You don’t have to be familiar with Jane Goodall’s groundbreaking work with chimpanzees—and her heroic legacy as a conservationist—to surmise that she’s not exactly the Bulgari type.
But if you saw her on the Sept. 25 episode of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, you would have noticed her beguiling gold and diamond pendant. Worn with a gorgeous blue turtleneck sweater and a vibrant turquoise shawl, the necklace was not an exotic treasure procured from Goodall’s many adventures in Africa and beyond, but the result of her new collaboration with Brilliant Earth.
The omnichannel diamond brand known for its ethical sourcing introduced the Jane Goodall Collection last week, as part of a new campaign titled “Rethink Everything You Know About Diamonds.”
While Goodall and Brilliant Earth are simpatico in their regard for the environment, a project that centers glamorous diamond jewelry might seem a smidge out of the celebrated primatologist’s comfort zone.
Yet she would disagree.
“I was inspired by the way Brilliant Earth is transforming the jewelry industry,” Goodall tells JCK. “The partnership originated based on our shared commitment of sustainability, impact, conservation, promoting ethical practices, and giving back. Their values align well with my own, and I knew that together we could create something beautiful that would also make a positive difference.”
The collection comprises earrings, a cuff, rings, and versions of the leaf necklace she wore on Colbert. “Each piece is a symbol of our connection to the natural world and a reminder of the impact we can make through conscious choices,” she says.
Goodall’s Brilliant Earth jewelry is made with lab-grown diamonds, in 14k or 18k gold, and incorporates a botanical motif with significance to Goodall—and to many other people worldwide. “The collection is inspired by the lush banana leaf and the beauty of my beloved Tanzania, where I conducted my research on chimpanzees and where my institute continues its conservation efforts,” she explains.
“The banana leaf is a crucial part of daily life for communities around the globe, used for many different purposes, from preparing and preserving food, as a fertilizer for nutrient-rich soil, and even for thatching roofs in tropical areas.”
“We were very careful in our choices for the materials used to create this collection,” Goodall adds. “The recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds symbolize our responsibility to protect our planet.”
In a statement announcing the collaboration, Brilliant Earth cofounder and CEO Beth Gerstein said, “Brilliant Earth was founded almost 20 years ago with the aim of paving the way for ethical and sustainable jewelry. Since then, we’ve challenged many to look at the choices they make. Partnering with Dr. Jane Goodall to launch the Jane Goodall Collection was a natural fit. Her lifelong work in conservation and her continued dedication through the Jane Goodall Institute are just some of the examples of how she is inspiring future generations.”
Adds Goodall, “I hope the collection inspires people to appreciate the beauty of the planet and take action to protect it.”
The Jane Goodall Collection is available online and in Brilliant Earth’s 40 showrooms nationwide; 10% of the proceeds will benefit the Jane Goodall Institute, which funds work to protect and restore critical habitats, supports the health and education of women and girls, cultivates local livelihoods, and seeks to mobilize the next generation of environmental leaders.
Top: Jane Goodall, 90, in diamond jewelry by Brilliant Earth
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