Lia Wright
Founder, LW Golden Grass

What is Golden Grass jewellery?
It is biojewellery made from a special material called ‘golden grass’, which is a naturally golden-coloured grass found only in the central part of Brazil. Due to its golden hue, local artisans transform the plant stem into an eco-friendly, self-sustainable handmade accessory, creating unique designs by adding gold plated metal and gemstones. These items often include earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and more. They are popular for their natural beauty and have become an important source of income for the original Brazilian tribes that reside in this part of the country.

What made you decide to set up this business in Bahrain?
I am originally from Brazil, so while on vacation, I got to know this amazing product and decided to investigate its origin. I was happily surprised to learn that not only was the plant protected by law, which makes its commercialisation sustainable, but it gave me the opportunity to tell a story that has transformed so many lives. Gold is a sought-after colour in the Middle East and its unique designs were very well accepted in Bahrain. I noticed that I was not only selling these handmade unique pieces but also working to multiply their sales, while promoting their story. The more I told how these plants are harvested, treated, designed and transformed into biojewellery, the more I sold. I was then able to help so many more artisans in Brazil that were limited to selling their pieces locally before. In less than five years, I sold more than 7,000 pieces, so you can only imagine the impact that Bahrain has caused and how happy it makes me to be part of this movement.

What are your plans for the future of the business?
My plans are to display/sell my biojewellery in more stores throughout Bahrain and export to other GCC countries. My longterm goal is to be able to sell worldwide and continue to expand my business. I would like to train Bahraini students to develop golden grass jewellery in other areas of the globe, maintaining its sustainability and price fairness. As we develop brand ambassadors and inspire younger entrepreneurs, we purchase more from Brazilian artisans and we create a network of growth in all aspects. It’s a win-win process and, in the end, our clients take home a beautiful accessory to wear, spreading the stories that they once heard me tell.