Actress and activist Nathalie Kelley is turning jewelry into a form of storytelling that shines brighter than gold. Known for her work in Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, The Vampire Diaries, The Baker and the Beauty, and Motorheads, Kelley has shifted her focus toward environmental justice and Indigenous empowerment. Her latest collaboration with Pure Earth brings both worlds together in a single piece of wearable art.
Kelley, of Quechua descent, designed a one-of-a-kind necklace for Pure Earth’s 2025 Pure Gold Auction, an annual event dedicated to raising awareness of mercury pollution from gold mining. For the first time, every piece in the auction is made from 100% Fairmined gold, sourced from AMATAF, a women-led network of artisanal miners in Madre de Dios, Peru. These miners have partnered with Pure Earth to eliminate mercury from their practices and restore damaged ecosystems.
“As someone with Peruvian and Quechua roots, this work is close to my heart,” Kelley said. “I’m proud to use my voice to support Pure Earth, an organization that honors local leadership and offers real, tangible solutions to prevent mercury pollution.”
Kelley collaborated with Peruvian jewelry designer Andrea José, who also works with miners transitioning to ethical, sustainable gold production. Together, they created a stunning 18k gold necklace featuring a jaguar pendant, a sacred symbol of power and balance across the Amazon. The pendant is accented with an Umba sapphire from Anza Gems and two recycled yellow sapphires from Perpetuum Jewels. The stone colors represent the hues of an Amazonian sunrise, capturing both the fragility and endurance of the Amazon itself.
“Jewelry tells a story, and I wanted this piece to tell one of hope,” Kelley explained. “Gold doesn’t have to come at the expense of poisoned rivers and lost forests. By supporting miners who are leading the way with mercury-free practices, we can transform the industry—and give people a chance to wear jewelry that reflects their values.”
Mercury pollution remains one of the most urgent environmental crises. According to the World Health Organization, mercury is among the top 10 chemicals threatening global health. Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM), which employs up to 15 million people worldwide, including 4 to 5 million women and children, is the largest single source of mercury emissions worldwide.
Pure Earth has spent more than a decade working in Peru and around the world to help miners shift to mercury-free methods. In Madre de Dios, their efforts have already reforested over ten hectares with more than 10,000 native trees, transforming once-scarred landscapes back into living ecosystems.
Since 2016, Pure Earth’s Pure Gold Jewelry Auction has brought together designers committed to responsible sourcing and environmental repair. This year’s event features contributions from Andrea José, Brilliant Earth, Dana Bronfman, Christina Malle Jewelry, and more. The auction will take place on November 3, 2025, both online and at The Current in New York City, where Nathalie Kelley will appear as a special guest.
For Kelley, this isn’t just about adornment, but connection to land, to ancestors, and to the women leading the fight for clean water and sustainable futures in the Peruvian Amazon. Her necklace doesn’t just sparkle, it carries the story of an ecosystem reborn.
Learn more about the Pure Gold Auction and Pure Earth’s work at pureearth.org.
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