Pippa Small Celebrates Colombia Gold Collection on Earth Day

By Karen Dybis | April 22, 2025

For Earth Day, Pippa Small debuted her second “eco-clean” jewelry collection—one that is based in sustainable craftsmanship and honors Colombia’s cultural heritage and the unique flora of Chocó, in the country’s Pacific region.

Chocó Jungle, the latest addition to Small’s Colombia line, supports an association of women in Chocó who practice small-scale mining with zero pollution. Chocó Jungle pieces, made from clean-panned gold, are priced from $840 to $19,010.

The new collection continues Small’s efforts as a jewelry designer devoted to what she calls ethical luxury—which involves sustainable materials and traditional artistry and seeks to have a positive impact in mining regions, she says.

Choco Jungle heart — *Colombia: Chocó Jungle necklace with 18k gold heart leaf in zigzag filigree, $4,950*

“Supporting sustainable practices isn’t just about materials—it’s about people, the planet, and creating a more ethical future for the industry,” says Small. “Now more than ever, this commitment matters.

“As climate issues become increasingly urgent, we must talk openly about sourcing—ensuring consumers understand the difference between fair trade and mined sourced gold,” she says. “It’s also vital to recognize and protect traditional handcraft skills and techniques. These cultural practices are a form of human diversity that deserve preservation every bit as much as our biodiversity.”

Small learned about the women miners in Chocó through Colombian clean gold activist Ana Maria Sierra, whom Small met via the Alliance for Responsible Mining. She traveled to the area in 2022 and was deeply moved by the relationship the local Afro-Colombian community has with gold. Small-scale clean gold mining is the foundation of the local economy, supporting everything from small businesses to education.

Choco Jungle bracelet — *Pippa Small’s new collection features this bracelet with a 18k gold filigree leaf on a Chinesca chain, $8,040.*

“It is central to every aspect of their lives—symbolically, economically, and historically,” Small says. “Symbolically, gold plays a role in every rite of passage. Historically, it carries a painful legacy, as many of their ancestors were brought from West Africa and forced to work in the region’s gold mines as slaves.”

The women who mine using this carbon-neutral method lift gravel from the river in traditional wooden pans and separate the gold without chemicals, machinery, or environmental damage.

“What struck me most was the community’s inherently sustainable approach to mining. They pan for gold with the intention of preserving the river’s resources so that future generations—especially their grandchildren—can continue to benefit,” says Small.

“Their practice reflects a deep respect for nature and a belief in intergenerational equity, ensuring that gold remains a source of dignity and livelihood, not depletion, and a valued source of income to pay for necessities like health and education,” she adds.

Small is committed to these types of mining practices because she has seen firsthand how positively they can affect people’s lives and communities.

Pippa Leaf Choco — *18k gold zigzag filigree leaf pendant on a cord, $1,580*

“I’ve been fortunate to visit small-scale gold mines that follow fair trade standards in Bolivia and Colombia, as well as those that don’t, such as illegal operations in Uganda and Myanmar,” Small says. “The contrast is stark. Mining leads to devastating consequences—mercury poisoning, water pollution, deforestation, the loss of wildlife habitats, and the exploitation of miners.”

Because fine jewelry becomes heirlooms, it behooves the industry and brands to do everything they can to be environmentally accountable.

“Large-scale—and increasingly, due to the rising cost of gold, illegal—gold mining can leave devastating environmental damage in its wake,” says Small. “Jewelry may not be essential to survival, but it brings beauty, emotional resonance, and holds a deep place in human culture.

“As makers of these earth-born talismans that accompany us on life’s journey, we have a responsibility to ensure they are created with as little harm as possible.”

Top: The Chocó Jungle collection that Pippa Small Jewellery introduced on Earth Day includes these 18k Colombia gold filigree multi-leaf earrings, $12,000. (Photos courtesy of Pippa Small Jewellery)