Materials

Every piece of jewelry from our Rainforest Jewelry collection is a sparkling tribute to the pristine beauty of the Amazon. With care and respect, we gather the most beautiful materials directly from the heart of the rainforest, sometimes enriched with the finest seed beads. Our creations offer not only a dazzling, but also a labor-intensive alternative to logging, preserving the beauty of nature.

The journey of each natural material, from the rainforest to jewelry, is steeped in tradition. Just as our ancestors did centuries ago, we prepare these treasures using timeless methods. Seeds are lovingly hand-drilled, carefully sanded, and polished to perfection, all to create a piece of jewelry that is not only breathtakingly beautiful but also utterly unique. Each piece is the result of unparalleled craftsmanship and artisanal precision.

Below you will find a treasure map to the most enchanting materials we use in our jewelry magic.

Date Palm

Date palm seeds are the seeds of the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera), a species originating from the Middle East and North Africa but cultivated in many parts of the world for its sweet fruit, known as dates. Date palm seeds are also used in crafts and artistic projects. They can be carved, polished, or painted to create decorative items such as jewelry, ornaments, or sculptures. Their unique shape and texture make them popular materials for creative projects.

Wooden beads

Wooden beads have been used for centuries in various cultures around the world. They are valued for their natural aesthetics, versatility, and easy adaptability. Wood, as a renewable resource, adds an environmentally friendly aspect to crafting with these beads.

Job’s Tears

The gray Jobstranen, resembling glazed pottery, are called kanifro. They naturally come with a hole. Children easily slide them off the stem to thread them. They originate from the grain-bearing, perennial tropical plant of the Poaceae family.

Yellow Oleander, Lucky Nut

These seeds originate from the yellow oleander (Thevetia peruviana) and are toxic. Traditionally, indigenous people make rattles (‘karawasi’) from these by tying the dried ripe fruits to a stick attached to a warimbo basket (woven from Ischnosiphon arouma) and stamping them on the ground in a certain rhythm during traditional dances, creating a rattling sound. Often, these rattles are also made as foot ornaments.

Gourd

Calabashes are fascinating plants with versatile applications that come in different shapes and sizes. From serving as containers and musical instruments to being used in crafts and decorations, they have a wide range of uses. Some cultures even use dried calabashes as a base for creating intricate artworks and jewelry.

Horse Eye Bean

The seeds of the Mucuna Sloanei (Horse’s Eye Tree) resemble an eye or a hamburger, which is why they are often called horse eyes, goat eyes, cow eyes, or hamburger beans.

Noble Ormosia

Paternoster beans, also known as “Kokrikri” in Surinamese, are a type of bean originally from Central and South America. They are small, shiny, and often brightly colored. These beans are generally not consumed due to their toxicity; however, they are often used decoratively in jewelry making or as ornamental plants. The seeds contain toxic compounds such as abrin, making them poisonous if ingested. Therefore, they are mainly used for decorative purposes rather than culinary.

Coconut

The hard outer shell of the coconut can be carved, polished, or painted to create a wide range of items. These can include bowls, cups, spoons, buttons, ornaments, and even jewelry. Coconut shell crafts often require precise carving skills and attention to detail.

Morototoni seeds

Mara mara seeds come from the Morotoni tree (Didymopanax morototoni), a tree species mainly found in parts of South America, including Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia. These seeds are often used for various purposes, including crafting and decorative applications. The seeds of the Morotoni tree are known for their durability and natural beauty. They are hand-drilled and can then be colored with natural substances to be used in jewelry production, handicraft projects, or even as decorative accents.

Açai seeds

Açaí seeds are often used in jewelry making due to their natural beauty and sustainability. After the açaí berries are harvested for their pulp, the seeds are often discarded. However, artisans have found a creative way to repurpose these seeds by transforming them into unique and eco-friendly jewelry pieces.

Palm seeds

A variety of palm seeds can be used in jewelry making, each offering unique characteristics and aesthetic appeal. Overall, the variety of palm seeds available offers jewelry makers a wide range of options for creating distinctive and environmentally friendly pieces. Each type of seed brings its own charm and character to jewelry designs, making them popular choices among artisans and eco-conscious consumers.

Glass seed beads

Rocaille beads are small, often round beads used in jewelry making, particularly in beadwork and embroidery. They are known for their uniform size and shape, making them ideal for intricate designs and patterns. Rocaille beads are typically made of glass, but they can also be made from plastic or other materials. They come in a wide range of colors and finishes, including matte, metallic, and iridescent.

Seeds of the Indian Shot

The story goes that soldiers used the seeds of the Canna Indica (Sakasiri) as ammunition in the 19th century during the Indian uprising when their regular bullets ran out. This way, Canna was further spread in nature.