19:26 | New York (U.S.), Dec. 5.
International designers showcased their collections made with responsible gold produced by Peruvian artisanal women miners during the Reciprocity Exhibition held during New York Jewelry Week (NYCJW) from November 15 to 17, 2023, as reported by the
Commission for the Promotion of Peru for Export and Tourism (PromPeru).
The Peruvian artisanal women miners network comes from the Madre de Dios region and is dedicated to extracting mercury-free and traceable gold within the supply chain.
The exhibition served as an educational platform, shedding light on how the jewelry industry can serve as a force for good to transform communities, especially in more remote and challenging areas like the Peruvian Amazon.
Guests also had the opportunity to learn about the Peruvian origin of the raw materials used for jewelry production.
In this regard, the Trade Office in New York conducted a special presentation highlighting sustainable production practices in Peru.
Among the jewelry designers were Peruvian jeweler Andrea Jose; the founders of Reciprocity: Amulet by D, Andrea Jose, Barbosa, Dana Bronfman, Delphine Leymarie, Iza by Silvia D'Avila, Kathryn the Younger; and the invited designers of Reciprocity 2023: Christina Malle, COCOEROW, Estudio Alba, Inesa Kovalova, M4t3ri4, and Susan Wheeler Designs.
The compatriot initiated this collaboration with artisanal miners from the Peruvian Amazon region in 2019 alongside the NGO Pure Earth, based in New York City.
Through her company Casa Collab, the Peru-based B Corp is empowering the artisanal model, sourcing locally, and transforming responsible gold into cast pieces, sheets, wires, and other forms to enable designers to create their work for this event.
"The idea of reciprocity, in the context of this exhibition, is fundamental to how we, as designers, approach our practices. Reciprocity is the foundation of collaboration and friendship, the core of true connections that bring our society to life. The purpose is the mutual benefit of all participants in the collaborative process of jewelry making, from the mine to the finished product," explained Andrea Jose, emphasizing the collaborative essence of the project.
During the event, guests enjoyed a special pisco-based reception, the characteristic drink of Peru, served by the Peruvian restaurant Jora in New York; meanwhile, Peruvian brands Kuna and Amaru Superfoods sponsored the event with fine alpaca garments and Peruvian superfoods.
It is worth mentioning that the NGO Pure Earth supports the network of Peruvian artisanal women miners.
The Reciprocity exhibition, carried out with the support of the PromPeru Trade Office in New York and the
Consulate General of Peru in New York, is a collaborative project that underscores the importance of mutual benefit in the jewelry industry, seeking to redefine the supply chain for a more sustainable future.
By bringing together miners, jewelers, and designers, the aim was to promote responsible and transparent practices while celebrating the reciprocal advantages of these partnerships.
(END) NDP/RMB/MVB
Published: 12/5/2023