The new wave of fine jewelers bringing African luxury to the world

 

Emerald earrings from Vania Leles’ Legends of Africa collection Credit: Vania Leles

Summary: 

     Diamonds, gold, and other minerals come from Africa and are sourced to world-renowned jewelry houses. Each region of Africa has its own style of jewels and across the whole continent, there is a wide history of complex jewelry craft. Miners in Africa develop unique designs and show pride through gemstones by honoring the countries the gemstones come from. African miners who source gemstones are also trained to cut and polish, allowing them to increase the value of the unique gemstones. Vania Leles, owner of a fine jewelry brand, is all about further educating customers about the origins of the gemstones as stones in Africa have been undervalued. More awareness of the beauty and value of African gemstones plays a role in the prices of the gemstones. While Africa is the source of gemstones to many jewelry houses, no Africans lead these world-renowned jewelry houses even though Africans are the ones with so many natural resources. For this reason, a new wave of home owned African jewelry houses are creating authentic, luxurious jewelry for customers all over the world. 

 Analysis: 

     I agree with how spreading awareness of the beauty and value of African gemstones is essential because the reason new home owning jewelry houses are being established is to credit the African traditions and raw materials that go into such luxurious jewelry. As current world-renowned jewelry houses have been sourced by Africa for diamonds and gemstones, some of these jewelry houses do not acknowledge the true beauty of African jewelry and Africa’s role in the jewelry industry. Africa should be honored and recognized for its raw material that contributes to such delicate jewelry pieces worn by people all over the world. This article made me realize that many jewelry pieces that I wear come from Africa’s raw materials which I never knew until now. I feel that many people do not give credit to Africa for such plentiful raw materials that contribute to the delicate and concise jewelry that is considered a luxury to many people. The new wave of fine jewelers helps spread the true African culture of jewelry all over the world to show others the beauty of the continent’s materials that make it unique from other continents. 

 Discussion question: What is the best way to spread awareness of the value and beauty of African gemstones?