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Inspired by incredible species traditionally taken for luxury items – elephants, sharks, mantas, rhinos, coral – the founding & focus of Vargas Goteo began in 2010, highlighting the beauty unique to them.
The beautiful glow of gold, the shine of sterling silver, the sparkling of diamonds, is paired with unique designs honoring and supporting vulnerable species and habitats, symbolizing the respect of where they belong.
We are all tied to the natural world, and so we are committed to be even a little drop that creates a wave of positive change.
Find regal twists on the marine iguana, the iconic giant tortoise, a garden of cacti adorned with sustainable lab-grown diamonds, the sleek lines of the sea lion, and much more.
A portion of proceeds from sales from the Galapagos collection donated to Re:wild, a 501(c)3 non-profit with a singular and powerful focus: the wild as the most effective solution to the interconnected climate and biodiversity crises.
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Established in 2010 by designer Alex Prijic Smith, Vargas Goteo became one of the firsts in its field of jewelry design to initiate a new perspective on the value of poached, illegally traded and irresponsibly sourced wildlife for luxury goods.
Highlighting their unique features, equally unique designs in sterling silver and gold celebrate these vulnerable species and habitats.
All pieces are made in-house in Montreal, where Alex works with a team of traditionally skilled craftspeople.
Collections raise awareness and contribute directly to carefully selected ocean and wildlife organization campaigns. These include anti-shark finning, manta ray conservation, coral reef restoration, anti-ivory poaching and anti-rhino poaching organizations.
Combining eye catching, thought provoking design with ethical and social responsibility, Vargas Goteo creates statement pieces that start a conversation about conservation.
“Every species, ours included, depends on an ecosystem that requires balance, attention and respect. Vargas Goteo pieces are symbols of that respect, of the value we see in vulnerable species where they belong, as they are, safe and thriving.
It's a great feeling to give back, and if wearing or gifting a piece can be a part of that, it makes it all that more valuable."
- Alex Prijic Smith, Founder & Designer
In keeping with more sustainable practices, Vargas Goteo pieces are not just small batch production, but made-to-order locally in our Montreal low-emission workshop. Materials are ethically sourced, using recycled silver & gold while maintaining the quality of the material, and production is done by a small team of traditionally skilled craftspeople, or what we call family.
STERLING SILVER: 92.5 percent silver, nickel-free alloy
14k GOLD: 58.5 percent gold, nickel-free alloys
18k GOLD: 75 percent gold, nickel-free alloys
VERMEIL: a 3-4 micron layering of gold on our sterling silver.
LAB DIAMONDS: sourced from the US, lab-grown diamonds are chemically and structurally identical to natural diamonds, without the environmental & ethical detriment of mining.
