Capitol File Magazine
Site menu
  • Parties
  • People
  • Food & Drink
  • Home & Real Estate
  • Style & Beauty
  • More
    • Culture
    • Lifestyle
    • Watches & Jewelry
    • Magazine
    • Video
    • GreenGale Network
    • Media Kits
  • Digital Edition
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising Info
Sign Up     

Parties

See More
Read More
Capitol File celebrates Lisa Ling's January / February Cover at The St. Regis
Read More
Arc The. Hotel Grand Opening Party
Read More
Art of the Party

People

See More
Read More
Chef Marc Hennessy on the Birkin Bag of Beef
Read More
How 2 Young Sparkling Winemakers Are Transforming Top Brands
Read More
Production Designer Diana Trujillo on Taking the Set Home

Food & Drink

See More
Read More
Chef Marc Hennessy on the Birkin Bag of Beef
Read More
How 2 Young Sparkling Winemakers Are Transforming Top Brands
Read More
5 Perfect Valentine's Day Dinner Spots in D.C.

Home & Real Estate

See More
Read More
Bring a Wordly Touch to Your Home with Roche Bobois' Latest Designer Collection
Read More
Interior Designer Kelley Proxmire Partners with Kravet on a Namesake Fabric
Read More
This Exclusive Event Space Was Once a Hunt Country Estate

Style & Beauty

See More
Read More
Here's What First Lady Melania Trump Wore to the State of the Union Address
Read More
Bluemercury Gears up for Valentine's Day With Romantic Beauty
Read More
Celebrity Master Esthetician Sarah Akram Opens New Facial Destination: Sarah Akram Skincare
Culture
Read More
Lifestyle
Read More
Watches & Jewelry
Read More
Magazine
Read More
Video
Read More
GreenGale Network
Read More
Media Kit
Read More

Search Our Site

Share

Alberto Parada's Eco-Friendly Accessories

by jill hudson neal | September 17, 2012 | People

1 - Alberto Parada's Eco-Friendly Accessories

Sustainable excellence: Eco-conscious jeweler Alberto Parada, at Amethyst Boutique.

Starting a fine jewelry business on the cusp of the worst American economic downturn since the Great Depression can be, well, depressing. But that’s what award-winning designer Alberto Parada did in 2007 when he launched a small collection of bold, sculptural jewelry using conflictfree diamonds, colored fair-trade gemstones, and 18k reclaimed gold.

Today Parada is a leader in the sustainable fine jewelry movement, but those first couple of years spent trying to get his wares into more stores were not easy, the New York native admits. “My business started in one store in Indianapolis at the beginning of the economic downturn,” says the 43-year-old self-taught designer. “It was very, very tough to expand and get traction. But about two years ago, I started to hit my stride. Now we’re in 25 stores nationwide.”

Parada, whose parents are from South America, has stayed true to his primary design mission since the beginning. His responsible method of doing business is a growing trend in the eco-luxury market, but his personal approach to designing for his client list—which includes DC political and social insiders, almost the entire cast of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, and other red-carpet-ready Hollywood starlets such as Milla Jovovich—has Parada poised to push his business to greater heights.

“The movie Blood Diamond brought the issue of conflict-free jewels and metal mining a lot of attention, but then it faded away,” says Parada, who attended both T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria and Bishop O’Connell High School in Arlington, and studied business and international finance at Georgetown University. “I’ve stuck with it. I don’t do it because it makes my line easier to sell.

“The idea is to not only buy something that looks good, but that makes you feel good while you’re wearing it,” he adds. “Most of my clients are single, independent women who can and do buy their own jewelry, without it having to be a gift. They’re women who make their own decisions, who want to stand out.”

A typical Parada piece possesses an elegant, architectural quality. His necklaces and cocktail rings, often made with his signature 18k rose gold and accented with black diamonds, call to mind the works of great Modernist artists such as Piet Mondrian.

