J-ZINE EDIT: NATURE BY DESIGN - March 2024

J-ZINEEDIT yourteam

Editor-in-Chief / Founder Jason Aarons

jason@jewelleryafrika.com / +27 74 400 6677

Business Development Jenny Justus

jenny@jewelleryafrika.com / +27 83 450 6052

Curations & Advertising

Hilary Lazarus hilary@jewelleryafrika.com / +27 82 385 0913

Josie Lehy josie@jewelleryafrika.com / +27 62 513 2431

Global Curator Niyati Mendapara

Niyati.mendapara@gmail.com

Proud media partner to Mr South Africa

Digital Marketing Partner

Lynne Wilson Digital Marketing lynne@lynnewilson.co.za / +27 82 332 8290

Global Events Alliance Partner

DiaMondaine Diamantaires Club

Agnes Abdullahu, Founder & CEO info@diamondaine.com / +32 486 57 23 30

Marketing/PR

Sophia Tau / sophia@jewelleryafrika.com

General Enquiries hello@jewelleryafrika.com

J-ZINE Edit Free Subscriptions jzine@jewelleryafrika.com

Letyourheartspeak

allaroundtheworld

Inspirationcomesfrommyriadlifeexperiences, places,people,objectsand bountifulothersource Natureisprobablyoneofthemostinspiring.Andit’sallabouthaving one’sheart andsoul,mindandbodyinsyncwithwhatitpresentsintheskyabove,andearthandoceansbelow.

Our‘NaturebyDesign’Editpresentsaglimpseattheinspirational canvasesanddesignlanguagesAfrikanartisansuseastheir narratives.World-renownedSouthAfricanAfropopband,Mango Groove saysitallinlyricsfromtheirsong‘LetyourHeartSpeak’:

“Yousay,whydon'twepaintapicture

Ineverycolourthatweknow We'dcolourintheworldtogether,youandI Theskyabove,theearthbelow

It'stimewefoundadifferentlanguage Thekindthateveryonecouldshare Anewcommunicationoverlandandsea Foreverybodyeverywhere Iknowthatwe'llmakeit

There'snothingstandinginourway

Let'ssendamessageloudandclear

Letyourheartspeak

Simpleandsweet

Letyourwordsbeheardbyeveryone

Letyourheartspeakallaroundtheworld” Jason

Founder&Editor-in-Chief

Naturebydesign: museandmotif

TheAfrikanlandscapeisanabundant sourceofinspirationforartisansand jewellerydesignersalike.Frommajestic elephantstothevibrantcoloursofexotic flowers,thecontinent’sdiversefloraand faunahavelongservedasmuseandmotif forthecreationofexquisite,boldand standoutstatementjewellerypieces.

Onecannotoverlooktheinfluenceof Afrika'srichbiodiversityondesignsand patternsfoundintraditionalAfrikan jewellery.

Thegracefulmovementsoftheleopard,the intricatepatternsofthezebra,andthe majestichornsoftheantelopeareoften capturedintheformofmeticulouslycrafted pendants,earrings,andbracelets.

Thesepiecesnotonlycelebratethebeauty ofAfrika'swildlifebutalsoserveasa testamenttothedeepconnectionbetween itspeopleandthenaturalworld.

Floratoo,playsasignificantroleininspiringAfrikan jewellerydesign.Endlesshuesandpatternsseenin flowers,seedsandleavesfindtheirwayintothe intricatebeadworkandenameldetailingofmany pieces. Proteaandfynboscontinuetotranslate acrossmyriadmediumstocreateexceptional jewellerypiecesinpreciousmetals,woods,brass, polymerclay,resin,evenglassandpaper!

OneofthemosticonicsymbolsofAfrikanjewellery designisthebaobabtree-asourceofinspiration forcenturies. Itsdistinctiveshapeandtowering presenceareoftendepictedintheformofsculpted pendantsandornatefiligreework,symbolising strength,wisdom,andtheenduringspiritofAfrika.

Sweet pea earrings. Ebforson.

Anztruza - luxury ethically sourced

Inaworldwheremassproductionreigns supreme,Afrikan-inspiredjewellery servesasareminderofthebeautyand valueofhandcraftedartistry.Aswe continuetonavigateanincreasingly fast-pacedandglobalisedsociety,letus notforgettocherishthetimeless eleganceofnature'sinspiration.

Deon Smith Jewellery

Insectinspirations

InAfrika,wherenature's diversitythrives,eventhe smallestcreaturesinspireawe andcreativity.Fromthe intricatepatternsoftheirwings tothevibrantcoloursoftheir exoskeletons,insectshavelong beenafascinatingmusefor jewellerydesigners acrossthecontinent.

Oneofthemosticonicinsectsis thescarabbeetle.Reveredin ancientEgyptiancultureforits symbolismofrebirthand regeneration,thescarab'simage adornscountlesspiecesof jewellery,fromintricatelycarved pendantstoornatebracelets.Its distinctiveshapeandintricate detailingserveasatestamentto thebeautyandcomplexityof nature

Butbeyondthescarab,Afrikanjewellery designersdrawinspirationfromamyriadof otherinsects,eachwithitsownunique characteristicsandsymbolism.

