The natural wonders of Brazil, our home country, are one of the main inspirations in our designs. Growing up surrounded by fascinating landscapes, intoxicating smells, and exotic textures and colors, drives us to celebrate this natural side of Brazil in the design of our jewelry. As we carry-on our “eco-consciousness” throughout every step of our business, working with materials that are extracted from nature are a main concern of ours. With that in mind, Nugaard Designs only uses materials that are extracted from nature in ways that do not harm the environment. All of the extraction activities (for each material we use) are closely monitored by local environmental agencies in Brazil, and many of the suppliers are also certified “eco-friendly” merchants. Here is a little more info on some of the natural materials found in our line, so you too can share our passion for Brazil’s amazing natural materials:
Golden Grass from the Northwest of Brazil… The Golden Grass used in our CAMPO collection is an exquisite type of natural grass, which grows only in the northwest of Brazil, and can only be picked once a year. This natural material is one of the main sources of income for local communities in the area, where inhabitants have become artisans by applying weaving techniques that are passed from generation to generation creating decorative ornaments using the grass. The golden grass pieces used in our CAMPO collection are all designed by us, then made exclusively for us by local artisans in Brazil, sent to us, where we produce all our pieces here in Miami, Florida.
Real leaves dipped in precious metals…. As we celebrate nature in our designs, the pieces in our FLORA collection are all made with real leaves from Brazilian trees, dehydrated and dipped in precious metals - 18K gold and sterling silver. The leaves come from different exotic trees that we find in Brazil. Each leaf is carefully dehydrated, and receives an 18-dip treatment that turns the surface into precious metal for use in our jewelry. Our leaves are prepared exclusively for Nugaard Designs in Brazil, and imported to the U.S. where we produce all our pieces, by hand, at our studio in Miami, Florida. And, best of all - for every leaf piece sold from the FLORA collection, Nugaard Designs donates a tree to be planted by “Trees for the Future” somewhere in the world.