The Subversive Circularity by Oushaba

The 22-carat gold necklace embellished with a tumbled emerald drop attached to a disused mobile phone charger plug, is called Memento. A symbolic and “disruptive” item of jewelry belonging to the Connection Salvaged collection recently launched by the up-and-coming brand Oushaba. With a name that means “alloy” in Arabic - indicating a cultural fusion of ideas and influences - the brand was founded in London in 2023 with the aim of giving discarded technological materials a noble new life to and promoting craftsmanship. «We aim to rethink and reshape a more beautiful and meaningful tomorrow. We see opportunity where others see waste. We break the rules and follow our passions, sharing the joy of new life and renewed purpose for the benefit of all,» says Gillian Carr, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Oushaba. Subversive, artistic and avant-garde, the collection features 38 pieces in which fragments of electronic waste are creatively combined with 22 carat yellow gold, 18 carat white gold and silver, all recycled, and sustainably sourced diamonds, rubies, emeralds and sapphires. Mobile phone circuit AWARENESS Subversive Circularity Like archaeological artefacts from the future, the jewelry created by Oushaba challenges preconceived notions of preciousness, renewing the value of connections established and nurtured by modern technology — by ANTONELLA REINA boards, charging cables, USB sticks and plugs are transformed into decorative elements for rings, necklaces, earrings, cuffs and cufflinks, displaying a unisex design inspired by archaeological treasures. «One of our guiding principles is to see the extraordinary within the ordinary. During the 2020 lock-down, when Oushaba was taking shape in our minds, we relied on technology to keep in touch with our loved ones. But we update our phones on average every 18 months and 80% of electronic waste is not properly recycled, so it ends up in landfills. There are many beautiful elements found within electronics - including gold, but also jewel-like colors and interesting details in circuits and electrical components. We wanted to challenge people's ideas about materials that are considered as waste,» Carr continues. The limited-edition pieces are handmade by Sicilian goldsmiths, combining traditional lost-wax casting techniques with modern materials that are not generally thought of as valuable: a vision that challenges preconceived notions of preciousness, while providing a solution to the growing environmental concern over e-waste