Discover the workshop, materials, production & values.
Jakhu Studio is a London-Lima based jewellery brand founded in 2017 on the principle of creating contemporary designs with high-quality craftsmanship and the finest materials. Rooted in Pre-columbian art and culture, Jakhu jewellery is handcrafted in Peru in partnership with silversmiths from San Jeronimo de Tunan (Central Andes), using locally sourced silver and traditional techniques of jewellery making.
‘Jakhu’ means things of value in Aymara and ‘Yaku’ means water in Quechua, paying homage to the indigenous heritage of the Andean region.
Jakhu Studio jewellery transcends beyond adornment, every piece responds to the ancestral traditions of wearing jewellery as a powerful form of self-expression and communication.
Materials
At Jakhu Studio, we primarily use locally sourced silver, a significant portion of which is recycled. We are working towards making 100% of our silver fully recycled in the coming years. Our capsule collection, Moon Drops, proudly features 100% recycled silver, setting a new standard for our future artisan collections. We aim to minimize the use of harmful chemicals and reduce waste by producing limited-edition and made-to-order designs.
Production
Supporting local artisans is at the heart of Jakhu Studio. We work hand-in-hand with skilled craftspeople, fostering meaningful partnerships that celebrate tradition and empower family-run businesses to continue their craft. Our artisan collections are created in collaboration with a family workshop in San Jeronimo de Tunan, where time-honoured jewellery-making techniques have been passed down through generations. For our Moon Drops capsule, we partner with another family workshop in central Lima.
This collaboration not only supports the local community but also promotes a more sustainable and thoughtful approach in the making, allowing us to create each piece with care, preserving traditional methods, and upholding a strong commitment to sustainability.
Importantly, we do not use tumbling or other industrial finishing processes that typically involve harsh chemicals. This ensures that our jewellery is crafted with the utmost care and respect for the environment.
There is a deep transmission of the artisan’s essence in the pieces. This essence is connected to the location of the workshop in the central Andes and its beautiful, powerful and natural surroundings.
Jaku Studio Workshop: Meet the Master.
About the Designer:
Born in rural Andalusia, southern Spain, Maria Bernal has always been captivated by objects and craftsmanship. She holds a degree in Psychology Arts from Seville University, where she developed a passion for exploring human roots through a connection with Mother Nature. With a keen eye for aesthetics and creativity, Maria is a self-taught jewelry designer based between London and Lima.
On her first journey to Peru in 2012, Maria encountered Pre-Columbian art, sparking a deep fascination and a desire to learn more about the culture. Her uncle, a civil engineer living in Peru, facilitated her connection with local artisans in the Andes, which led to the creation of Jakhu Studio in 2017, intending to preserve Peru’s jewelry heritage through ethical and responsible practices.
Inspired by the universal language of geometry, wabi-sabi, and the wonders of nature, Maria’s designs embody simplicity, harmony, and balance.
‘Jewellery is not just an adornment but a wearable object, an amulet that enhances our daily life and well-being’.
