The Soul’s Journey according to Susana Grau Batlle
Rare stones are the symbol of a solid ethical commitment in Susana Grau Batlle’s work, a designer who bases her art on the profound connection between nature and jewelry
Before entering the jewelry world three years ago, Susana Grau Batlle spent years in contexts of war, humanitarian crises and development projects in Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. The experience has inevitably influenced her way of creating, which has little to do with the superfluous and a lot to do with the essential. Susana's jewelry is the result of profound reflection on materials, the origin of gems, the responsibility of the creator.
«Sustainability is not just about the environment or workers’ rights,» she explains. «It is a broader concept, which concerns ethics as a whole. It means minimizing the negative social and environmental impacts and maximizing the positive ones. It's not easy, but in this industry, sourcing is everything.»
A Trilogy of Evolution, her second collection, is tangible proof of these statements.
«For me, this collection represents the purity, brilliance and potential of the soul's journey,» says Susana. «I hope my jewelry relates to others and inspires a deeper connec- tion with the essence of being and of life itself.»
The highlight of the collection is a ring displaying a central Brazilian Paraiba with neon reflections in its purest version: a raw earth fragment, still embedded in its quartz matrix, bearing the memory of its origin. «I have tried to portray the wild power of the Earth's natural beauty.» In the designer’s opinion, every stone «has its own unique energy and history.»
Susana only works with associations that adhere to strict ethical standards, such as those of the American Gem Trade Association and the Responsible Jewelry Council. Where certification fails, personal research comes in: dialogue with suppliers, requests for guarantees, attempts to push the system one step further. Because relying on certifications alone is not enough and sustainability must be a road towards constant improvement.
Added to this is solid commitment: a portion of sales goes to the Earth Fund, an initiative that supports envi- ronmental conservation and empowerment projects. The first contribution went to Moyo Gems, a program in East Africa that helps female miners to work in safe conditions, improve their economic stability and access fair markets.
Just the beginning of a journey made up of beauty and awareness, aesthetic and ethical values, based on the conviction that every gesture, even the smallest, can make a difference.
Dangle earrings with Peruvian pink opals, pink agate and orange sapphires
