With its Asian Heritage Hope bracelet, Paris Jewellers is paying tribute to family, their Vietnamese heritage, and the belief that people can stand up collectively to support equity, justice, and the contributions of the Asian community worldwide.
The Edmonton, Alberta, jewelry company created the limited-edition bracelet from two of its popular styles: a freshwater pearl bracelet and the Layla paper-clip chain. The Asian Heritage Hope bracelet combines two different looks in one unique, on-trend piece, says Chau Lui, co-owner of Paris Jewellers.
Paris Jewellers will donate 100% of the net proceeds from the bracelet to the Asian Solidarity Fund and Stop AAPI Hate, two nonprofits fighting intolerance, prejudice, and injustice. (The Asian Solidarity Fund is Canadian; Stop AAPI Hate is based in the States.)
“Jewelry holds a moment in time,” ” Lui says. “It makes us feel or remember something every time you put it on. Our hope is that this bracelet lets people feel beautiful but also that they’ve had an impact and they’ve made a difference.”
Asian Heritage Hope debuts online May 12. Paris Jewellers focuses on May for the introduction, as it is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. The company has raised more than $20,000 for nonprofit organizations on previous fund-raising jewelry projects, Lui says.
After Lui’s mom, Thu Luong, immigrated to Canada from Vietnam, one of her first jobs in her new country was as a goldsmith, and she had to use a Vietnamese-English dictionary to communicate with customers. The family opened its first jewelry store in 1987, and the company is now co-owned by Lui and her sister, Trang Wong.
“If my mom could overcome those kinds of challenges in terms of language and learning a new culture, we know as a family we can overcome anything,” Lui says.
The Heritage Hope bracelet’s pearls represent Thu, who loves that gem, as well as Lui’s daughter Asla, who has a birthday in June (pearl is June’s birthstone). The paper-clip chain is named after Lui’s other daughter, Layla, so the final piece blends two generations.
“We love the style. It’s timeless turned trendy,” Lui says. “We are mindful of creating jewelry that you can wear every single day, whether you want to dress up or dress down.… The pearl and the paper-clip chain could not be more different, but they come together so beautifully.”
Top: As part of its fund-raising jewelry collection, Paris Jewellers is debuting the Asian Heritage Hope bracelet on May 12. Money raised from its sale will go to groups that support Asian Americans and Canadians. (Photos courtesy of Paris Jewellers)
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