AYA x Gemfields exclusively for Walk for Giants
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Made from Gemfields’ Zambian emeralds, sourced near the Kabue River in northern Zambia, AYA’s Emerald Ear Jacket Earrings are timeless, unique and utterly versatile. With a nod to the style of Africa’s indigenous tribeswomen, their design was inspired by nature, by the dramatic beauty of the African landscape and by the wildlife that inhabits it. Their delicate nature mirrors the fragility of endangered African habitats today.
The use of emeralds was a considered choice by AYA, as this gemstone has long been associated with fertility and rebirth. The earrings can be worn as either a simple and beautiful stud or as an ear jacket, with the earring hanging perfectly just under the earlobe. Either way, they symbolise feminine elegance and beauty.
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They are crafted from 18k yellow gold with 5.16 carats of Gemfields emeralds.
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“I was raised in Zimbabwe and have always been immensely proud and protective of my African heritage,” says AYA’s founder Chelsy Davy. “I founded AYA out of a love for Africa and all the pieces in my collections have been inspired by its beauty: both in the land, its wildlife and its people. I am deeply honoured to be working with Gemfields and to be able to support such an amazing and important initiative as Walk for Giants in partnership with Space for Giants.”
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ABOUT WALK FOR GIANTS
On 17 August 2020, the international conservation charity, Space for Giants will release Walk for Giants in partnership with Gemfields. The fundraising and awareness-building campaign will kick off with the release of two exclusive capsule collections: a 44-piece collection from Gemfields, a world-leading supplier of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones; and a series of 15 sustainable collections from NET-A-PORTER, the world’s leading online luxury fashion retailer. Proceeds from these capsule collections will bring critical support to protect Africa’s elephants and their natural habitat. Space for Giants is committed to securing the ecological and economic value that nature conservation offers. Especially in this time of crisis, when travel and tourism are impacted, wildlife and natural habitats are even more vulnerable to exploitation. Both capsules are showcased in a series of stunning images, made possible by the support of Gemfields.
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The Walk for Giants Campaign was shot by Francesco Carrozzini, with creative direction by Riccardo Ruini, featuring models Arizona Muse and Selena Forrest at Enasoit Game Sanctuary in Laikipia, Kenya.
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ABOUT SPACE FOR GIANTS
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Space for Giants is an international conservation charity that protects Africa’s elephants and their landscapes while demonstrating the ecological and economic value both can bring. It uses science and best practice to deliver conservation investment initiatives to attract new funding for under-resourced protected areas. It works with national authorities to strengthen legal action to fight wildlife crime and protect animals in the wild. It uses technology it pioneered itself to reduce human-elephant conflict, and works with a wide range of individuals, including academics, journalists, celebrities, philanthropists, and sports people, to bring new supporters to its cause. It is headquartered in Kenya, works in eight countries in Africa, and is registered as a charity in the UK and as a non-profit in the US. Learn more at www.spaceforgiants.org
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GEMFIELDS
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Gemfields is a world-leading supplier of responsibly sourced coloured gemstones. The operator and 75% owner of both theKagem emerald mine in Zambia (believed to be the world’s single largest producing emerald mine) and the Montepuez rubymine in Mozambique (one of the most significant recently discovered ruby deposits in the world), Gemfields believes that those who mine gemstones should do so with transparency, legitimacy and integrity.
Gemfields introduced the most technologically advanced coloured gemstone sort house in the world at its operation in Mozambique, with state-of-the-art equipment, like optical sorting machines. In addition, a proprietary grading system, a pioneering auction platform and an active marketing presence have all contributed to Gemfields playing a significant role in the rise of African gemstones. Underlying this achievement has been the strong belief that coloured gemstones should create apositive impact for the country and community from which they originate.
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Responsible sourcing for Gemfields means implementing industry-leading policies and practices across operations, transparency in its auction sales process, an active role in working groups to modernise the sector, projects to improve health, education and livelihoods for the communities around its mines and conservation efforts (#conservationgemstones) to protect Africa’s great wildlife and biodiversity.
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As well as supplying the majority of the world’s rough rubies and emeralds, Gemfields initiates activations to build desire for coloured gemstones: for example, collaborations with international jewellery brands and other creative partners. Often surprising, unexpected and unique, these collaborations are chosen to promote consumer awareness and increase the appeal ofcoloured gemstones, raising their profile, and, in turn, providing greater benefit to their place of origin in Africa.
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