By Delphine Leymarie
A compass born of story, shaped by hand, and destined to do good.
What if a jewel could carry not just beauty, but purpose? What if a single piece could trace the arc of love across continents—and then give back to the land that birthed its glow?
I’m honored to share that my design, the Compass Brooch & Medallion, is part of the 2025 MJSA Responsibly Sourced Design Challenge—a contest celebrating creativity, craftmanship, intention, and ethical materials.
Crafted with recycled silver, 18k Fairmined gold, Australian opal, and Montana sapphires, this piece began as a fictional love story—and transformed into a very real talisman.
A symbol of connection. A tribute to land and love. And now… a jewel you can actually win, while supporting a cause that protects the people and places behind the materials.
The Story That Sparked the Jewel
Each year, MJSA invites designers to create a piece of jewelry inspired by a fictional narrative. This year’s story followed Matilda, a woman whose life stretches between two continents—Australia, where she was born, and Colorado, USA, where she now lives with her fiancé, Alex.
- A love that blossomed during a hiking trip.
- A proposal in the snow-dusted San Juan Mountains.
- A gift of opal from her grandmother.
- A career devoted to sustainability and environmental protection.
As a dual citizen with roots in Europe and America, her story instantly spoke to me—of dual belonging, of choosing love and purpose, of roots and wings. I felt the pull of her world before I even touched pen to paper to sketch
And I knew the jewel had to hold all of it:
🌏 Two homelands
❤️ One heart
🧭 A compass to navigate both
Designing The Mountain Compass Brooch & Medallion
My process usually begins with feeling, then research, then sketch. I dove into photos of both of her surroundings, feeling ultimately pulled by visuals of eucalyptus flowers in the arid Outback terrain and of alpine lakes near Rocky Mountain peaks. I traced Matilda’s path from the red sands of Lightning Ridge to the snow-lined ridges of Colorado—and slowly, the shape emerged.
I designed a stylized compass medallion—a guiding talisman that could transform from pendant to brooch. Why both? Because I imagined Matilda as someone who didn’t wear much jewelry but would treasure a versatile piece she could wear on special occasions—or close to her heart when she wants to feel grounded in love.
The Materials & Meaning
- Center stone: A Lightning Ridge Australian opal, symbolizing her grandmother’s gift and the magic of her homeland – generously donated by Columbia Gem House.
- A Gold center: Tiny orbs around a Fairmined 18k gold bezel for the center stone, inspired by the eucalyptus blossom’s dotted core—a botanical anchor to her roots.
- Radiating petals: Sapphires in alpine blue and lush green, a nod to Colorado’s lakes and landscapes—and a proposal set on a hike – also generously donated by Columbia Gem House.
- Body of the piece: Brushed recycled sterling silver, chosen for its rugged beauty and ability to echo the Outback’s textured terrain.
The finished jewel speaks in symbols. It points to place, memory, and movement. The spiked edges mirror the sharpness of peaks, while the round forms reflect the softness of belonging. At its center burns the opal’s fire—a beacon of origin, a whisper of home.
A Jewel for a Cause — And How You Can Win It
This compass talisman is more than a one-of-a-kind piece. It’s a fundraiser.
During the full month of October 2025, this piece is being raffled to support the Lightning Ridge Fire Brigade in Australia, the very region where this opal was ethically mined.
By purchasing a $25 raffle ticket, you:
- 🎟 Enter to win the finished compass talisman
- 💛 Support the safety and sustainability of Australian mining communities
- 🌿 Join a collective movement to give back to the source
Only 100 ticket available for purchase for this design.
Cast Your Vote for the Winner
If this piece resonated with you—its meaning, materials, or story—I’d love your support, and this piece is also part of the MJSA Design Competition
Your voice matters. Your vote helps guide future conversations about responsible design.
Why I Said Yes to This Challenge
As a designer working with recycled and Fairmined gold, and as co-founder of Reciprocity Jewels, I believe that fine jewelry can carry more than beauty. It can carry values.
Sustainability. Community. A sense of place. That’s what I see when I look at this piece. That’s what I hope the wearer will feel.
It’s a joy and an honor to bring meaning to metal. To infuse story into designing around gemstones and their energies. And to connect intention with action.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me.
With love and gratitude,
Delphine
