About us
Nekala
Translated from Sanskrit, "Kala" means "black", and is a Hindu deity with a dual identity. She represents physical and symbolic death, deep silence and introspection. She liberates from cycles, removes all negativity, transcends time, and is the personification of Brahman, meaning "the all".
Translated from the Greek, "Neo" means "new". It's a word with strong connotations, referring to the one who brings change and carries new light. It represents innovation and renewal, opening the door to a new vision and the beginning of something new.
Nekala is balance. It's the balance between polarities, between things, and between our worlds. Nekala is an ode to nature, to the life that surrounds us, to our cultural wealth, our wisdom and our stories. It's about paying tribute to what the world brings us in all its forms. -
Travelling
Passionate about art and materials, I've always loved experimenting, appreciating beauty and expressing myself through it. A traveler at heart, I traveled the world at a very early age, having always had an attraction for adventure, discovering people and their cultures, and exploring the most exotic corners of nature.
My sensitivities to art, languages, mythology and cultural heritage have shaped my vision. I'm imbued with philosophies and values, and a way of life that's simple and in harmony with our nature.
The places I've lived and the experiences I've had around the world have opened my eyes and my heart. I've traveled long and far, and I've traveled deep inside myself.
Today, through art and aesthetics, I like to pay homage to our land and to our ancestors of the world. Nekala has always nourished my intrinsic desire to inspire people to do things differently, and to awaken each of us to something more beautiful. -
- Léa
Precious jewelry handmade in France
Each of your pieces is handmade in our workshops. We emphasize the beauty of craftsmanship, which requires traditional techniques and know-how, making each of our creations authentic and unique.
We favor small-scale production, creating limited lines. As over-consumption and over-exploitation of resources are not part of our values, we prefer to showcase only a few pieces per season, and in limited quantities. In this way, we find that the value of your jewelry is all the greater.
The collections are made entirely in French workshops, notably in Provence and the Paris region. The Nekala workshop is located between Aix-en-Provence and Marseille, under the southern sun. We work exclusively with French suppliers and partners, guaranteeing the purchase of metals in France.
This choice guarantees genuine French quality, and total transparency regarding our resources. -
Sustainable, reasoned precious jewelry
We work exclusively with 18k gold and sterling silver. These two noble metals have exceptional properties, enabling us to create highly precious pieces that will last a lifetime: gold and silver are both resistant to time, shock and wear, making them extremely durable. Our jewels are handed down through the generations, carrying with them all their stories and intentions.
The beauty of natural resources also touches us more than other types of materials. Our vision is to work in collaboration and harmony with our natural surroundings, to sparingly create creations that will convey special intentions, properties and energies to the world.
We favor small-scale production, creating limited lines. As over-consumption and over-exploitation of resources are not part of our values, we prefer to honor only a few pieces per season, and in limited quantities. In this way, we find that the value of your jewelry is all the greater.
All materials are recycled and losses are reused. Both our suppliers and our workshops respect ecological standards, in particular the banned use of cadmium and nickel in gold baths, are committed to recycling their metals and chemicals, and choose to source their materials from certified mines, guaranteeing serious extraction and fair wages, and respect for social and environmental rights. -
Solid silver
Sterling silver or 925 silver is a metal composed of 92.5% pure silver and 7.5% other metals, usually copper. Pure silver is alloyed with a base metal to make it stronger, easier to work with and more resistant.
Nekala adds an extra 5 microns of silver plating to the final piece of jewelry, to ensure an even shine on the surface and to push back oxidation a little further.
Silver is a noble metal appreciated for its brilliance and durability. Silver jewelry lasts a lifetime and longer. Although it will eventually oxidize, more or less quickly depending on skin type and use, a quick cleaning is all it takes to restore it to its former glory.
Silver is a natural, recyclable resource with diverse scientific and metaphysical properties. Known since the dawn of time, it has crossed the centuries and been at the heart of our civilizations.
Aware of the stakes involved in mining and the environmental impact, we work exclusively with solid recycled silver supplied in France, guaranteeing its quality, avoiding the CO2 emissions associated with transport, and limiting the exploitation of our natural resources. -
18k vermeil
How does it differ from other gold jewelry?
18k vermeil is a strict designation given to jewelry whose base is made of 925 sterling silver, then coated with a layer of 18k gold at least 5 microns thick.
Outside France, vermeil does not have the same definition. Outside France, it requires a minimum thickness of 2.5 microns to be considered vermeil - the equivalent of "gold-plated" in France. French vermeil is therefore a guarantee of genuine quality.
Vermeil is a precious metal in its own right, with its own hallmark. The thick layer of 18k gold gives your jewelry exceptional preciousness and durability.
Vermeil jewelry is resistant to water, wear and oxidation, as well as being hypoallergenic, since it's made from solid silver and gold, two noble metals. Having all the properties of solid gold jewelry, vermeil has the advantage of being much more affordable. It's the perfect compromise for your jewelry.
Once used for tableware, large goldsmiths' pieces and royalty, vermeil is renowned for its great resistance. Much less popular today, vermeil is often mistaken for the color of the same name, a bright cherry red. -
Our semi-precious stones
Our semi-precious stones come from natural mines in countries such as Burma, Sri Lanka and India. They are then cut by lapidaries, usually in China or India.
As the mining of gemstones is still largely less regulated than that of precious stones, it is still difficult for us to guarantee transparent traceability and extraction conditions that meet our ethical standards. Nevertheless, we are doing our best to come closer to these standards.
One of Nekala's priorities is to guarantee 100% ethical production, from raw materials to delivery of the finished product.
For the time being, we make it a point of honor to obtain genuine, high-quality gemstones. We are also gradually setting up partnerships with local gemologists and lapidaries, sourcing from certified mines that respect human and environmental rights, for our forthcoming collections. -