Pure Earth’s Pure Gold Jewelry Auction, open through November 3rd, features beautiful pieces from 24 renowned jewelry designers who care deeply about sourcing materials that make a positive impact on people and the planet.
The gold used in the auction pieces was mined by AMATAF, a network of legal artisanal miners in Madre de Dios, Peru, who have worked with Pure Earth since 2019 to eliminate mercury from their mining practices, reforest land degraded by mining, and build supply chains that value these commitments. AMATAF miners, including Vilma, Evelyn, Hugo, and Luis, are dedicated to their livelihood being one which successfully supports their family while also protecting the Peruvian rainforest and the health of their community. Knowing the names and stories of the miners behind your jewelry is one important way for jewelers and consumers to be part of this mine-to-market solution.
AMATAF miners in Madre de Dios, Peru.
A highlight of the collection is a pendant necklace designed by Nathalie Kelley—Pure Earth’s newest Leadership Council Member, known for her acting roles in Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift and The Vampire Diaries—in collaboration with Peruvian jewelry designer Andrea José.
Actress and activist, Nathalie Kelley, modeling jewelry by Andrea Jose (Necklace); Brilliant Earth (Ring); Christina Malle Jewelry (Earrings); Dana Bronfman (Earrings). Photo by Pablo Costanzo.
The exquisite necklace features a jaguar-shaped pendant and is crafted in 18k mercury-free gold. It features an Umba Sapphire from Anza Gems and 2 yellow recycled sapphires from Perpetuum Jewels. The colors of the stones depict the Amazonian sunrise, and the jaguar is a powerful symbol of nature, harmony, and the resilience of the Peruvian Amazon.
Pure Earth has been working to address mercury pollution from artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) in the Peruvian Amazon since 2014. Over the past few decades, artisanal and small-scale gold mining in Madre de Dios, Peru has released over 3000 tons of mercury into the environment, causing adverse health and environmental impacts to the surrounding communities.
Mercury is a toxic heavy metal and one of the top ten chemicals of major public health concern according to the World Health Organization. The leading source of global mercury pollution is artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). This sector produces about 12 to 15% of the world’s gold. Since 2016, Pure Earth’s Pure Gold Jewelry Auction has highlighted mine-to-market solutions by bringing together responsible jewelry designers and industry partners committed to reducing the global impact of mercury pollution from gold mining.
Funds raised from the auction support Pure Earth’s pollution cleanup efforts around the world, including working directly with artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) communities to help them mine without mercury and restore land stripped by mining in the Amazon rainforest.
Participating 2025 jewelers include: Andrea Jose, Andrea Lucille Pooler, AniFineJewelry, BARBOSA, Bliss Lau, Brilliant Earth, Christina Malle Jewelry, Dana Bronfman, Delphine Leymarie, Donna Distefano, EFG Designs, Emily Chelsea Jewelry, FUTURA, LOLiDE, MERZATTA, Mociun, Sandrine B. Jewelry, Scosha, Steven Jacob, Truss and Ore, TOBY POMEROY, Vale Jewelry, WEND, and W.R. Metalarts.
We are deeply grateful to our participating jewelers, to Hoover & Strong for generously donating the AMATAF gold, and to Perpetuum Jewels for providing responsibly recycled diamonds and gemstones for the 2025 designers.
The auction opens online October 22, 2025 and closes on November 3rd at Pure Earth’s Benefit at the Current in New York City, where guests will be able to bid in-person.
Learn more about the auction here: https://www.pureearth.org/pure-earth-pure-gold-jewelry-collection-and-auction/
Bid online to support gold mined without mercury now: https://live.classy.org/auction/pebenefit2025/f446232a-0796-4537-8729-4118d82f6662
