New jewellery collection for the RSCN designed by Nadia Dajani in cooperation with local communities

Introducing the beginning of a collaboration between Jordanian jewellery designer Nadia Dajani and the Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature RSCN, the launch of the first collection of a series entitled "Nature Adorned" for the winter of 2007/2008 on Tuesday December 4th was held at Wild Jordan Nature Center, located in the historic neighborhood of Jabal Amman.

For this project the RSCN collaborated with Nadia Dajani to produce a jewellery collection inspired by the flora and fauna of the protected nature reserve of Wadi Dana and Wadi Mujeib. The jewellery, made predominantly using silver, as well as copper, and in addition stones from the area, was entirely made on location in Wadi Dana and Wadi Mujib by women from the local communities.

In the spirit of sustainable development that characterizes the work of the RSCN, skilled artisans trained in jewellery making since the inception of the silver workshops in these protected areas were responsible for manufacturing all the work. Supervised by Nadia Dajani, the spirit of the special design was introduced to the artisans who were inspired not only to producing work, but also to add their own individual artistic input into each item in order to create works of art.

All the designs are individually handmade, and the collection features a wide range of ready to wear pieces, but there is also a collection of unique pieces, distinguished by the leaves and plant life characteristic of Jordan, especially the conservation areas.

This cooperation combined Dajani's contemporary look for jewellery, alongside the motifs that have long been identified with the RSCN's image, bringing rise to exciting new creations. The Nature Adorned Collection includes a wide selection of necklaces, bracelets and earrings, as well as gift items, and men's and children's jewellery.

The USAID/ Jordan Tourism Development Project awarded a grant to the RSCN in December 2006 to support a series of projects; these projects are being implemented to support eco-tourism as a new segment of the tourism industry in Jordan, in alignment with recommendations of the 2004-2010 National Tourism Strategy.