I'm from St. Louis and travel back to Colombia, South America to visit my extended family. Speaking spanish and staying in the remote ultra-green farm country of central Colombia has been my normal. Even as a kid, at the end of my trips I'd come home with handmade purses, belts and jewelry from artisans. It planted a deep appreciation for handcrafted accessories, nature, cultures and a love of travel.

I witnessed the birth of a piece of jewelry—a transformation from raw materials to a work of wearable art.

This process inspired me, and it continues to shape who I am today.

I earned a design degree, and worked as a designer in the jewelry fast fashion industry. Well into my career, I travelled overseas and came to discover that much of the jewelry metal and gem mining industry treats the earth and it's people poorly.

While not all jewelry factories fall into this category, the prevalence of such practices was disappointing. It's unfair and didn't sit well with me so I know it wouldn't for you either. I wanted to do things differently...