the stories

artisans, materials, sustainability & impact.

behind the name 

the name truvai originates from the french word "trouvaille" pronounced /tro͞oˈvī/:

a lucky find; a chance encounter with something wonderful.

the meaning of this word perfectly encapsulates the story of truvai & the inspiration we hope each piece of jewellery brings, sparking wonderful chance encounters whether near or far.

our story

TRUVAI jewellery is a woman-owned canadian brand founded by jenny lillian, a mother of three who is behind every aspect of the brand — design, photography, website + socials, packaging & everything in-between.

where it all began

TRUVAI jewellery began as a vision to create a socially conscious brand that would embrace the essence of slow fashion — ensuring every piece was handmade in micro batches to minimize waste & designed with a timeless aesthetic that would transcend fleeting trends.

jenny founded TRUVAI jewellery in 2021, initially working with a family of artisans she met in vietnam. inspired by chance encounters with various other global artisans — from berber rug makers in the atlas mountains of north africa, to lantern makers hidden in the alleyways of southeast asia, she endeavoured to collaborate with off-the-beaten-path artisans around the world with the goal of ensuring that giveback was built in to the making of each piece.

with a focus on having positive social impact while using socially conscious materials, jenny works with artisans who use traditional handmade techniques & locally sourced materials — we use materials that are recycled + upcycled whenever possible & endeavour to support small scale artisanal miners & farmers.

each piece is thoughtfully designed by jenny while taking care to incorporate the ancient jewellery making methods of each artisan group.

TRUVAI jewellery represents the wonderful things that can happen when people & cultures collide. we believe in slowly-made jewellery — empowering global artisans & honouring the stories behind each & every piece.

KIBERA SLUMS, NAIROBI, KENYA

STORY
this collection was designed in canada & handmade by master artisans in one of the world’s largest informal settlements. this collection celebrates the creativity, skill, & resilience of master artisans in kibera, a vibrant hub pulsing with community spirit. roughly 250,000 people call kibera home, & while they face challenges like unemployment & limited infrastructure, the community continues to innovate & create.

LOCALLY SOURCED & SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
locally salvaged scrap metal, which is melted down & repurposed for our jewellery. each piece is finished with a hammered brass technique & 18kt gold plating. brass can be infinitely recycled without diminishing its composition, making it one of the most sustainable metals.

IMPACT
through this collection, artisans generate income to invest in schooling, housing, daily essentials & personal goals — creating meaningful impact in their own lives & within their community, while supporting a cleaner, more sustainable city.

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KAYEBE VILLAGE, GAYAZA, UGANDA

STORY
this collection was designed in canada & handmade by a small women's group of mothers & daughters in kayebe village, gayaza, uganda — where creativity, tradition, & community come together in every piece.

LOCALLY SOURCED & SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
stainless steel & locally sourced recycled paper, sealed with a water-resistant finish.

IMPACT
this collection helps preserve & pass down traditional paper bead-making techniques to younger generations — keeping cultural craftsmanship alive. the collaboration creates meaningful income opportunities for the artisans, supporting what matters most to them — from their children’s education & family meals to savings goals & community projects.

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CELUK VILLAGE, BALI, INDONESIA

STORY
this collection was designed in canada & handmade by master artisans in celuk village, indonesia — a balinese village known for its gold & silver craftsmanship for over a century. our artisans use traditional techniques which are now being replaced by 3d printing & casting.

LOCALLY SOURCED & SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
locally sourced pearls, including mabe, freshwater, & mother of pearl — set in sustainable gold vermeil.

{925 recycled sterling silver + 18kt gold plating}

IMPACT
this collection helps preserve the art of handmade traditional balinese techniques passed down to our artisans generationally & helps create income from their craft. the use of recycled silver protects our environment by reducing CO2 emissions associated with waste & mining, while our pearls support small scale farmers on the island of lombok.

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MURAD KHANI, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

STORY
this collection was designed in canada & handmade by master artisans in murad khani, kabul, afghanistan. the making of each piece supports the livelihoods of our afghan jewellers who have worked in isolation, cut off internationally for decades due to ongoing conflict.

LOCALLY SOURCED & SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS
locally sourced gemstones, including aquamarine, rose & milky quartz, green tourmaline & peridot stones — set in sustainable gold vermeil.

{925 recycled sterling silver + 18 kt gold plating}

IMPACT
this collection is made in collaboration with turquoise mountain — founded by king charles to focus on the regeneration of the afghan crafts industry & the rebuilding of old kabul. our locally sourced gemstones are artisanally mined & support local families.

birdie cuff bracelet - TRUVAI
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SHOP THE COLLECTIONS

beyond the jewellery, our packaging story

we collaborate with a danish packaging company with a focus on sustainability to bring you a planet-friendly packaging experience.

jewellery pouches

made with 100% organic cotton, our pouches are biodegradable & a perfect place to store your jewellery.

jewellery & postal boxes

made with buckram paper & corrugated cardboard materials sourced from a FSC certified sustainably managed forest that protects animal & plant life. sealed with water-based glue.