The project began with an idea that came from the 2018 Kering Award for Sustainable Fashion at the London College of Fashion. Chilean student María Teresa Flores, who won first prize, suggested creating jewels using sustainably sourced lapis lazuli from her native Chile. Intrigued by the idea, Pomellato investigated further and discovered the Las Flores de los Andes company, which is the source of the lapis lazuli. The stone is sustainably extracted from the company’s high-altitude, artisanal mine, the only one of its kind in the South American country. The lapis lazuli has been meticulously selected by Pomellato’s experienced gem-buying team for its high percentage of lazurite, which infuses the opaque stone with the desirable deep blue colour and texture so reminiscent of a pair of well-loved jeans. The lapis lazuli has been softly faceted in the characteristic style of the Ritratto Collection, revealing the intriguing natural beauty of the stone. Two stylised claws set with sustainably sourced Tanzanian rubies seductively curl around the corners of the lapis lazuli as if in a gentle caress.