Nadia Dajani unveils 'The Basalt Collection'

In a one-week launching exhibition held at Wild Jordan, RSCN's business unit promoting socio-economic projects, eco-tourism and handicraft enterprises, the collection was presented in an evening of artistic sensation.

The collection, that includes rings, necklaces, and earrings, was made of the exquisite basalt, a black/grey-colored volcanic rock found widely in eastern Jordan around Azraq City and above Dana Village where it occurs as a result of volcanic action. The stone is hand cut into various shapes, drilled and made into beads, which in turn are incorporated with silver as well as copper motifs to create jewellery pieces.

The RSCN, an organization devoted to the protection of wildlife across the Kingdom, has exerted utmost efforts to conserve the city particularly the Azraq Oasis, a natural marvel inhabited by endangered animals and rich plants.

Dajani expressed her joy at the launch of 'The Basalt Collection', saying:

"The cornerstone of this collection is basalt, an organically-captivating stone that has become an emblem of local architecture, particularly in culturally-symbolic constructions such as mosques and public libraries. Never before, however, has it been used in jewelry designs, and it is therefore our intention to explore the history of the land by celebrating basalt - reshaping this volcanic stone into jewels."

In a growing partnership between the Jordanian jewelry designer and the RSCN, Dajani has launched the 'Nature Adorned' collection last year for the winter of 2007/2008. Dajani also held a number of workshops for artisans in a number of the Society's reserves including Mujib Nature Reserve and Dana Biosphere Reserve.

"We are delighted to have this brilliant collection exhibited at Wild Jordan. Nadia Dajani is an exceptional artist, and her pieces are an articulation of the vivacity of nature. These jewelry designs abound in meaningful messages and historic charm," said Mr. Chris Johnson, Wild Jordan Director.

The collection will become an integral part of the jewelry at Wild Jordan and will create job opportunities for RSCN silver workshops where the number of employees will increase as the production of jewelry capacity increases, thereby encouraging the handicraft sector in Jordan to thrive and the "made in Jordan" label to propagate.