The Canadian jewelry designer once again pledges funds to wildlife initiatives with the unveiling of new nature-inspired collections

Lots of people enjoy the sight of wild elephants and rhinos, but Alex Prijic-Smith’s affinity for the massive mammals goes above and beyond mere trips to the zoo. Enter the Vargas Goteo designer’s new Ivory Free and Rhino jewelry collections made in silver and 14k gold vermeil with proceeds that once again benefit WildAid, a frequent recipient of funds raised by Smith thanks to her love of wildlife.

“I focus on designing pieces that symbolize animals and their parts, and hope to give value to a wearable symbol of respect,” says Prijic-Smith. “My collections are inspired by the need to recognize the real value in species that are being poached for monetary gain and that it lies in leaving the species as they are.”

Both Ivory Free and Rhino are new for 2016, and both have several dozen SKUs sporting tusk motifs and rhino horn silhouettes. Prijic-Smith worked with WildAid’s existing crossed tusks motifs for some pieces in Ivory Free and made a custom rhino horn cutout for the Rhino collection. Thirty percent of sale proceeds from Ivory Free and 20 percent of proceeds from Rhino benefit WildAid. The lines are not yet in retail stores, and buy-in is eight pieces. Retail prices in silver start at $50 in Ivory Free and $80 in Rhino.

Rhino necklace in 14k rose gold vermeil, $130

Tusk studs in silver from Ivory Free, $220

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JCK