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ReSet will offer a fresh perspective on responsible sourcing and sustainability through creative and engaging collaborations with jewelry designers
De Beers Group is pleased to introduce ReSet, a series of collaborations with jewelry designers to engage in conversations around sustainability and to offer a fresh perspective on the positive impacts of natural diamonds.
The initiative aims to help ‘reset’ perceptions and shine a light on the significant positive contribution that natural diamonds deliver for the people and places where they are found, by collaborating with established and up-and-coming jewelry designers who will set diamonds discovered by De Beers into a range of pieces, celebrating sustainability in the sector.
The initiative’s first activation – the ReSet Collective – launches today and is a collaboration with five leading US designers who share a passion for natural diamonds and sustainable sourcing – Jade Trau, Jennie Kwon, Julez Bryant, Sara Weinstock and Zoë Chicco. The designers travelled to Botswana late last year to visit De Beers Group’s operations and a range of community and conservation programmes, learning about the company’s commitment to Building Forever, which focuses on building a positive legacy by protecting the environment, helping communities thrive, championing women and girls and being industry leaders in ethical practices.
Following the visit, each designer created a unique pendant incorporating diamonds from De Beers, which was inspired by the people, wildlife and beautiful landscape of Botswana, as well as a shared commitment to helping shape a better world. The collection of one-of-a-kind pieces will be auctioned for charity later this year, with a supporting consumer engagement campaign.
Colby Shergalis, Senior Vice President of De Beers Group Brand, said: “Through ReSet, we are connecting a community of jewelry designers to the people and places where our diamonds originate, so the designers can learn more about the journey of a De Beers diamond and the positive impact it makes. We were proud to host Jade, Jennie, Julez, Sara and Zoë at our operations in Botswana, and have been moved by their enthusiasm about sharing what they’ve learned and by their desire to find additional ways to give back. The beautiful and unique pendants they created are the result of months of work, in challenging times, spurred on by the memories of the extraordinary connections they made with one another and with the people of Botswana and we look forward to launching the collection.”
When each of the designers were asked about their experiences in Botswana, Jennie Kwon replied, “Us designers formed such a special bond while we were out in Botswana with De Beers Group and we wanted to commemorate the experience by collaborating on a project that would live on beyond the trip. As this project started to get fleshed out, it became important to us that the project feel relevant to the times, with so many things going on this year. Once it was decided that the proceeds would go towards causes that we each felt were relevant and important, the purpose became two-fold, so took on even more weight.”
Jade Trau added, “The trip was life changing for me, so being able to memorialize it in a piece of jewelry was just the icing on the cake. It empowered and educated me in the rough diamond space, as well as the supply chain, and it makes me feel good about choosing to design and sell diamond jewelry as my career.”
Sara Weinstock said, “Fine jewellery is a passion for me, and one that is rooted in the beauty, naturality, and authenticity of a diamond. I wanted to be part of this campaign because I want to highlight to consumers—young and old—the good that the natural diamond industry does and the ethical ways in which diamonds are mined since there are some outdated representations out there. The gift of this trip was seeing first-hand the process and feeling confident that I am a lucky woman to work within the diamond industry. My dreams have been realized.”
Julez Bryant responded “I have chosen to be a part of this because the land of Botswana is sacred and it’s in my soul now. If we use diamonds from De Beers Group, then perhaps I can bring the magic of the people into my work and we can in turn contribute to their growth and empowerment.”
Zoë Chicco remarked that she was, “honored to be invited to Botswana with De Beers Group and an amazing group of my fellow female designers to learn more about the diamond industry, De Beers’ impact and the country itself. It was truly an eye-opening experience. What De Beers is doing in Botswana is supporting and lifting up the people and providing opportunities that wouldn’t have existed otherwise. One of the highlights of the trip was getting to go on safari with the women I had become so close with during our adventure and seeing so many majestic creatures in person. It was truly a magical experience for all of us.”
