We all know John Hardy the internationally recognized luxury jeweler. Upon taking a trip to Bali in the 1970s, he was inspired to learn the ancient Balinese jewelry-making techniques which led to the establishment of his luxury brand, specializing in casually elegant jewelry. Not only did John Hardy learn the techniques, but he set up the base for his brand, including the manufacturing, in Bali. He does maintain an office in New York as well.
Then he began environmental initiatives which started right on his own “factory” land in Bali. Really, the “factory” buildings are beautiful open-air, woven bamboo huts situated on a semi-cleared area of land without concrete anywhere. It’s quite picturesque and a great source of inspiration and creativity for jewelry that regularly features nature-inspired patterns. One of the eco-friendly initiatives is the small, organic farm that shares the same land with the high-end luxury brand. The food grown on the farm feeds the employees, and that supply is supplemented by rice fields and organic gardens in another part of Bali, owned by a company which John Hardy helped start.
Aside from being the creativity behind a mega jewelry company, managing an international group of executives and managers, starting and maintaining eco-friendly objectives and environmental activism, as well as being a husband and father and flying between New York and Bali, John Hardy is also a philanthropist. His most recent work has been at Spring Bling, a charity event to raise money for children’s programs at the Victoria’s Women’s Transition House held at The Oswego Hotel in Victoria, Canada on Vancouver Island. The event is organized by Barbara Strachen, a woman who has known John since he was a teen working at the nearby grocery store. The participating jewelers and fashion designers include Carey Newman, Sheila Smedley, Andrea Bailey, Joy Garnett and Judy Seeley, who will each donate fifty percent of sales from the event to Transition House. Charity such as this is just one example of John Hardy’s philanthropy.
John Hardy jewelry represents social and environmental responsibility as well as being incredible, hand-made, silver and gold luxury jewelry.