About Biophilia
What is Biophilia?
Biophilia is our genetic affinity towards nature: that profound feeling of happiness and belonging when immersed in the natural world. Our jewellery is born from that feeling. Each piece is handcrafted with intention: a wearable celebration of nature's beauty, created to bring that sense of joy to every customer who wears it.
"To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow” – Audrey Hepburn
The Woman behind the Brand
I am Martmarie, the owner and founder of Biophilia Jewellery. I create handmade, quality jewellery from sustainably and ethically sourced fine materials. Inspired by nature and powered by love. The name Biophilia defines myself, my brand, and everything I adore and find endlessly inspiring.
Biophilia is a proudly one-woman brand, based in the heart of Stellenbosch, South Africa. I manage most of the designing, photography, social media and day-to-day running of the business myself, and I would not want it any other way. I work with extremely talented freelance goldsmiths and have collaborated with wonderful photographers, models, influencers and designers to bring the brand to life.
Where it all began
Biophilia was dreamt up during my years as a Pretoria teenager with big future creative ambitions. I chose Jewellery Design and Manufacture as an official school subject at Pretoria High School for Girls and fell deeply in love with the art of jewellery making.
I went on to study BA Humanities at the University of Stellenbosch, travelled, completed my Post Graduate Certificate in Education and pursued teaching in the Intermediate Phase for four years. Yet the lust and wonder of jewellery design never left my heart...I could not stop dreaming of creating beautiful, forever keepsakes.
The Moment Everything Changed
I woke up one day and decided I didn't want to buy costume jewellery anymore.
I craved timeless, stylish and quality handmade jewellery that would not lose its lustre after one season. I wanted jewellery I could treasure and hand down to future generations. I struggled to find a local brand in Pretoria that could solve this problem. I knew that was the sign I had been looking for.
At the end of 2019, I made the decision to leave my teaching career and follow my dream. Little did I know a worldwide pandemic was looming...but that didn't inhibit the birth of Biophilia. I completed a jewellery silversmithing refresher course, bought basic equipment with my savings, shut myself in my home studio during lockdown, and launched Biophilia in May of 2020.
Little did I know a worldwide pandemic was looming...but that didn't inhhibit the birth of Biophila
Growing with intention
Since our launch in 2020, I have been blessed, surprised, challenged and completely overwhelmed with the support, response and creativity that has filled every corner of Biophilia's heart.
One of my first goals was to become a maker at the prestigious Kamers / Makers pop-up market. In April 2022, I did exactly that and won Best Newcomer. It was the confirmation I needed to grow in confidence and take Biophilia to new heights.
Since then, the brand has grown steadily and I have met and served wonderful customers who trust me fully in designing and crafting pieces made to last a lifetime, and more.
A New Chapter
In April 2023, my husband, our bulldog George and I made the brave move to Stellenbosch, where we have lived ever since. In May 2025, I welcomed my first child, Elle-Marie and she completely transformed the way I view the world and made me a mother: the hardest, but proudest title I have ever carried.
Balancing motherhood and a business has been a beautifully challenging journey, and it has added an entirely new dimension of purpose and excitement to everything I create.
Our Values
🌿Connection to Nature Biophilia is more than our name — it is our north star. Every piece we design is rooted in our deep love of the natural world and the joy it brings. Nature is our greatest muse, our compass, and our constant inspiration.
♻️ Sustainable by Intention We believe beautiful jewellery should not cost the earth. Our silver and gold is sourced locally from reputable South African suppliers and refined from recycled metals — pre-loved pieces, studio offcuts, and reclaimed materials. Our pearls, diamonds and gemstones are sourced exclusively from suppliers who uphold strict fair and legal trade practices.
✋Handcrafted with Heart Every Biophilia piece is made by hand, with intention. We work slowly, carefully and lovingly — because we believe the energy poured into making a piece is carried by the person who wears it.
💛 Made to Last Generations We don't believe in jewellery that loses its lustre after one season. We create forever pieces — timeless, quality keepsakes designed to be treasured, passed down, and worn with pride for a lifetime and beyond.
🤝 Community over Competition Biophilia was built on the support of a community — our customers, collaborators, photographers, goldsmiths and fellow makers who believed in us from the beginning. We are deeply grateful and endlessly inspired by the people who wear our pieces.
👩👧 Real People, Real Stories We are a proudly one-woman brand based in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Behind every piece is a real person: a maker, a mother, a nature lover, who pours herself into every creation. When you wear Biophilia, you wear a piece of that story.
Thank you for taking the time to read our story. We would love to become part of yours.
Explore our collection and find pieces that was made for you
