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Boulder’s Todd Reed: Raw Diamonds, Raw Elegance
by Juliana Echavarria, Fashion Correspondent; all photos by ToddReed.com
His elegant designs, created with the most beautiful sustainable jaw-dropping raw diamonds in the world, are the epitome of sustainable beauty. Todd Reed was one of the world’s pioneer art jewelers using sustainable raw diamonds and continues to lead the movement as the leader of sustainability in jewelry. Todd is a self-taught art jeweler who began creating jewelry at 17, simply because he liked it, and after 19 years is still 100 percent immersed and in love with his creations. To him this is not work, it is his passion.
18ct, raw diamond and ruby ring
Todd has created and led a company by combining his passion and creativity with the implementation of sustainable standards throughout every aspect of his business. Social, economic, and environmental sustainability are evident through his management skills, the dedication and cultural camaraderie of his gifted team, and in the collection, design, and distribution of every piece of Todd Reed jewelry. Social responsibility as a term didn’t exist in the ’80s when he started out, as regards a company’s actions and in the right relationships. “I didn’t expect that we would revolutionize this industry. Fifteen years ago we were only selling to collectors,” said Todd as he explained the evolution of eco-jewelry to Denver Fashion Beat.
He does it because is “the right thing to do.” This is why he has chosen to work with only raw diamonds and manage his company in a sustainable manner – one that doesn’t participate in the consumerism aspect of the fashion industry, but rather focuses on the importance of creating a superior product in every way. All his pieces are hand-forged and fabricated with recycled gold and ethically mined diamonds or diamonds rescued from the cutting room floor. Seeing the way in which he describes his pieces with the most undeniable fervor and his ability to find beauty in even the smallest piece of a diamond, apart from being an unforgettable, is an enjoyable experience, a testament to the indescribable passion that Todd Reed holds for his creations and just a taste of why he is one of the most recognized and awarded art jewelers in the world.
He is completely in sync with his pieces, and very conscious of the standards for excellence that his company is setting within the fashion industry. While other jewelry companies are just beginning to show collections containing rough diamonds, Todd Reed has been doing it for almost two decades. “Some designers consider it a trend. I don’t think it’s a trend. Things change. We’ve created an industry that didn’t exist before.” The fact that he has not bought into the consumerist trend and has kept true to the core beliefs and values of his company is an extraordinary and admirable fact.
18ct gold and organic rose-cut diamond ring
“It’s not about consumerism, it’s about understanding the life cycle of the piece. I’ve told people before that they can’t buy some of my pieces when I’ve seen that they are only interested in owning one of them because of their economic value,” said Todd Reed. It is precisely this distinctive appreciation for the uniqueness and rareness of his pieces that distinguishes the Todd Reed client from the rest. His clients receive the golden touch, the white glove treatment. A woman that owns a Todd Reed piece recognizes the beauty, dedication, and satisfaction from purchasing a beautifully crafted, eco-friendly one-of-a kind $75,000 18ct gold bangle made of natural, rose-cut and raw diamonds. She knows the difference between one that hurts the environment and one that does not; the reasons behind her purchase resonate with his passion and desire to inspire and run his business in a socially responsible way.
Raw diamond, aquamarine necklace
His pieces are inimitable. Some of Denver Fashion Beat’s favorites include an amazing 5 feet long necklace ($14K) made with 18ct gold, raw Australian diamonds, aquamarine beads, and recycled Palm wood that can be worn in several layers. This is an extremely unique piece; to someone who has never seen an uncut diamond before, at first glance the diamonds in this necklace might not look like diamonds at all. It takes a discerning eye to recognize the quality and beauty of this piece. A hand-forged $25K ring made with 18ct gold, ruby, and raw diamond cubes, and an eternity ring ($11,250) made with 18ct gold and organic rose cut diamonds that is absolutely to die for.
18ct raw diamond bangle
And even though during the current economic climate women are buying less and being more specific about buying the things that they need and absolutely love, his pieces continue to sell quickly, mainly due to the fact that they actually connect with the core beliefs of the consumer. While most jewelry companies are posting record losses, Todd Reed’s future looks brighter than ever before, an attribute that speaks to the extraordinary quality, environmental sustainable excellence, and undeniable attraction of the company’s jewelry.
What’s next for Todd Reed? Todd’s priority right now is not growth. He does not like the commoditization of unique pieces; the design aesthetics and the sustainability aspect of his designs and company are what it’s all about. That is why, along with the uniqueness of his beautiful pieces, Todd Reed’s current marketing efforts are being directed to finding the right market and to positioning the brand within the right store in Denver – one where the exceptional beauty of his pieces will receive the recognition that they are worthy of getting.
To contact Todd Reed and see his beautiful eco-friendly designs please visit www.toddreed.com.
8 Responses to “Boulder’s Todd Reed: Raw Diamonds, Raw Elegance”
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Great work! His website also has some really good pieces for men! I’m really looking forward to seeing more of his work.
Thanks for the article!
Boulder’s Todd Reed and raw, sustainable eco-friendly art jewelry … http://tinyurl.com/c8crdv
http://tinyurl.com/c8crdv
@juliecha @emaildiva Thanks ladies! ECO CHIC RAW DIAMONDS,RAW ELEGANCE TODD REED EXCLUSIVE WITH DENVERFASHION BEAT http://tinyurl.com/c8crdv
Eco-chic raw diamonds, raw elegance. Todd Reed exclusive with Denver Fashion Beat: http://tinyurl.com/c8crdv
Boulder’s Todd Reed and raw, sustainable eco-friendly art jewelry …: Todd Reed is the world’s pioneer .. http://tinyurl.com/c8crdv
Wow, this work is so cool ! When you think about how environmentally damaging the jewelry business must be, it ’s great to see someone creating beautiful objects with such sensitivity. I don’t know if it’s the case or not, but I don’t see Cartier or Tiffiany as being involved in anything sustainable when it comes to jewelry, and it’s great to see someone making such interesting and elegant work with that approach. Great article - thanks
Check out Eco-Chic Jewelry designer Todd Reed- http://tinyurl.com/c8crdv