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ABOUT KOLLECTIVET
Kollectivet offers both one-off designer pieces, and bespoke services for custom engagement rings and other fine jewelry pieces. Our website hosts a curated collection of utterly unique designer jewelry, handmade using precious and semi-precious gemstones by independent Sri Lankan artisans. All pieces are made from quality materials, including plated jewelry which is made from sterling silver.
Our artisans are designer-led and independently owned small jewelry businesses. We only work with artisans who are exceptionally close to their production, where they have an in-house team of skilled goldsmiths and artisans who typically hand finish each piece of jewelry. Kollectivet also houses their own private label product, leveraging on the same brand partners to bring designs to life, promising products of high quality and craftsmanship.
When you place an order on Kollectivet, you are shopping directly from our artisans. Each piece of jewelry is made from scratch and made specifically for you! We also verify the authenticity of materials used. Our natural gemstones are mined from conflict-free zones and support the local community of gem merchants. Each of our gemstone jewelry is accompanied by a certificate of authentication provided by GIA certified gemologists.
At Kollectivet we create only one piece of each design and don’t hold unnecessary stocks. Your special piece of jewelry will not only last forever but help communities while doing less harm to the planet. We will strive to bring the best from the Sri Lankan Island of Gems, home of the iconic Ceylon sapphire, to Europe.
OUR STORY
Kollectivet is founded by husband-and-wife team, Kim Worm-Petersen and Gayara De Silva, in December 2022 with hopes of offering the best of Sri Lankan gemstones and craftsmanship to Europe. Let’s start from the very beginning ✨
Kim (a Norwegian) and Gayara (a Sri Lankan) met during their university years, when she was 18 and he was 21 years old. Sri Lanka was their home together for 8 years before they decided to move to Norway. The tropical island remains close to their heart and everyday lives. Kim runs TIQRI AS, an IT company with operations in Norway and Colombo, Sri Lanka. Gayara, who was born in Colombo has her family there.
Gayara has always had a keen interest in fashion and retail. She worked in the apparel and retail sector for over 7 years, working in product innovation for brands such as Victoria’s Secret, Calvin Klein, DB Apparel and SPANX. During their travels back and forth between Norway and Sri Lanka, Gayara got the idea to market Sri Lanka’s beautiful array of gemstones and impeccable craftsmanship to Europe. She wanted to connect her love for fashion and retail, together with her love for Sri Lanka.
The jewelry sold in Scandinavia was predominately diamond based compared to Sri Lanka’s vividly colorful gemstones. Known as the Island of Gems, Sri Lanka is the home of the iconic sapphire. Further, precious gemstones such as emeralds, rubies and sapphires were only set in gold in Scandinavia, and variety of semi-precious gemstone jewelry in mainstream stores was limited. Design options are standardized, and customization is expensive. There was a gap in the jewelry market that Gayara really wanted to explore. That is when the idea for Kollectivet came to life.
While bringing the best from the Island of Gems to Europe, Gayara also wanted to support the local industry by working closely with fellow Sri Lankan gem merchants, artisans and small independent jewelry businesses.
Kollectivet is an online company based in Norway, where Kim and Gayara live with their son Theo, and fur baby Ali 🐈⬛
A MESSAGE FROM GAYARA
🤝 Supporting independent gem merchants and artisans.
I have personally chosen every single item listed on the site, and I strive to only stock beautifully unique, well-made jewels, that are handmade by locals themselves. Many of our designers are homegrown and design their own products. It is my honor to represent each of these brands and I hope to increase the exposure for these artists and uncover more hidden gems from my paradise island. Check out our collection and discover a world of real, handcrafted jewelry designed and created by our talented community of artisans. Or get in touch with us and create your own!
In 2022, Sri Lanka faced its worst economic crisis since its independence in 1948, affecting the lives of 21.9 million people. The economic crisis turned into a humanitarian crisis with the country facing shortages in essential medicines, medical equipment and food shortages. With each purchase, you are contributing in your own little way to the Sri Lankan artisan community, entrepreneurs and small businesses. Currently, Kollectivet is the only online multi-brand retail store that provides Sri Lankan designers and artisans an opportunity and route-to-market to sell their products in Norway, and the rest of Europe. Your choice to buy products that are designed and made in Sri Lanka is a great show of support to our artisan community.
With much love and gratitude,
Gayara
THE ISLAND OF GEMS
Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is an island in the Indian ocean, located in the southern tip of India. The nation has an intense and rich history surrounding gemstones and still today, remains to be one of the single most important sources for sapphires and other gemstones in the world. This island has the highest density of gem deposits compared to land mass than any country in the world!
Historically, Sri Lanka was affectionately known as “Rathnadeepa”, which in Sanskrit means Gem Island, reflecting its abundance of natural wealth. The gem riches of Sri Lanka have been legendary for centuries. It is estimated that Sri Lanka’s gem trading history dates back 2500 years. Marco Polo wrote: “I want you to understand that the island of Ceylon is, for its size, the finest island in the world, and from its streams comes rubies, sapphires, topazes, amethyst and garnet.” Little has changed since Marco Polo’s time.
Sri Lanka’s mineral rich soils have been yielding a never-ending supply of high quality precious and semi-precious gemstones. Without doubt, the Ceylon blue sapphire is the most important gemstone found in Sri Lanka. They are favoured across the world, especially by royal families, due to its naturally vivid colour, purity, and density. Princess Diana’s iconic engagement ring, today worn by the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, is a whopping 12 carat Ceylon blue sapphire!
Other gemstone species found in Sri Lanka include Yellow Sapphire, color changing sapphires, Ruby, Padparadscha, Asteriated Sapphires (Star Sapphires), Cat's-eye chrysoberyl, Alexandrite, Spinel, Garnet, Tourmaline, Beryl, Quartz, Moonstone, etc. Most of the gem-quality material is found in alluvial deposits throughout the island, with Rathnapura being the most famous place to find gems in the country.
Kollectivet aims to share this beautiful island's jewels with Norway and the rest of Europe.
OUR COMPANY
Kollectivet is a curated online retail store with handcrafted treasures made by Sri Lankan designers and artisans.
www.kollectivet.com is owned and operated by Kollectivet AS.
Kollectivet AS is a limited liability company registered in Norway with listed address Flafjellet 54, Fagerstrand, Nesodden.
Company registration number 928 848 930