What if jewellery was grown?

Micromentum

Andrea Carrera, a biodesigner with a background in product design, created Micromentum—a project that reflects our belief in the transformative power of collaboration between human creativity and the living systems that surround us. This synergy perfectly captures our approach of working with nature rather than against it.

Andrea's journey began with a fundamental questioning of how the jewellery industry has always worked. For centuries, value has been dictated by scarcity—the rarer, the "precious." But Andrea asked a different question: 

What if the worth of jewellery could emerge not from what we take from the earth, but from what we nurture and grow?

This thinking led her to work with Sporosarcina Pasteurii bacteria. These tiny organisms gradually create calcium carbonate—the same mineral found in shells—transforming soft, gel-like structures into solid, crystallised forms. What makes this remarkable is that the shapes aren't created by human tools, but by the natural behaviour of the bacteria themselves.

The result is a complete reimagining of how jewellery can be made. Instead of mining precious metals and stones, Andrea collaborates with living microorganisms in carefully controlled environments. This isn't extraction—it's cultivation. Each ring becomes a unique record of how the bacteria grew and expressed themselves. This process introduces a new kind of sophistication—one rooted in time, patience, and a genuine partnership between human creativity and microbial life. 

As Andrea explains: 

"More than adornments, this collection grows from mutual influence. The pieces emerge from moments where control gives way to collaboration, evolving from hydrogels into crystallised forms. Each one redefines the value of jewellery, shaped through care and patience to embrace the unpredictable beauty of bacterial expressions."

This approach creates a natural connection between Micromentum and FKA Haeckels. While we work with seaweed harvested from the Kent coast and Andrea cultivates bacteria in laboratory conditions, we're both celebrating the beauty and potential of natural systems. Both approaches recognise that some of our most extraordinary innovations come from the most unexpected partnerships.

By celebrating Micromentum, we align ourselves with the broader movement toward regenerative design, embracing innovative practices that harmonise with natural systems. Andrea's project exemplifies the kind of creativity that invites us to rethink making, materials, and the delicate relationship between life and design.

Ultimately, Andrea shows us that true beauty arises when we collaborate with the living world instead of depleting it. In Micromentum, bacteria become the jewellers, and jewellery transforms into a vibrant celebration of life itself.

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References: Andrea Carrera