Amy Hugo, owner of Amethyst Contemporary Designer Jewelry in Bethesda, one of three Washington-area retailers that sell his rings, earrings, necklaces, and cuffs, describes Parada’s pieces as “traditional but not staid.” “Alberto has a European flair. His style stays consistent year after year without being boring,” she says.

Parada says he hopes to add one particularly stylish woman to his client list. “Mrs. Obama would be my ideal client!” Parada effuses. “She’s bigger than anyone; she’s worldwide.”

Tags: style personalities jewelry eco friendly fall 2012 jewelry designers alberto parada amethyst contemporary designer jewelry


photography by greg powers


Around the Web

Popular Posts

Read More

February 11, 2019

Capitol File celebrates Lisa Ling's January / February Cover at The St. Regis
Read More

February 7, 2019

Arc The. Hotel Grand Opening Party
Read More

February 7, 2019

Art of the Party

Read the digital edition from Modern Luxury

View Digital Edition

 

 

Click here to read  
the Digital Editions

OR SUBSCRIBE TO THE PRINT EDITION:

SUBSCRIBE

  • Contact Us
  • Advertising Info
  • Digital Editions
  • Online Ad Specs
  • Print Ad Specs
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
     logo
    • Aspen
      • Aspen
      • Aspen Peak
      • Epic Life
    • Atlanta
      • The Atlantan
      • Jezebel
      • Modern Luxury Weddings Atlanta
      • Modern Luxury Interiors Atlanta
      • Charity & Social Datebook Atlanta
    • Boston
      • Boston Common
      • Modern Luxury Weddings Boston
      • Modern Luxury Interiors Boston
    • Chicago
      • CS
      • NS
      • Michigan Avenue
      • Modern Luxury Weddings Chicago
      • Modern Luxury Weddings North Shore
      • Modern Luxury Interiors Chicago
      • Men's Book Chicago
      • Modern Luxury City Guide Chicago
      • Charity and Social Datebook Chicago
    • Dallas
      • Modern Luxury Dallas
      • Modern Luxury Weddings Dallas
      • Modern Luxury Interiors Texas
      • Charity and Social Datebook Dallas
    • The Hamptons
      • Beach
      • Hamptons
    • Hawai'i
      • Modern Luxury Hawaii
      • Ala Moana
    • Houston
      • Houston
      • Modern Luxury Weddings Houston
      • Modern Luxury Interiors Texas
      • Charity and Social Datebook Houston
    • Las Vegas
      • Vegas
    • Los Angeles
      • Angeleno
      • Los Angeles Confidential
      • Modern Luxury Weddings California
      • Modern Luxury Interiors California
      • Charity and Social Datebook Los Angeles
    • Miami
      • Miami
      • Ocean Drive
      • Modern Luxury Weddings South Florida
      • Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida
      • Charity and Social Datebook Miami
      • Styled
    • New York
      • Manhattan
      • Gotham
      • Charity and Social Datebook Manhattan
    • Orange County
      • Modern Luxury Orange County
      • Modern Luxury Weddings California
      • Modern Luxury Interiors California
      • Charity & Social Datebook Orange County
    • Palm Beach
      • Modern Luxury Palm Beach
    • Philadelphia
      • Philadelphia Style
    • San Diego
      • Modern Luxury San Diego
      • Modern Luxury Weddings California
      • Modern Luxury Interiors California
      • Charity & Social Datebook San Diego
    • San Francisco
      • San Francisco
      • Modern Luxury Weddings California
      • Modern Luxury Interiors California
      • CityGuide
      • Charity & Social Datebook San Francisco
    • Scottsdale
      • Scottsdale
      • Modern Luxury Interiors Scottsdale
    • Silicon Valley
      • Modern Luxury Silicon Valley
    • Washington, D.C.
      • DC
      • Capitol File
      • Modern Luxury Weddings Washington
      • Charity and Social Datebook DC
    • Watches
      • Tourbillon