Dara Gerson & Ashley Lowengrub found their way to creating jewelry that is both beautiful & socially responsible because of their love of mother nature and the amazing planet we live on. Drawing inspiration and motivation from their daily lives, their love for culture and the planet as well as their strong beliefs todo no harm, Dara and Ashley Lowengrub are true pioneers.

Prior to starting Alkemie, each had successful jewelry lines working with traditional metals. Years of experience in the jewelry industry had made Dara and Ashley weary of the toxic working conditions and environmental impacts of the gem and fine metal industries- until one day they decided it was something they could no longer continue to support. After learning more about the harmful social and environmental effects of mining, they sought out local eco-friendly materials.

Thus Alkemie Jewelry was born- a brand that would immediately pioneer and change the jewelry industry with its social and environmentally responsible practices. Alkemie Jewelry has earned a devoted international following based not only on the originality of their designs, but their leadership as a socially and environmentally progressive company. All designs are made of 100% reclaimed metal & manufactured by hand in downtown Los Angeles, California.

From an early age, Dara loved the process of handcrafting designs and found (and continues to find) passion and drive from offering her gift, “The satisfaction and true pleasure I feel from creating unique pieces and seeing the impact it has on our clients has continued to really fuel my creative energy as a designer”.

Dara’s jewelry career first debuted 8 years ago at Barney’s and Neiman Marcus with her highly-successful Dara collection. Dara Jewelry sold for five years on the ground floor of Barney’s as well as 500 of the world’s top boutiques, received over 150 pages of international press, and received world wide accreditation and acknowledgment.

Paralleling Dara’s passion for design at an early age, Ashley grew up in a household where art and talent met: Ashley’s mother is renown Israeli artist Ilana Goor, who’s talents have spanned the realms of sculpture, furniture, lighting, clothing and jewelry design. Recognized as a “Living Legend” the Tel AvivMuseum just recently had a twenty-year retrospective in her honor. Ashley reflects on one of his childhood inspirations, “Growing up with her unique artistic point of view inspired me to design and create, as well”.

In 2000, Ashley designed his first jewelry collection combining sculptural and organic elements inspired by his mother. Ashley’s previous jewelry line went on to sell in over 500 fine stores domestically and internationally. Receiving worldwide accreditation and acknowledgment.

Alkemie promotes fair trade, local living wage and eco-sustainable business practices to combat the existing harmful effects and conditions of the metal and gemstone industry; including social issues such as children working in dangerous conditions to mine and mount stones, as well as environmental issues, like toxic chemicals from mines seeping into the surrounding land and severely damaging precious watersheds.

Dara and Ashley’s motivation to live environmentally and socially conscious really comes from exemplifying responsibility to their daughters. One of the major motivations of Alkemie Jewelry is to present an example for future generations.

All of Alkemie Pieces are made from 100% reclaimed metals.  Handmade in Los Angeles.  Leather comes from sustainable cattle farmers and is dyed with earth friendly dye.

 

Charity

At Alkemie we believe an integral part of being a sustainable company is supporting practices and causes you believe in.  By purchasing a piece of Alkemie Jewelry you will be a part of this charitable action.  Each month we will donate a portion of of our on line sales to a charity we believe in.   Here are some of the ones we are choosing to feature. 

This month we will donate 5% of our retail sales to these charities.

Seva Foundation, is a Berkeley based non-profit organization founded by Wavy Gravy, Ram Dass, Larry Brilliant and a group of renowned public health experts. With programs in nine countries and the United States, Seva provides financial resources and technical expertise to help communities build sustainable solutions to poverty and disease.  With an emphasis on curable and preventable blindness, Seva-supported programs have restored sight to more than 3 million people in Asia and Africa.  In the U.S. Seva works with Native American communities on the prevention of diabetes and other chronic health issues