Argentine designer transforms coffee capsules into contemporary jewelry
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Andrea de Navarrete, an Argentine designer from Buenos Aires, creates contemporary jewelry from discarded coffee capsules.
She began by noticing the metallic sheen of used capsules and reimagining them as raw material, founding ADNJewelry to transform industrial waste into wearable art. Her work has gained international recognition, and she was selected to participate in MAD About Jewelry 2026 at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York.
De Navarrete’s pieces reflect a shift in jewelry design, moving away from valuing only precious materials towards prioritizing materials, processes, and concepts. Her background in communication and a childhood fascination with transforming objects shaped her artistic approach, leading her to explore the relationship between people and everyday objects. She sees her jewelry as a way to challenge perceptions of value and luxury. The designer emphasizes that contemporary jewelry now functions as cultural commentary and conversation starters, rather than simply ornamentation.
Working with recycled capsules requires extensive technical research, as the materials were not originally intended for long-term wear. De Navarrete embraces the imperfections and unique qualities that arise from handcrafting each piece, believing that these qualities resist the standardization of industrial production and highlight the value of time and skilled labor. Her jewelry encourages a slower, more deliberate way of observing the world, offering wearers pieces that express individuality and invite curiosity.
De Navarrete transforms waste into precious surfaces, sparking a dialogue about identity, perception, and material culture.
