By purchasing a Kukudushi you buy into social entrepreneurship and sustainable production practices, furthering standards of living across the Caribbean for people and animals alike.
The core ingredient of our products is the transformed shell of the Kokolishi di Kalakuna.
A snail that is local to Curaçao, that sheds its shell naturally on our sandy beaches.
Our Curaçaoan colleagues are trained as Maestros to create and embellish our jewelry. Every Kukudushi carries the unique identification stamp of the maestro responsible for its creation.
We support local non-governmental organisations that help to preserve the natural surroundings of the Caribbean and its inhabitants, people and animals alike. The care for our environment.
Our jewelry is not only real Caribbean beauty, but it also provides a connection with real animals on your smartphone, strengthening the bond between people and nature’
By purchasing Kukudushi you buy into social entrepreneurship and sustainable production practices, furthering standards of living across the Caribbean.
Kukudushi is on a mission, making an impact in the local communities where we operate.
To create unique, handcrafted jewelry from Carribean’s natural resources, integrating NFC technology to adopt and track real animals via GPS.
We are committed to the protection of animal life and their natural habitat. We empower locals with barriers to employment and help them to develop skills and independence.
We empower people and animals alike through our own endeavours and the active contribution by donating and engaging in strategic partnerships with NGOs.
To be a global example in sustainability, innovation and social entrepreneurship by creating connections between people, animals and the environment through handcrafted, technology-enhanced jewelry.
While hiking across the beautiful island of Curaçao with my wife, we often came across small snails. They were usually stuck to a rock or the trunk of a tree. We discovered that these were charming little snails found only on Curaçao. They are commonly known as Kokolishi di Kalakuna (turkey shell). I was facinated by these unique little creatures. Immediately after birth, they begin constructing their intricate and delicate shells, which serve as a lifelong protection against environmental influences. When they reach adulthood, the construction ends with an elegant opening—an architectural marvel.
These snails possess a remarkable ability: they can seal themselves off from the outside world, adhering to a rock or tree. A thin membrane covers the opening of their shell, providing protection. This allows them to regulate their moisture levels and survive in isolation for up to two years, waiting for better times, such as a refreshing rain shower.
Many of the snail shells found on the ground are abandoned. The snail likely died of old age, leaving behind its empty, fascinating shell as a small fossil. I began collecting some of these abandoned shells, thinking they could be crafted into a beautiful pendant. After a year and a half of experimenting and refining, I succeeded in creating the Kukudushi from the abandoned Kokolishi di Kalakuna. It is an elegant piece of jewelry with a magical functionality. In the fall of 2021, Kukudushi Korsou was founded—purpose driven with natural products and local employees.
-Patrick Gruijters (Founder)
Kukudushi artisans are trained as they perfect their craftmanship and ascend to the rank of Maestro. They then apply their identifying seal onto every Kukudushi that passes their skilled hands. They are responsible for our high quality products.
With a process spanning at least 72 hours, every Kukudushi is meticulously made by hand. The shell, chosen with care, bears the mark of the island life. Through skilled hands, it is transformed into a one-of-a-kind piece of interactive jewelry.
As you hold a Kukudushi in your hands, know that it carries not just the spirit of the island, but the artistry, passion, and dedication of our local artisans weaving a story that becomes uniquely yours.
We’ve forged meaningful partnerships with local NGOs and charities, making a genuine impact to people and planet. One of our key partners is Green Phenix who collect plastic waste and transform it into high quality resources that the local community can use to create products. A great example is our Kukudushi Maestro Luna pendant, that features recycles plastic in the form of our moon that even lights up when it is tapped to your phone!
Another of our key partners is the Branch Coral Foundation, that strives to preserve and expand the coral of the Carribean and beyond.
Our commitment to uplifting communities is set to expand even further in the near future. Half of our workforce experienced a distance to the labour market, a gap that we helped bridge. We are developing a programme that enables people with intellectual disabilities to participate in the product process of our jewelry.
At Kukudushi we care about Planet and People over Profit.
