Friend of a Friend: Amina Egwuatu
The content of this article is the opinion of the writer and was written for The Source
Amina Egwuatu and colleague in Tucson, AZ in 2020. Photo credit: Amina Egwuatu
Friend of a Friend: Amina Egwuatu
Remember conferences and trade shows and the lovely people you met there? The week of meetings and fun that revolve around gemstones is known simply as “Tucson” in the jewelry industry.
Tucson last took place in February 2020, just a few weeks before the world shut down. Tucson was always a chance to meet people from around the world, and lucky me: I hit the jackpot in 2020. My booth was next to Amina Egwuatu of Abuja, Nigeria and Debra Navarro of Wichita, Kansas; under the Women’s Jewelry Association, or WJA, banner.
Friends of Friends are invited to answer the following questions by email. Their answers may have been lightly edited for clarity.
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Christina Malle: Please tell us where you are, what beverage you are enjoying, and one sentence about your day so far.
Amina Egwuatu: A glass of milk. Just woke and am getting the day started [in Abuja, Nigeria] with a social media post for my brand, @mina_stones.
CM: How did you first get involved in the jewelry world?
AE: With my obsession for gemstones, I started in middle school, by changing watch straps with pearls and hematite gemstones.
CM: Are you a smith or a maker? Do you routinely get your hands dirty/chapped/chipped and filed?
AE: Yes, I enjoy getting my hands dirty, and nails chapped every once in a while, as it serves as a way to connect to my craft and also as an opportunity to ensure that my clients receive the best.
CM: If not, who fabricates on your behalf?
AE: I now work with my team and we have our various levels of input.
Amina Egwuatu is a jeweler, gemstone dealer, and leader of initiatives for women and responsible gemstone practices. Photo credit: Amina Egwuatu
CM: How did you first start learning about issues of environmental impact, responsible sourcing, and green practices in the jewelry world?
AE: Earlier in my journey, and at the start of my GIA courses, I had researched gemstones found in Nigeria and fell in love [with them], which pushed me to make further inquiries. Assessing the impact of mining in the communities was also important, as I practiced a “do no harm” mentality for the community. I also viewed gemstones as a pathway to elevate these communities out of poverty, and the only way to do so efficiently is if the gemstones are traceable and have some type of structure.
CM: Go-to vendors or suppliers whom you find trustworthy? Do they share confirmable, vettable information about their own supply chains?
AE: Yes they do, as most of them are the artisan miners working directly in the pits or part of the actual mining process.
Please list five things readers can do to make their bench, studio workspace or business more ethical, responsible, or ‘green.’
Reuse materials
Treat staff fairly (miners and other workers in your supply chain)
Follow ethical standards for jewelry and gemstones
Complete disclosure in all dealings
Traceability of materials
CM: What books are on your bedside table?
AE:
Educated – Tara Westover
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People – Steven Covey
Becoming – Michelle Obama
CM: Favorite websites, authors, books?
AE:
Malcolm Gladwell, author of one of my favorite books: Outliers
I love Tumblr nature and Africa-inspired blogs
CM: Helpful mantras that keep you motivated, balanced, or just sane?
AE: Focus on the core purpose – motivates and helps me avoid distractions where I can.
CM: Favorite way to unwind, relax, gain perspective…
AE: Music and engaging with nature. Also, I enjoy writing, as I use it to reflect my thoughts.
Designs by Mina Stones, featuring Nigerian gemstones. Photo credit: Amina Egwuatu
CM: Is music part of your day? Any favorites?
AE: Yes it is, and I like new age and contemporary gospel, amongst others.
CM: Any triumph, big or small, you would like to share, along with a takeaway?
AE: Planning the 1st Gem and Jewelry show in West Africa was a rewarding experience, as it showed that I can do anything I set my mind to — and also opened up lifetime relationships in other parts of the world.
CM: Any setback you would like to share, along with a takeaway?
AE: Dealing in a sector that is unstructured and unorganized has been a challenge, but with a few dedicated individuals we have been able to make a positive impact in the mining sector. We continue to strive.
CM: How can we, all of us, collectively, make the world a more harmonious and just place?
AE: I think we are already working in line with this by being socially conscious, although I do recognize there needs to be much more effort towards advocacy and the plight of the less privileged. We need to create resilient strategies that will help form sustainable livelihoods for others.
CM: If you could shadow any jeweler or maker, dead or alive, while he/she/they worked in the studio, whom would it be?
AE: Labi Kapo, Andrew Grima
CM: Are there any other artistic or creative people, dead or alive, you find yourself consistently thinking about for inspiration in your work? Artistically or business-wise.
AE: Steve Jobs
CM: Advice to a recent college graduate or anyone starting out in a new job?
AE: Always seek to create or add value.
CM: Is there anything you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting out as a maker/entrepreneur/artist/innovator...?
AE: That passion is more than essential, but there needs to be a balance for business to thrive.