Visit https://www.debeersgroup.com/campaigns/reset-collective or @debeersgroup on Instagram for exclusive content that follows each designer’s creative journey from her experience in Botswana to the creation of her unique pendant.
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Notes to Editors
High resolution images of the five designers who comprise the ReSet Collective are available to download here.
About Jade Trau
Since establishing her own namesake brand, Jade has used her vast years of experience in the diamond industry, to pay homage to her family heritage as a fifth generation diamantaire. Her belief is that jewelry should become an extension of the wearer and empower self-expression. Which is why storytelling and enhancing the inherent magical beauty of a diamond, are at the forefront of her brand.
Her designs reinterpret vintage inspirations, resulting in classic yet contemporary pieces of jewelry that connect wearers across generations as well as complimenting the person wearing it. Her jewelry is manufactured and hand-finished under one roof in New York City. Using the highest quality materials, finest craftsmanship and responsibly sourced and conflict-free natural diamonds, she finds the beauty in the unseen and manifests this into her designs.
www.jadetrau.com | @jadetrau
About Jennie Kwon
A native of Los Angeles and a former violinist and attorney, Jennie creates meaningful jewelry with a soul, underpinned by thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship. She takes inspiration from the art, natural beauty and style that surrounds her. Each of her pieces are meticulously designed to be graceful, balanced and wearable, with unforgettably unique accents. Jennie meticulously designs each piece with a clear and poetic voice. All the stones she uses are responsibly sourced and conflict free, and her pieces are made of fair-mined and fair-trade gold.
www.jenniekwondesigns.com | @jenniekwondesigns
About Julez Bryant
Julez began her creative journey after her dear friend lost his life to cancer. Upon his passing, he gifted her a bracelet, in which Julez converted into her first jewelry design. Since then, her creative outlet has organically grown into an established fine jewelry brand, built on the belief that women should feel empowered in the jewelry they choose to wear. Her team of artisans hand-forge each piece in her design studio, located along the Southern California coastline. Her timeless collections are the perfect marriage of rough and refined, fierce and feminine, combining her love of bold shapes with soft, satin finishes and delicate hand-hammered touches.
www.julezbryant.com | @julezbryant
About Sara Weinstock
Growing up with a deep love for jewelry since her younger days marvelling through her grandmother’s heirlooms, Sara weaves storytelling and masterful creativity into her designs. Her Los Angeles based brand was born from the desire to empower, inspire and free women to express their own unique style, independence and femininity. And as a passionate artisan, she uses her life experiences combined with nature and architecture when designing her pieces. Her jewelry is meant to be personal treasures worn for all of life’s moments, whether a celebration, special occasion or a simple joy. In the same way that every woman is different, so are the stones she uses. Beautifully unique and rare, she ensures that each one is of the highest quality, responsibly sourced and special in its own way. Her jewelry celebrates the individual light that shines within all of us.
www.saraweinstock.com | @saraweinstock
About Zoë Chicco
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Zoe discovered her knack for jewelry design at an early age when she fell in love with her grandmother’s vast collection. By the time she attended college in New York, she had committed to a lifelong pursuit of adornment design. Her focus is to create handmade jewelry to be worn for a lifetime, with a speciality in creating classic, versatile pieces with a personal touch. Delicate and modern, she draws inspiration from everything around her, including art, fashion, and friends. Every piece that goes out of the door of her Los Angeles studio, is intended to be lived in, loved and hopefully passed down for generations to come. Under her careful stewardship, each piece is produced in house by a dedicated team of artisans. With her meticulous eye for detail and quality, she ensures every piece is lovingly hand-made.
www.zoechicco.com | @zoechiccojewelry
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About De Beers Group
Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of the De Beers Group strategy as it develops its portfolio of brands, including De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions, such as recently launched diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives GemFair and Tracr. De Beers Group employees are committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – one that is fairer, safer, cleaner and healthier; where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; and where communities thrive and the environment is protected. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.