Dazzling message to save the ocean
Jewellery championing the ocean. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara
Colombo Jewellery Stores celebrated the launch of ‘Ocean Blues’, their new jewellery collection and second major environmental campaign for the brand.
The campaign is in partnership with Sri Lanka’s first marine conservation research and education organisation Oceanswell, spearheaded by its founder- marine biologist, ocean educator, National Geographic Explorer and pioneer of blue whale research in the Northern Indian Ocean, Dr. Asha de Vos.
The launch was held at Galle Face Hotel on October 12 where guests were invited to view the exclusive collection, and to learn about the dire need for education and awareness of marine conservation efforts in Sri Lanka that led to this partnership between CJS and Oceanswell.
CEO of CJS Akram Cassim believes that we do not need to destroy our amazing biodiversity in order to develop the country. This is the principle that inspired Ocean Blues collection.
The collection seeks to capture the dynamic beauty of the ocean, through designs and patterns that evoke the sense of waves and sea shells, colours synonymous with the ocean using blue sapphires, aquamarines, and emerald cabochons, diamonds and pearls, as well as other multi-coloured gems.
For this campaign, CJS will collaborate with Oceanswell on three projects that focus on marine conservation research and education, keeping in line with Oceanswell’s own mission.
Asha de Vos and Akram Cassim at the launch
Dr. de Vos believes that Sri Lanka is full of people with the drive and talent to achieve great things in protecting their environment, but who have so far lacked the opportunity. She says that conservation is “1% about science and 99% about people”, which is why anyone can be a conservationist.
“I think if we want to save our oceans, every coastline needs a local hero. Those local heroes can come from absolutely everywhere, and we have to be open and inclusive in our efforts,” she says.
The collection is available at all CJS outlets. For more information on Oceanswell and their conservation and education projects, visit www.oceanswell.org