Oria Ethical Jewellery was formed in 2007 by creative duo Tania Kowalski and Synnove Saelthun. Having worked within the jewellery industry for a combined 35 years, they became increasingly concerned with the environmental and social impact of mining and production within the jewellery industry and with the lack of transparency within the supply chain. They created Oria Ethical Jewellery to put their concerns into practice. Oria takes its name from the Latin girl's name meaning 'golden'.
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Tania Kowalski
Tania was born in Edinburgh and grew up travelling extensively. Through her travels she developed a keen interest in indigenous cultures, particularly in tribal adornment. This interest led her to enrol on a four year BA in Jewellery & Silversmithing at London Guildhall University, from which she graduated in 1993. She then spent six months in Nepal working in a fairly traded jewellery workshop. On returning to London, she has specialized as a jewellery workshop manager for several well known companies.
Synnove Saelthun
Synnove was born in Norway and spent most of her childhood close to nature. Inspired by her travels in India, she developed a passion for jewellery. She graduated as a qualified goldsmith from the Plus College in Fredrikstad in 1996. On graduating, she co-founded the AIDA-jewellery studio in Oslo. After several years at AIDA, Synnove studied advanced jewellery design & techniques at The Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and worked for a prominent New York jewellery designer. In 2002, she moved to London where she now works as a designer and goldsmith.
All our ethical jewellery is designed and made in our London, UK studio.
