Recién Llovido: Handmade Jewellery Honouring Nature from Its Origins
Twenty years ago, Silvia Valenciano left Barcelona to return to her childhood village. It was in Els Hostalets de Balenyà (Osona) that she established her handcrafted jewellery workshop and boutique, giving birth to the Recién Llovido brand.
Silvia crafts jewellery with a sensitivity that captures the essence of nature, her greatest source of inspiration. Each new collection is a tribute to Mother Earth, who gives us life, nourishment, and shelter. Through her work, she aims to raise awareness about the importance of respecting our planet. “I feel very sorry for what we humans are causing. We don’t realise that if we destroy nature, we destroy ourselves. We are nature, and if we don’t take care of it, we will become extinct,” she says.
From the very beginning, sustainability has been a core value, which she has implemented in various ways: first, by creating the most ecological packaging solutions, reusing and transforming clients’ metals, and later, after extensive research and study, by committing to traceable materials of responsible origin.
As she delved deeper into the issues surrounding mining and the ‘recycled’ metal industry, she discovered market alternatives that better align with her philosophy and values. She aimed to work with artisanal raw materials sourced from small mining organisations that adhere to fair trade, human rights, and environmental protection standards. These organisations also generate a positive social impact by supporting community development and environmental improvement projects. She sought these materials from her usual suppliers but was unsuccessful. Consequently, she decided to implement a series of changes.
She started with Fairmined metal, planning to introduce it in three collections. She quickly obtained the necessary license and found a new trusted supplier. In 2023, she launched Jardí, her first collection crafted with Fairmined silver and responsibly sourced coloured gemstones. She also incorporated Fairmined gold and silver into wedding rings, custom orders, and some stock jewellery. In her monographs and jewellery workshops, she alternates between Fairmined silver and reused silver, depending on whether the sessions are more professional or introductory.
In just one year since starting her journey towards ethical and sustainable jewellery, Silvia has successfully integrated responsibly sourced materials into every aspect of her production! Regarding her wedding rings, Silvia notes that all her silver rings are now made with Fairmined silver and have been very well received by her customers. “When I explain the story behind the metal and its added value, especially for pieces with such a high emotional component, the response is usually the best I could have hoped for,” she says.
Furthermore, Silvia actively participates in community initiatives to promote local crafts, agroecology, green energy, and environmental recovery. She is firmly committed to Balenyà Sostenible, a non-profit cooperative dedicated to advancing energy transition in the municipality. In her workshop, Silvia has implemented all measures for energy saving, efficiency, and the use of renewable energy resources. She is also part of Pam a Pam, the map of the social and solidarity economy in Catalonia, and alTERna’t, the network for the social and solidarity economy in Osona.
