View from Mount Christoffel over Christoffel National Park, Curaçao

Made in Curaçao · Est. 2021

Handcrafted on Curaçao.
Connected to the wild

From a tiny Curaçao snail to wildlife-tracking jewelry. Locally handcrafted with sustainable materials, connecting you to real wildlife and its protection.

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The Curaçao coast where the first Kukudushi shells were found

Our Story

It started with a hike on beautiful Curaçao

While hiking across the beautiful island of Curaçao with my wife, we kept finding small snails clinging to rocks and tree trunks. Charming little creatures found only here, known as Kokolishi di Kalakuna, the turkey shell.

I was fascinated. From birth they build intricate, delicate shells as lifelong protection, finishing in adulthood with an elegant opening, an architectural marvel.

Many shells on the ground are abandoned, small fossils left behind. I began collecting them, wondering if they could become a beautiful pendant. After eighteen months of experimenting the Kukudushi was born, and in the fall of 2021 we founded Kukudushi Korsou: purpose driven, with natural products and local craftspeople.

Patrick GruijtersFounder, Kukudushi Korsou

Kokolishi di Kalakuna

The turkey shell, our little architect

Immediately after birth these snails begin constructing their intricate, delicate shells: a lifelong protection against the elements, finished in adulthood with an elegant opening that is a small architectural marvel.

Found only in the Caribbean, they possess a remarkable ability. They can seal themselves off from the outside world, adhering to a rock or tree behind a thin membrane that covers the opening of their shell. This lets them regulate their moisture and survive in isolation for up to two years, waiting for better times, such as a refreshing rain shower.

Many of the shells found on the ground are abandoned. The snail has likely died of old age, leaving behind its empty, fascinating shell as a small fossil. We collect only these abandoned shells, giving each one a second life as a pendant that will be worn and treasured.

Endemic to the CaribbeanSurvives sealed for up to 2 yearsOnly abandoned shells collected

Close-up of Kokolishi di Kalakuna shells on driftwood

A Kompayon keychain made from recycled plastic

Green Phenix · Recycled plastic

A second life for plastic, our Kompayon line

Another sustainable material is recycled plastic. Working with Green Phenix, a local Curaçao recycler, we turn waste plastic that would otherwise pollute our island and oceans into something worth keeping.

Green Phenix collects and processes discarded plastic and provides us with the recycled material we use to make our Kompayon line: keychains and bracelets shaped from what others threw away.

Every Kompayon carries the same purpose as our shell pieces, connecting you to wildlife while keeping plastic out of the wild.

Made from recycled plasticIn partnership with Green PhenixKeychains & bracelets

What drives us

Mission

To create unique, handcrafted jewelry from the Caribbean'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 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.

Vision

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.

How we make it

Natural materials, made by hand

Every Kukudushi is finished by local craftspeople on the island. We choose materials that come from nature, and increasingly, materials given a second life.

The island shell

Abandoned Kokolishi di Kalakuna shells, collected by hand, form the heart of our pendants. No two are exactly alike.

Local craftsmanship

Each piece is assembled and finished on Curaçao, creating skilled work and independence for people who face barriers to employment.

Recycled plastic

Our Kompayon line is made from upcycled Caribbean beach plastic, turning ocean waste into something worth keeping.

How we started

From a hillside snail to a wild connection

2019
A snail on a Curaçao hike
Hiking the island with my wife, we kept meeting the little Kokolishi di Kalakuna clinging to rocks and trees. I started collecting the abandoned shells left behind.
Autumn 2020
Experimenting toward a pendant
It took eighteen months of trial and error to turn a fragile shell into a piece of jewelry that could be worn every day.
September 2021
Kukudushi Korsou is founded
We launched purpose driven, with natural products and local craftspeople, and the first Kukudushi was born.
Early 2023
Partners and NFC tracking
We added NFC technology so every piece links to a real animal, and began partnering with conservation and recycling organisations, starting with Green Phenix.
November 2023
Our own selling location opens
We opened our first shop at Plaza di Arte, a home on the island where you can see and hold the pieces in person.

The people behind it

Made by a small island team

Every Kukudushi is shaped by hand by our Curaçaoan colleagues, trained as Maestros. Each piece carries the personal seal of the Maestro who made it, the mark of at least 72 hours of careful handwork.

Patrick Gruijters

Founder

Dreamed up Kukudushi on a Curaçao hillside and still guides every design.

Richèl

Managing Director

James

Business Manager

Laurens den Hollander

Operational Manager

Nick

Development & IT

Jemène

Production Supervisor

Manuelle

Sales Supervisor

Ansje

KukuDoIt Supervisor

Christy

KukuDoIt Artisan

Jill

Kukudushi Maestro

Nona

Kukudushi Maestro

Destiny

Maestro & Sales Associate

Mariam

Sales Associate

Join the adventure

Wear a piece of the island, protect a piece of the wild

Every Kukudushi connects you to a real animal and supports the people and places that keep our oceans and wildlife thriving.

Shop the collection

Handcrafted on Curaçao.Connected to the wild