Bullets are being transformed into bling in Newark, New Jersey–a city outspoken about its gun violence problem.
Mayor Cory Booker has partnered with Jewelry For A Cause and the city police chief to design the “Caliber Collection.” JewelryForACause.net–a Connecticut-based jewelry maker–explains on its website:
“The Caliber Collection is a series of pieces that embody the gun’s transformation from a destructive weapon to a powerful symbol of renewal.”
According to Reuters, “Guns and shell casings seized by the Newark Police are being melted down and made into bracelets by [the] jewelry company. A portion of proceeds from each sale goes to fund gun buy-back amnesty programs in New Jersey’s largest city.”
The collection delivers steel bangles and cuffs, engraved with the serial number of the illegal gun used to create it. Brass pieces are fashioned from casings taken from crime scenes in the city. The line, designed by Jessica Mindich, has raised over $20,000 since its debut on November 28, Booker said:
“[The jewelry and buy-back program] are not a cure-all, but everybody has the power to do something little, something small to make a difference.”
Interest in the jewelry line has increased since the school shootings in Newtown, Connecticut took place and debate over U.S. gun control laws resurfaced.
Cuffs and bracelets are available with or without diamonds and range in price from $150 for the steel cuff to $375 for the brass bangle with diamonds.