Incorporatingelementsoftheseinsectsinto jewellerydesignsnotonlycelebratesthenatural worldbutalsoservesasareminderofthe interconnectednessofalllivingbeings.By immortalizingthesetinycreaturesinprecious metalsandgemstones,artisanscreatepieces thatcapturetheimaginationandspark conversationaboutthebeautyandimportance ofbiodiversity.

Throughtheirartistry,designerspayhomageto thebeautyandresilienceofthenaturalworld, invitingwearerstoembracetheuniquetapestry oflifethatsurroundsthem.

Oceanic overtures

ThevastexpanseofAfrika's coastlineisnotonlyhometo diverseecosystemsbutalsoarich sourceofinspirationforjewellery designers.Fromthevibrantcoral reefsoftheIndianOceantothe majesticmarinelifeoftheAtlantic, thefloraandfaunaoftheoceans inspireaplethoraofuniquedesigns. Seashells,withtheirintricateshapes andiridescenthues,areafavorite motif.Fromdelicateearringsto statementnecklaces,thesenatural treasuresevoketheserenebeauty oftheoceanandaddatouchof coastalcharmtoanyensemble. Similarly,pearls,harvestedfromthe depthsofthesea,symbolisepurity andelegance,andareoften incorporatedintosophisticated piecesofjewellery.

Down to Earth Jewellery

Thegracefulmovementsofmarine creaturessuchasdolphins,turtles, andseahorsesarealsocapturedin theformofsculptedpendantsand intricatelydetailedbracelets.These piecescelebratethewonderof underwaterlifeandserveasa reminderoftheimportanceof

Throughtheirjewellerydesigns, Afrikanartisanspayhomagetothe awe-inspiringbeautyoftheoceans andthediverselifeformsthatcall themhome.

Byincorporatingelementsof marinefloraandfaunaintotheir creations,theycreatepiecesthat notonlyadornthebodybutalso evokeasenseofconnectiontothe naturalworldandthewondersof thedeepbluesea.

DeonSmithJewellery’sunique BotanicalCollection

Whatinitiallydrewyoutobotanicalsas inspirationforyourjewellerydesigns?

I’mfortunatetoliveinCapeTown,surrounded byitsextraordinarynaturalbeauty.Onwalks inKirstenboschGardens,theslopesofTable MountainandRondeboschCommon,whichis onmydoorstep,itisimpossiblenottobe captivatedbytheuniqueandoftenotherworldlyappearance,structureorbloomsof fynbosplants.It’snotsurprisingthatthegreat diversityanduniquenessofFynboshasmade itoneofthe6FloristicKingdomsoftheworld.

Aretherespecificbotanicalspeciesor materialwhichparticularlyappealtoyou?If so,why?

Myaimhasbeentocelebratetheindigenous floraofSouthAfricaandinparticularthe fynbos.Therearecertainindigenousplants liketheArumLily,theKingProteaandthePin Cushionwhichhave,inmyopinion,been overdone,soI’vesteeredclearofthemand focusedonlesserknownplantsthatare strikinganddecorativeandworthyofmore attentionthantheyreceive.

Isthereanycultural/symbolicsignificance behindtheBotanicalCollection?

WithmyBotanicalcollectionIwantedto celebratetheuniquenaturalheritageofSA whichtoooftengoesunnoticedand unappreciated.BecausemanySouthAfricans havegrownupwithitorliveinitsmidst,they takeitforgrantedanddon’tappreciatejust howuniqueitisintheglobalcontext. Whatdoyouhopewearersofyourjewellery takeawayfromtheconnectionbetween nature,botanicals,wood,andyourdesigns?

Apartfromtheextraordinarybeautyand uniquenessofmanyofthefynbosplants,I wantwearersofmyjewellerytobecome awarethatmanyoftheseplantsare extremelyvulnerableandatgreatriskof extinction.

Whatdoestheconceptof‘NaturebyDesign’ meantoyoupersonallyandprofessionally?

Eversincewebegantomakeandwearitems ofpersonaladornment, elements,shapes andformsfromnaturehavebeenthe inspirationforourdesigns.Andofcourse, natureprovidedtherawmaterials.

Morecommonly,naturalshapesandforms areusedinastylisedorsimplifiedformin jewellerydesign.Istrivetobemoreprecise andbotanicallycorrectbecauseIwantthe wearertomarvelatandenjoywhathastaken millenniatobeshapedandformed.

Deon Smith Jewellery deon@deonsmithjewellery.com

Maninsilver wreathwith flowersand pendantsClintMalique

Shot&directedby@daniel.asater

Styledby@nourbozz

Makeup&groomingby@gaelsastremakeup

Fashionassistant@margueritachris

Photographyassistant@efraim evidorebeautyand serenityoftheearth.

