On Oct. 1, Dr. Jane Goodall died of natural causes at 91. Many don’t know that the animal rights activist, researcher, humanitarian and conservationist had collaborated with Brilliant Earth on not one, but two jewelry collections, the second which debuted just a week before her death.
As Glossy reports, the conservationist and primatologist set her sights on the jewelry sector after seeing how gold mining is contributing to destruction of the Amazon. Goodall saw the partnership as an opportunity to highlight the hidden costs of traditional mining. “Because [this collection] is made from recycled gold, hopefully it gives me an opportunity to talk about the utter devastation of the environment by gold mining, particularly the illegal gold mining that has sprung up around the world,” she said about the collaboration. “It may seem like one small company using a little recycled gold, but it all helps, and it helps me spread the word.”
Brilliant Earth says its Capture Collection lab-grown diamonds are made from carbon captured before it is released into the atmosphere. This carbon is used to grow the diamond crystals, creating a sustainable alternative that diverts harmful emissions from the environment. Goodall’s comments echoed a wider consumer concern. “Carbon capture diamonds minimize your footprint, but their use here is also about contributing to solutions,” Gerstein said. “Consumers are moving toward wanting products that actively contribute to the issues they care about.”
Brilliant Earth’s first collection with Jane Goodall, which debuted in October, 2024, featured a banana leaf motif and was its most successful fine jewelry collaboration to date, said Gerstein in a March earnings call. The 2025 Jane Goodall Collection features the gold and lab-grown diamond jewelry with an olive branch motif, a longstanding symbol of peace. The 16-piece collection includes necklaces, rings, cufflinks, drop and stud earrings, and a brooch.
A highlight of the collection is the “Jane Goodall Peace Medallion,” which features a hand-engraved dove and an olive branch, symbolizing Goodall’s role as a U.N. Messenger of Peace. There is also a cocktail ring set with a “Pacific Green” lab-grown diamond, a color that is proprietary to Brilliant Earth, said the company.
“Jane Goodall embodies purpose, responsibility, and the power to inspire positive change,” said Beth Gerstein, co-founder and CEO of Brilliant Earth. “Creating jewelry that honors Jane’s extraordinary legacy went beyond beautiful designs; we’ve created heirlooms that carry forward her message of hope and our collective power to transform the world. Every piece becomes a daily reminder that each of us has the ability to make a difference, no matter how small the act”.
Consumers are seeking out brands that align with their values, said the company, and this collection offers “purpose-driven luxury.” Brilliant Earth states that the collection was designed “to celebrate and advance Dr. Goodall’s legacy. In honor of her lifelong mission, 100% of net proceeds will directly benefit The Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation Fund and its vital conservation work.”
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