Our hearts go out to the people of Japan as they deal with the untold devastation brought about by the earthquake and tsunami. We wish to extend our sincerest condolences to all those who have been inflicted with loss of loved ones. Our deepest sympathies, thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who have been lost.
In the last couple of weeks, I’ve been sensing a vibe for handmade. An impulse that violently draws away from the mundaneness of cookie-cutter, lackluster jewelry designs that are out there these days. If it isn’t a typical overworked look that’s screaming out at you from fashion magazines as the hot new accessory worn by so and so in Hollywood, it’s a design that’s been copied from somewhere, mass-produced and sold at H&M for a price that makes you have to wonder how little the workers who toil away at the factories must get paid to piece it together.
Sorry, but resin plastic cuffs at Celine and Fendi crystal embellished brass rings? Has jewelry sunk with the downfall of the economy? Don’t get me wrong, I think resin, crystals and brass are excellent materials for certain types of jewelry, but the way those luxury fashion brands market their products rips the soul right out of jewelry. The industry desperately needs to switch gears to become one that provides jewelry with more integrity, more spirit, more originality and lively stories behind each piece.
I believe a return to handmade may be the very answer, and encourage you to seek out the real jewelers, the true metalsmiths and artisans out there designing and creating real jewelry with passion and meaning. Jewelry that is neither materialistic nor superficial, just genuine and meaningful.
I recently stumbled upon a fabulous online community founded in Brooklyn, NY – Etsy. The Etsy community spans the globe with buyers and sellers coming from more than 150 countries around the world. Its mission is to enable people to make a living making things, and to reconnect makers with buyers. Their vision is to build a new economy and present a better choice: Buy, Sell, and Live Handmade. Well, Etsy, you have my vote.
Look at it as a fair trade marketplace with awesome, unique handmade products made not by individuals living in developing countries, but by creative minds living in over-industrialized nations.
It’s about time.
Check out the awesome article in the March 2011 issue of Horizon Magazine entitled “Green is the New Black” by journalist writer and DIAZ jewelry wearer Helen Dalley.
“Forget unflattering hemp skirts and kitschy ethical jewellery; eco fashion is evolving into something way cooler as a wave of environmentally conscious style pioneers steer green design into more glamourous territory in Hong Kong”.
The article features excerpts from interviews with local pioneers, including our very own Creative Director, Salina on global trends in sustainable fashion and it’s influences in Hong Kong.
What a thrill it was to be chosen and featured in the January 2011 issue of Silver Styles magazine!
We were honored that our jewelry was featured alongside jewelry by John Hardy, a man we’ve always admired for putting silver on the luxury jewelry map and for his influence on the brand’s simple nature-inspired designs and local sustainability efforts in Bali, Indonesia.
Our featured pieces are from the SOL Collections: the Wabi and Sabi pendants from the Bonsai series, and the Be-Bopp and Supernova rings from the Celestial series.
Our founder and chief designer, Takashi was recently asked to give style notes on Antonio Marras’ latest ready-to-wear collection for KENZO at Paris Fashion Week. In a collection that was described as “contrasting the bourgeoisie with the bohemian,” vibrant colors were accentuated by accessories that included hip fedoras and lavish scarves. Takashi’s jewelry picks for the collection included bold statement rings, much like the DIAZ cocktail rings featured throughout the article.
Jewelry trend forecast: 2011 – look out for statement necklaces, stacked bangles and cuffs, layered chains and bold cocktail rings.
Source: Shanghai Daily Photo: China Daily
The Kimberley Process, an international diamond tracking regime was designed to certify the origin of rough diamonds from sources which are free of conflict funded by diamond production. The recent failure of the Kimberley Process to take tough action against Zimbabwe and its non-compliance with international trade standards regarding diamonds from its Marange diamond fields is a major concern as undocumented diamonds continue to be sold to a mix of foreign buyers who smuggle them out of the country.