Pexels

Afrikaexplores... theMiddleEast

JoinJewelleryAfrikainthefirstofour ‘Afrikaexplores’aswediscoverthe cross-overinfluencesAfrikandesign, cultureandinspirationshaveon jewellerycommunitiesworldwide;and ofcoursetheyonus!

Ourmaidenvoyagetakesustothe MiddleEast,wheresubtleAfrikan motifs,colours,patterns,floraand faunasymbolism,blendseamlessly withtheintricatedesignsand gemstonesseeninMiddleEastern craftsmanship.

Maui ring.

Aariya Diamonds

Elephant charm. Signature Jewelry By FA

Malachite Long Earrings. Baguette Design

The Wildflower Ring. Beenish Mahmood

Ruby Petali necklace. FHK by Style Gallery

Ruby necklace. Moelry Jewelry

Blooming emerald necklace. La Graine Fine Jewellery

Treasures round pendant. Masah Fine Jewellery

Artisan bangle. La Marquise Jewellery

Spiralize earrings. Nijma M Fine Jewelry

Sole bangle. Bagliore Jewelry

Butterfly earrings. JewelYara

Wood:chicand sustainable

Afrikanwoods,withtheirrichtextures, intricategrainpatterns,anddeephues, havelongbeenasourceofinspirationfor ourdesigners.ThediversityofAfrikan woodsoffersatreasuretroveof possibilitiesforcreatingstunningand uniquepiecesofjewellery.

Oneofthemostnotablewoodsusedin AfrikanJewellerydesignisebony. Renownedforitsdeepblackcolourand finegrain,ebonyhasbeenprizedfor centuriesforitsbeautyanddurability. Jewellerycraftedfromebonyoften featuressleek,minimalistdesignswhich highlightthenaturaleleganceofthewood

Inadditiontoebony,otherwoods commonlyusedincludemahogany, rosewood,andteak.Eachwoodbrings itsowndistinctcharacteristicstothe table,fromthewarmreddish-brown tonesofmahoganytotherichgolden huesofteak.

ManyAfrikanjewellerydesignersalso incorporatetraditionalcarving techniquesintotheirwork,adding intricatedetailsandmotifsinspiredby natureandculturalheritage.Whether it'sadelicatefloralpatterncarvedintoa pendantorthegracefulcurvesofan animalmotifadorningabracelet,these handcraftedpiecescelebratethe beautyandcraftsmanshipofAfrikan artistry.

JewelleryAfrikaalliancepartneropportunityat ‘InvestinAfrica’Summit2024

Innovators,start-ups,andcompaniesfrom thediamond,gold,gemstone,platinum,and luxuryindustrysectorsareinvitedtojoin JewelleryAfrika’salliancepartner,the DiaMondaineDiamantairesClub(DDC) at theirspecialedition, ‘FromMinetoMarket Dealrooms’onthe InvestorsTriptoEurope, during‘InvestinAfrica’.

ThistakesplaceonApril16-17inDenHague., Netherlands.

‘FromMinetoMarket’isaspaceforminers, tradersandjewellerstocometogether, discusscurrenttrends,educateeachother andfindbestwaystomutualcooperation. High-potentialprojectsinAfrikawillbe presentedtointernationalinvestors.Featured agendaitemsincludeshowcasingofprojects, capacitybuildingworkshops,thedeal marketplace,exhibitions,andcountry presentations,amongothers.Fashionand jewellerydesigners/artistsarealsoinvitedto promotetheirbrands. TobeputincontactwiththeDDC,email JasonAaronsatjason@jewelleryafrika.com.

Championingandempowering Afrikanjewellery

JewelleryAfrikaannounced itsinternationalmedia alliancewiththeDiaMondaine DiamantairesClub(DDC)basedinBelgium- in Decemberlastyear. Thisalignedwithour partnership-drivenfocusof alliancesandcollaborations acrossthecontinentand globally.Moreover,it synergiseswithouraimof championingandempowering Afrikanjewelleryandsharing theirnarrativesworldwide.

“TheDDChelps diamondpreneurs,jewellery andjewellerydesigners throughnetworking,education andleadershipdevelopment," saysAgnesAbdullahu,DDC founderandCEO.

"Ourmissionistoinspire, create,match,connectand bringpositivejewelleryand diamondstoriestotheworld.”

Agnesadds:“JewelleryAfrika isaperfectplatformforusto partnerwithinempowering peopleinthesesectorsin Afrikaandgivethem substantialtractionand opportunitiesontheglobal stage.

“DDCisleadingthefutureby creatingsharedvalues.Itisa meetingpointwheremutual collaborationneedsto outbalancethechallenges.”

Agnesorchestratesdiamond networkingtrips, connecting entrepreneurswithcapital, partners,andsolutions. The company’sessenceisto ‘Immerse.Inspire.See. Understand.Learn.Act’.

"TheHouseofDiaMondaine initiatespartnershipswithart devivreplatforms,offering premiumnetworkingeventsin fashion,art,jewellery, diamonds,design,andmining investments.

Hilary:+27823850913/hilary@jewelleryafrika.com

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