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. Combining eye-catching, thought-provoking design with ethical and social responsibility, Alex creates statement pieces that start a conversation about conservation.
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.
What’s in the name: Vargas Goteo is a combination of the surname of an artist whose work Alex grew up around, and “goteo”, a variant of the Latin term for droplet - reflecting the company’s motto that every drop creates a wave…or every effort can create change.