Jamie Dunton and Gabriella Botelho are the first graduates of the program, created by the WJA Foundation and Julius Klein Diamonds.
Muzo Emerald Colombia Debuts E-Commerce, New Collection
It’s the famed emerald miner’s first entirely shoppable website.
In recent years, Muzo’s wide-ranging partnerships with some of contemporary jewelry’s most compelling design talents has helped establish it as a brand in its own right.
Now, consumers can shop those collaborations and Muzo’s own in-house creations on its new e-commerce website.
On Muzo.co, shoppers can peruse one-of-a-kind jewels from designers like Ara Vartanian, Colette, Coomi, Daniela Villegas, Harwell Godfrey, Michelle Fantaci, Noor Fares, Selim Mouzannar, Silvia Furmanovich, and Wilfredo Rosado, among many others.
They can also shop a special “Green Jewel” high jewelry collection created in collaboration with the Argyle mine’s famed pink diamonds, as well as the “Heritage Collection,” introduced two years ago and featuring cabochon emeralds and emerald slices.
There is also a new jewelry collection for emerald lovers to add to the site’s virtual shopping cart: a line of faceted emerald and diamond jewelry called “Nova” that embodies traditional elegance.
Many earrings call on a traditional floral motif, with dramatic drop styles bringing to mind a luxurious springtime bouquet.
Muzo enlisted model Alana Tapigliani to star in a campaign showcasing the elegant “Nova” assortment, noting her Latin American heritage made her an ideal brand representative.
The new Muzo site has an emphasis on education, with information and videos outlining everything from emeralds’ complicated history as different groups grasped for power in Colombia over centuries to the art of polishing the stones and how Muzo’s operations give back to local communities today.
As part of Muzo’s “May Emerald Month” initiative, the miner is driving awareness of its Muzo Foundation, which assists many residents of the Western Boyacá region by funding early childhood education, training schools, higher education scholarships, community dining for the elderly, farms for families, and cocoa crops.
The foundation also supports local grassroots organizations and assists local leaders in shaping their towns and region.
A portion of proceeds from Muzo’s designer collaboration jewelry benefits the foundation and its many projects.
“Transparency and philanthropy are at the core of our business, and we are thrilled to have created new channels to help drive awareness of these efforts,” noted Muzo Head of Business Development Gabbi Harvey.
“Despite a challenging year, we have remained committed to giving back to the local environment and people; we recognize that there would be no Muzo without Colombia and our incredible mining community.”
Not content with just a new e-commercite site, new collection, and renewed commitment to its philanthropic endeavors, Muzo will also showcase a new collaboration during emerald month with Colombian designer and tastemaker Mercedes Salazar.
Salazar and Muzo have collaborated in the past as part of the Muzo designer series and will now embark on more creations together, with a portion of proceeds benefitting The Muzo Foundation.
“For me, it’s important to give back because it is the only way to understand that we are one, that we are not alone,” Salazar said. “We weave a life together. Knowledge, wealth, happiness, and peace should be always shared.”
The forthcoming nine-piece collection is handcrafted in Colombia and made of woven raffia with gold thread and Muzo emeralds. The fashion jewelry collection will start at $120.
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