Mixing her training in anthropology with her love of jewels and gems,
ethical jeweler Pippa Small creates pendants, charm bracelets, rings,
and earrings that benefit more than just the lucky wearer. Her
trademark colorful stones like turquoise, opals, pink tourmalines, and
moonstones, are set along gold or silver, and have a simple, but
striking quality that’s characteristic of timeless jewelry. Having
already collaborated with fashion houses like Gucci and Chloe, the
London-based Montreal-born designer has traveled to Africa, Panama, and
Bolivia, using her knowledge as a jeweler to help indigenous people
research their traditional designs and create jewelry as a means to
generate self sufficiency and income. On a recent trip to Afghanistan
Small collaborated with local artisans to make a collection based on
local materials to raise money for the Turquoise Mountain School for
Jewelry, which will provide Afghan men and women the opportunity to
train as designers.
-Jessalynn Keller