Trollbeads Sustainable Design For Women Across The Globe

SELF-SUSTAINABLE WORKSHOPS DESIGN 

TROLLBEADS FOR WOMEN ACROSS THE GLOBE

The Malawi Universal Uniques Collection 

They are young, artistic and surrounded by an immense mix of colors. The talented glass artisans from Malawi create the most intricate and playful glass beads. Each of the beads' inspiration can be found in the everyday lives of their designers; from a pattern of a woman's vibrant dress on the street, a combination of exotic fruits in the marketplace, or a peculiar flower in the grasslands. Once trained by Lise Aagaard, Owner of Trollbeads, these skilled artisans are now running a flourishing business by designing glass beads for women across the world. 

Every story has a bead. The story behind the Malawi Universal Uniques collection is a heart-warming one that involves a joint venture between Lise Aagaard, the founder of Trollbeads, and artisans around the world. The Trollbeads Workshop concept originated out of Lise Aagaard's vision of infusing commerce, hope and new life into communities that would not otherwise have had the opportunity. In 2005 when Lise Aagaard started the first self-sustainable project she said: "I am now in a position to help others. I believe the best way to do so, is to help them create an existence for themselves - providing help for self-help is close to my heart."

In 2010 the Malawi Trollbeads Workshop was established with an unemployed group of challenged young people. Some had health issues and some had lost most of their family to AIDS. Using the same overall formula as with a similar project in India, Trollbeads gave a group of young men and women the opportunity to learn the artistry of making glass beads over an open flame. Besides providing financial backing for the project, Trollbeads also trained the staff in all aspects of running a successful jewellery business, including supply-chain management, production, design, and marketing. Today their localoperation employs around 12 people and is on the way to becoming completely self-sustainable. "I am so excited and thrilled that you can feel the different cultures in every single bead. My wish is that the charity projects we choose are as varied as possible. For everything we do, is all about the people," says Lise Aagaard.

The first Trollbeads Workshop originated on a family trip to Dharamsala, India where Lise Aagaard taught a group of unemployed Tibetan refugees how to make glass beads. The Aagaard family further helped this group of Tibetan refugees to start production and sale of these glass beads. Trollbeads provided financial support with an agreement that if things worked out, the loan would be repaid. And if things didn't work out, they would not be obliged to pay the loan. The loan was repaid within the year and the Tibetans had already begun designing beautiful, unique glass beads with designs that were not part of the Trollbeads standard collection. The success kept growing, and today Uniques and Universal Uniques are made by Trollbeads artisans from other parts of the world as well. 

As artists, we seek to express beauty through all that is magical, mystical and whimsical in the world around us... so that others may find self-expression and enjoyment through our work.As craftsmen, we seek to create jewelry from nature's finest and most durable materials, constructed of the highest quality...so that our work is considered the standard of excellence. As an enterprise, we seek to engage with those who share our vision, our passion and ideals, and to transact honestly with all... so that we are known as a company with a soul.     Trollbeads Mantra

Trollbeads Universal Uniques are designed with a larger hole to allow for compatibility with other bracelets in the market. Universal Uniques offers the opportunity for more customers to try and experience the beautiful craftsmanship and high-quality jewelleries from Trollbeads. Universally adored, every one of these glass bead kits is distinct and can be worn on other major brand bracelets.

Preview the Trollbeads Malawi YouTube Video

Connect with Trollbeads USA

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About Lise Aagaard Copenhagen: The Company behind Trollbeads USA is Lise Aagaard Copenhagen. The mission is to create beautiful, imaginative jewelry and also to involve and touch people all over the world. Each piece in the Trollbeads collection has its own history, taking its inspiration from mythology, astrology, fairy tales, fauna, flora, cultural diversity, and last but certainly not least, in the familiar things of everyday living. Trollbeads products include beads on bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings and accessories. www.Trollbeadsuniverse.com  

Global Jewelry Crime Investigators Turn to GIA

Global Jewelry Crime Investigators Turn to GIA

Law enforcement training at Carlsbad campus

CARLSBAD, Calif. – April 11, 2012 – More than $1.5 billion of jewelry and precious metals were stolen in the U.S. in 2010, with a recovery rate of only around 4.2 percent, according to the Uniform Crime Report issued by the FBI. To help combat gem and jewelry-related crime, law enforcement turned to GIA (Gemological Institute of America) for expertise and assistance. In March, 22 special agents and detectives from international agencies completed a custom-designed intensive two week program at GIA world headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif., that armed them with the skills, knowledge and network to help successfully identify and recover gems and jewelry involved in criminal cases.

Law enforcement officers from Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia and South Africa joined representatives from 13 U.S. cities including police officers, FBI agents and Homeland Security Investigators to learn how advanced gemological information and training from GIA can help solve international gem and jewelry crimes. 

The experienced professionals received training in the GIA-created 4Cs of diamond quality (Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight) and their grading factors; tools of the trade including loupes and microscopes; an industry overview outlining the role of diamonds in the marketplace; synthetics, imitations and treatments; field identification of colored gemstones; how to read a GIA grading report; how jewelry is made; and breaking down stolen jewelry. 

FBI Special Agent Daniel McCaffrey participates
 in a custom-designed laboratory class at
the GIA world headquarters in Carlsbad, Calif.
Image © GIA

The objectives of GIA and law enforcement coincide because they both dedicate themselves to the people they serve, according to Special Agent Daniel McCaffrey, a 16-year veteran of the FBI. “A GIA education is indispensable. The information and practices I’ve learned give me a certain edge because I’m able to employ a more technical perspective,” he added.

“Our mission is to protect the public in gemstone and jewelry purchases,” said Donna Baker, president and CEO of GIA. “We’re pleased to have built a strong working relationship with law enforcement agencies around the world. By working together, we can help reduce gem-related crimes.”

The goals of the seminar were to teach practical gemology for use in investigations and demonstrate how GIA resources are readily available to assist in criminal cases. The blend of national and international attendees added the crucial element of transnational cooperation. Representatives from mining countries such as Canada and South Africa brought their unique experience with crimes that occur at the source of gemstones; while others brought a consumer perspective.

In the 1980s, a database of diamonds and colored stones with GIA grading reports was started to assist law enforcement in identifying gemstones involved in crimes. Stones, even if they have been recut, can be identified in the system. Another way GIA can identify a stone is through a laser inscription. A police report with a certified English translation is required to utilize this system.

Criminal cases solved through the GIA database are not restricted to jewelry theft. McCaffrey described how identifying the stone in an engagement ring led to identification of a murder victim. Investigators were able to trace the ring back to the jeweler who sold the ring by flagging it in the database, which eventually led them to the victim’s family.

“Jewelry theft is often a gateway crime,” said FBI Supervisory Special Agent Eric Ives, organized crime and major theft program manager.  “These crimes are often associated with very sophisticated and sometimes violent international criminal enterprises involved in other criminal violations, including money laundering. The illicit proceeds from the trafficking of stolen jewelry are sometimes used to fund other criminal activities.”  

GIA has supported and educated law enforcement for decades. The current intensive program began as a partnership between GIA and the Major Theft Program at FBI Headquarters in 2007. Through this collaboration, the training course was coordinated, the curriculum was developed and attendees were selected.  

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, GIA (Gemological Institute of America), established in 1931, is recognized as the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA invented the famous 4Cs of Color, Cut, Clarity, and Carat Weight in the early 1950s and in 1953, created the International Diamond Grading System™ which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world.

To learn more about GIA’s programs and offerings, visit www.gia.edu.