About Biophilia

Biophilia is defined as our genetic affinity towards the natural world. 

I am Martmarie, the owner and founder of Biophilia jewellery. I aim to create handmade, quality jewellery from sustainably sourced materials. I'm inspired by nature and powered by love, hence the name "Biophilia" which defines myself, my brand and everything I adore.

Biophilia was dreamt up during my years as a Pretoria teenager with big future ambitions. I chose jewellery design and manufacture as an official school subject at Pretoria High school for Girls and fell in love with the art of jewellery making. 

I studied BA Humanities at the University of Stellenbosch, travelled America, did my Post Graduate Certificate in Education at Unisa and pursued teaching Primary school for 4 years. The lust and wonder of jewellery design always remained in my heart and I could not stop dreaming of creating beautiful, forever keepsakes. I reached a point where I didn't want to buy costume jewellery anymore and I craved quality, locally made jewellery that I could keep and treasure. I knew that was the sign I was looking for, and I made the decision to quit my job as a teacher at the end of 2019. Little did I know there was a worldwide pandemic looming, but that didn't inhibit the birth of Biophilia. I did a quick jewellery silversmithing refresher course, bought basic jewellery equipment with my savings, shut myself in my home studio during lockdown...and launched Biophilia in May of 2020.

Since our launch in 2020, I've been blessed, surprised, challenged and completely overwhelmed with the support, response and creativity that has filled every crack of Biophilia's heart. 

One of my first goals and milestones was to become a "maker" at Kamers / Makers pop up market, which I did in April 2022 and I won Best Newcomer, which was the confirmation I needed to grow in confidence and take Biophilia to new heights. 

I'm a one-woman business and I manage most of the designing, photography, social media and admin by myself, and I would not want it any other way. I work with two extremely talented freelance goldsmiths and have collaborated with wonderful photographers, models and designers to bring my brand to life. 

Biophilia aims to soothe a yearning for the outdoors, a need to feel closer to nature and to tell love stories of love in the form of jewellery. Each piece is carefully designed and manufactured with the environment in mind. 

Sustainable ethos: 

Our company strives to respect the environment in all our practices. One of the the key ways we do this, is by using recycled metals in our pieces. Our silver and gold is bought locally from reputable suppliers. The metals are refined and recycled from pre-loved pieces, off cuts from jewellery design studios and elements from waste products such as x-rays.

For any enquiries, please contact us using the following, or fill in the contact form.