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The new Sapphire Ethical Symbol collection of Roc Majoral, which brings together the Fairmined gold and the natural sapphires of Wennick-Lefèvre, has insignia pieces that have presented a challenge when conceptualising and designing them. For their creator, Roc Majoral, returning to give protagonism to such special stones like sapphires without treatment has been a challenge. “The sapphires in this collection are not calibrated and, therefore, not all of them are the same size”, he states. We are speaking with him about the creative process of this new collection and the future challenges of the brand. Challenges that range from promoting the great artistic value of Majoral, and doing so by means of responsible jewellery.
- What was the creative process of Sapphire Ethical Symbol? What does this collection aim to transmit?
This collection begins with the stone. The whole collections is based on the gemstone. Of the need or desire to use these stones and how to set them, comes the idea of accompanying the gem in a very clean, rational and simple way. They are natural stones, without treatment, so they must take on all the protagonism, and it is worth showing the stone quite bare.
- Nature has always been a source of inspiration for Majoral. What can we learn from the natural world when making jewellery?
We always say the same and it counts for nearly all the collections: we base our ideas on the assimilation and reinterpretation of natural forms. This collection, which we could say is very raw, at first sight, seems to be rather distant from this concept, but its sinuous forms may be based on natural forms, so therefore the background is still present.
- The collection is designed with sapphires that possess the Wennick-Lefèvre certification. What does this certificate guarantee?
Wennick-Lefèvre is a private company that self-certifies that the stones it supplies come from mines where the workers are treated fairly; they are small mining communities located in very specific places. Moreover, they provide the total traceability and certify that the stones are not treated. Nevertheless, we should make it clear that this is a self-certification and not an audit by a third party. At Majoral we trust in Wennick-Lefèvre because it is a very small company. The project was initiated by a man who has a passion for travelling, discovering new places, going to the mine itself to buy the stones and dealing directly with the people who work there. Additionaly, the project aims to promote the local communities involved so that they can grow. So it is a wheel of business based on personal dealings that fit with Majoral’s way of doing things. Moreover, with the cutting of the stones the same is done with the extraction; Wennick-Lefèvre does not create stone-cutting workshops, but promotes the small workshops that do the cutting and therefore has a direct control.
- Majoral is committed to using raw materials that guarantee respect for the natural and social environment. Does the future of jewellery involve a greater commitment to the environment?
The future of jewellery goes beyond sustainability and must be committed to responsible jewellery. It must be responsible in all the ambits, from the environment, labour conditions, waste management and the business organisation itself. It is within this desire that the inclination arises to take care when choosing providers and the materials with which we work.
- How would you classify this collection? What makes it special among other pieces by Majoral?
The Sapphire Ethical Symbol collection stands out for returning protagonism to such special stones as sapphires without treatment. It is not common for us to create collections around a gem. We often do it with creation jewellery (unique pieces), but not so much with collections. That’s why this collection is exciting; because it represents a challenge and even more so on being stones as special as sapphires without treatment, which are all different. The sapphires of this collection are not calibrated stones and, therefore, they are not all the same size. This is a major challenge which is very exciting in itself. On the other hand, I find such pure and stylised forms particularly beautiful.
- Any future project? Challenges?
Regarding creation, the future project is trying not to lower the level, continue making special creations and innovating even more. It is also a challenge promoting the unique pieces of artistic worth. We make many collections, but we also want to balance things out a little with pieces that are surprising, with a high artistic level. This is the great challenge we have before us right now.
