cloths. Polish around the gemstones, which you can clean if needed with a soft, clean microfiber cloth.