WESTERN BUREAU:

On Tuesday evening, Jamaican duty-free retailer Jewels and Time launched its new John Hardy jewellery collection to the Montego Bay business community at Shoppes at Rose Hall.

Anxious to get a sneak preview of the traditional Indonesian-inspired metalworking techniques and their links to the natural world, The Gleaner's Lifestyle team invaded Shoppes at Rose Hall on the eve of the launch, where event planner, Joan Lee, celebrity photographer, Suki Kapahi and project manager, Gail Moe were engrossed in the handcrafted Balinesian designs.

But what makes John Hardy jewellery one of the most sought after in the world?

Leader in environmental responsibility

The company is a leader in environmental responsibility and was one of the first to introduce a carbon offset programme in support of a sustained environment. It plants bamboo to offset the materials and power used in producing its marketing materials, while regularly auditing its entire supply chain in order to reduce its impact on the natural environment.

The jeweller's ecologically friendly profile and its unique designs have earned it many fans around the world, among them duty-free visitors to Jamaica. According to Prem Mahtani, a director of Jewels and Time, "Hardy's natural world designs, traditional metalworking techniques and environmental conservancy programmes make the jewellery uniquely attractive. We wanted to take this opportunity of launching the new collection to our business partners in the hotel and tourist sectors to also draw attention to the new duty-free environment of Shoppes at Rose Hall. In addition, we wanted to invite some friends who feel as we do that supporting of environmental conservancy programmes is a positive benefit."

Jewels and Time began its relationship with John Hardy in 1997 when it became the first retailer in the Caribbean to offer a small collection of the jewellery for sale at its Ocho Rios store. Today, the retailer offers for sale the largest collection of John Hardy pieces in the Caribbean.

NAGA DRAGON collection

Featured in the pictures are pieces from the new Naga Dragon collection and the Dot, Pave and Palu collections.

The Naga is the cosmic dragon found in ancient cultures throughout the world and symbolising the life force that brings health and prosperity. Rhythmic patterns in sterling silver and 18K gold are inspired by the dragon's coat of mail, in a rich texture of contrasting motifs in solid and open grille work.

Janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

New friends, Leeanne Gourzong (left), wife of Johnny Gourzong, director of Summerfest Productions, and Ruth Hertel, a retired teacher from St Louis, USA, compare bracelets. - Photo by Noel Thompson

Tessa Edwards (left) seems to have drawn some attention wearing this John Hardy diamond laced-necklace, at the cocktail party, held at Jewels and Time, The Shoppes in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, Tuesday evening. Looking on are Sam James Jr, Nina Pfab (second right) and Khian Hendriks, James' sister. - Photo by Noel Thompson

Marlene Lampart-Murray, a banker, gets an insight on fine jewellery crafted John Hardy jewellery from Sanja Arjundas, while Stephanie Trent, the John Hardy representative in the Caribbean, looks on. - Photo by Noel Thompson

Businesswoman and teacher, Judy Wood (left), assisted by Tessa Edwards, samples a John Hardy diamond-laced sterling silver necklace. - Photo by Noel Thompson

Left: Event planner Joan Lee shows off the John Hardy Dot collection, at Jewel and Times, at the Shoppes at Rose Hall in Montego Bay. Right: Montego Bay's renowned photographer, Suki Kapahi, looks smashing in Palu earrings and matching necklace from Jewel and Times, at Shoppes at Rose Hall. - Photo by Janet Silvera