It is a well documented fact that rough diamonds from all over the world are mixed during trade before cutting and resale. With the failure of the Kimberley Process to stand resolutely for clean diamonds, there really is no way of being 100% certain that even a certified diamond you’re purchasing really is a conflict-free gem.
Insisting on conflict-free gems is an important first step to encourage change in the diamond industry. However, while the standards and definition of “conflict-free” remain ambiguous, consumers remain skeptical. When perfect alternatives do exist, must one still demand a mined diamond?
Our line of original 100% Conflict-Free designer engagement rings are set with the exquisite precision cut created stones of Swarovski Gems™; to offer a truly sincere, transparent and flawless promise to cherish with confidence forever. Check out the DIAZ Bridal Collection here.
We’ve always been striving to find the best way to package our jewelry – looking for the best ‘ingredients’ in a balance of functionality, beauty, simplicity and sustainability. We knew that by reducing our use of paper and by using paper made with postconsumer recycled fiber, we consume less of the Earth’s forests – which was a good start. We also believe that paper should not be made with virgin wood fiber taken from trees harvested in endangered forests, and that it should be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Between sourcing materials and finding a green manufacturer there were a few hiccups along the way, but we’re happy with where we’re at now.
Here’s how our current packaging inspires sustainability:
- The boxes are made using 70% post consumer recycled fiber, 30% FSC certified fiber.
- The paper for the boxes is made carbon neutral and manufactured with 100% renewable green energy.
- The inner wrapping is handmade from sustainably produced, recycled mulberry leaves.
- In our goal to minimize the consumption of resources (wood, water, chemicals and energy), we carefully selected and work with forward looking suppliers and printers who are open and proactive, and who are progressive considering the entire life cycle of paper and printing method.
Selected rings from the Celestial Series are stocked at the newly opened HammerGallery, a fantastic Hong Kong based gallery specializing in the exhibition and sales of contemporary fine jewelry. The gallery’s main feature are its collection of exquisite jewelry designed and made in Europe. It represents designers selected for their innovative concepts and sensitive use of materials and is a unique jewel in the current mass-production retail market.
The gallery is nestled in one of the oldest areas of Hong Kong Island, in Sheung Wan above Hollywood Road. Still retaining the original character of Hong Kong, the upper area of Sheung Wan is surrounded by luscious trees, gardens, picturesque and historical old buildings, stairs and pathways. A perfect stroll to let your soul breathe quietness while listening to the birds.
Address: G/F, Shop A, 8 Tai On Terrace, Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.
Website: http://www.hammergallery.com.hk/
Inquiries: sirkka@hammergallery.com.hk
The goal of upcycling is to prevent wasting potentially useful materials by making use of existing ones, making something of equal or better value without downgrading the original material or creating more pollution during the process.
We couldn’t help but be inspired and think that this was a wonderful detour from the current norm in luxury sustainable jewelry of using recycled silver or gold, which requires melting, casting and soldering. We really wanted to take our jewelry one step up on the scale of sustainability, and so we got to work on it… Introducing RE to the SOL Collections, a series that symbolizes all our favorite ‘re’ words: rethink, renew, refresh, revive, recreate… In addition to not using ‘virgin’ silver, by manually hammering and shaping the rings and pendants, we avoided the energy-consuming processes of melting, casting and soldering, leaving no footprint behind.
The RE series of rings and pendants are created out of ‘flawed’ silver bangles salvaged from our workshop. We have given a new lease on life to the Conflict-free Bangle cuffs that did not make the cut during our “100% Conflict Free” fundraising campaign to support organic farming cooperatives in Sierra Leone. Each bangle is now a completely different handmade, one-of-a-kind product.
RE is fun, whimsical and eco-conscientious. Proceeds from sales of the RE series will be donated to support grassroots environmental organization through 1% for the Planet.
About DIAZ
DIAZ Jewelry is an ethical, sustainable jewelry brand with a mission to create the best products, encourage individuals to defy stereotypes, and use business to inspire creativity and sustainability.