The Reciprocity Jewels exhibition, part of NYC Jewelry Week, will return from November 19-21, 2024, at Berimbau Midtown in New York City.
This year’s event focuses on ethical sourcing and sustainability, showcasing designs created in collaboration with artisanal miners from Peru’s Madre de Dios region in the Amazon.
Featuring over 20 international jewelry designers, the exhibition aims to spotlight the importance of transparency and accountability in the jewelry supply chain. Each showcased piece incorporates gold directly traceable to the miners who produced it. The miners, recognised for their mercury-free techniques and reforestation initiatives, have achieved Fairmined certification, a globally respected standard for ethical mining practices.
“Geographically isolated miners are vital to a responsible supply chain,” said Reciprocity co-founder and designer Delphine Leymarie. “If we fail to invest in them, they’re forced to resort to unsustainable methods just to get by. By working together, we’re not only supporting their livelihoods but also creating solutions to deforestation and transforming the jewelry supply chain into one that truly benefits everyone.”
Exhibition Details and Key Events
The event opens on November 19 at 2:00 PM at Berimbau Midtown, located at 3 West 36th Street, New York, NY. Highlights include a panel discussion at 4:30 PM, titled “From Drops to Rivers of Change: The Power of Collaboration in Responsible Sourcing.” Moderated by Elyssa Jenkins-Pérez, Head of North American Development at the Responsible Jewelry Council, the panel will include:
- Caroline Baylor, Program Manager at Pure Earth
- Cristina Villegas, Director of Sustainable Markets for PACT
- Jennifer Gandia, Co-owner of Greenwich St. Jewelers
- Dana Bronfman, Jewelry Designer and Reciprocity Co-Founder
Bronfman emphasized the importance of collaboration in fostering sustainability and improving livelihoods in artisanal mining communities.
A private reception will follow the panel from 5:30-8:30 PM, featuring a Peruvian-inspired menu by Chef Victor Vasconcelos and Pisco Cocktails by Tabernero.
On November 20 and 21, the exhibition will be open to the public from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM. On November 21, a special event titled “Weaving Reciprocity: Solutions from the Amazon for a Better Future” will include a panel discussion featuring conservation and sustainability leaders, followed by a networking session.
“Sometimes we feel powerless to create impact, like we are only a drop in the ocean. But when we collaborate, we create rivers of change that keep flowing and become oceans” states Dana Bronfman. “Reflecting on growth in the responsible jewelry movement, we’re inspired by how these combined efforts have made a lasting impact, including transformation within the miners of Madre de Dios. This panel will explore the evolution of responsible jewelry from risk avoidance to transformative models that bring dignity and sustainability at every level, and how collaboration can continue to drive positive change across the industry.”
Supporting Ethical Practices
A portion of the proceeds will benefit Pure Earth, a nonprofit promoting sustainable mining practices. The Wyss Academy for Nature, a lead sponsor, collaborates with local communities in the Amazon to support conservation and sustainable practices, including a bio-jewelry initiative with traditional and natural materials.
