Jewelry Inspired by the Colors of the Rain Forest.
Part of our proceeds go to help the Maleku Tribe in the North side of Costa Rica.
Designs by Ileana Rojas-Bennett, this enchanting line of original handcrafted jewelry is inspired by the vast kaleidoscope of colors and textures found in the rain forests of Rojas-Bennett’s native country of Costa Rica.
“I was fortunate enough to grow up in the home of an outstanding artist. In fact my most basic childhood memory is one of my mother’s portraits and sculptures. After completing a master’s degree in education I moved to the United States and decided to pursue my passion for art. Beginning with stained glass, I created many eye-catching pieces before I learned to fuse glass, making dichroic glass pendants, rings and earring sets. I quickly realized the colors that were being created in my kilns were reminiscent of the vast kaleidoscope of colors I knew as a little girl in my native country. With this inspiration it was then that I decided to exclusively create jewelry with fashion, glamour, and the modern woman in mind and Maleku Jewelry Designs was born.
I now work with sterling and fine silver, 14, 22, and 24 K gold and semi precious stones such as blue Persian turquoise, black onyx, smoky quartz, jasper, astrophyllite, eudialyte and labradorite among others. I also particularly use freshwater pearls, corals, abalone, mother-of-pearl and others beauty from the depths of the sea. My beads are seed beads, handmade glass beads, and other trade beads that are beauties from the generations of many cultures. And don’t forget the world-famous Swarovski crystals from the Czech Republic which make every piece a treasure.”
