What Does Sustainability Mean To Us? The Story Behind the Brant, Our Most Iconic Piece

When a new customer enters my realm, I intuitively start by introducing the Brant, our most original and iconic piece. I can't help it!
Over time, I’ve come to realize this bracelet is more than just jewelry—it’s the bridge between my men’s and women’s collections, the first piece I designed that spoke so naturally to both genders.
But the Brant is not just a design; it’s a story of artistry, collaboration, and sustainability.
The Origins of the Brant
The Brant bracelet was born from a unique partnership with an incredibly talented Congolese artisan who has worked side by side with me for many years. This artisan performs magic with his hands. His ability to extract fibers from buffalo horn and transform them into something resembling elephant hair speaks volumes about his skill and ingenuity.
Our partnership began serendipitously. He was introduced to me through my brother’s ex-girlfriend, a woman from Zimbabwe, whose father had helped him leave the Congo when it became too dangerous for him to stay. When we met, our shared French language bridged the gap, as he doesn’t speak a word of English. Without him, ZADEH wouldn’t be what it is today.
A Labor of Love and Sustainability
The Brant bracelet is the epitome of artisanal craftsmanship. Each one undergoes several steps of creation, starting with repurposed buffalo horn—a byproduct of agricultural industries, primarily in Asia. The horn is scraped, cleaned, and manually sliced with a saw into thin fibers small enough to resemble hair. Each strand is polished and rounded by hand, each one tested for strength and durability.
It takes more than 30 strands to create a single bracelet, requiring patience and focus. This skilled master also makes the clasp—a mechanism often complimented for its ingenious design. The 18K gold clasp is cast through a heritage jewelry technique, called the "lost wax" casting. It is then hand polishing, which is done with different brushes to get a surface with an exceptional satin luster. Cast in different shades of gold, each clasp is measured to the millimeter for a perfect fit. Threading the fibers through the links like a puzzle and shaping them into an oval to fit the wrist is the final, most intricate step. 
This level of detail and care makes the Brant truly one of a kind. Each bracelet carries its own story, as every fiber comes from a different horn, ensuring no two pieces are ever the same.
Why Sustainability Matters
The Brant bracelet is a cornerstone of ZADEH’s commitment to sustainability. By using buffalo horn—a material that would otherwise go to waste—we honor the natural world and minimize environmental impact. Sustainability isn’t just about materials; it’s also about preserving the art of craftsmanship. This artisan works alone, without an apprentice to carry on his techniques, and he is aging...My goal is to preserve his know-how, by hopefully opening a small atelier so that he can pass on his techniques. As of now, each bracelet is a testament to his unmatched skill.
A Timeless Investment
If there is one piece that embodies ZADEH’s philosophy, it’s the Brant. It’s more than jewelry—it’s an investment in artistry and timeless style. Each bracelet remains as captivating today as it was the day it was first designed, evolving beautifully over time as the fibers develop a rich grayish patina.
The Brant is a foundational piece upon which you can build the rest of your jewelry "wardrobe". Those Cartier and Van Cleef classics would certainly welcome a touch of chic ZADEH to bring a fresh spark and spice up their style.

With the Brant, you choose a piece with meaning, where repurposed materials and artisan craftsmanship transform horn and gold into a rare, timeless and wearable art.