Interview with Helge Maren

For many years now, I’ve been personally committed to minimalism, a vegan lifestyle, and zero waste. At some point, the desire within me grew stronger and stronger to not only live by my values in private, but also to combine everything I’ve learned and everything that has become so important to me with my passion for jewelry design. I believe in future-proof luxury.

And that is exactly where I come in with Maren Jewellery: I want to offer high-quality, handmade, and sustainable luxury jewelry made from recycled gold and conflict-free lab-grown diamonds—quietly designed and timeless, able to accompany its wearers throughout their lives. I believe it is so important to stand up for your values and to try to drive change wherever possible. Because everyone has what it takes to make our world a better place. That is exactly what I do with Maren Jewellery in my industry: jewelry design.

I find the thought that jewelry has existed longer than clothing truly fascinating. People seem to have a deep desire within them to adorn themselves and to express through jewelry all that is important, sacred, and inseparable from them. The most personal things are expressed in the way we adorn ourselves. Therefore, I perceive jewelry as a profoundly intimate and meaningful, yes, mindful object. I also find it really important to be aware of this: My jewelry becomes the emotional expression of another person. And this mindfulness is also demanded of me by each piece of jewelry when I create it.

I prefer to be inspired by nature. For example of flowers, which are a role model for me in clear, calm lines. But also of moods. For example, when the fog lies on the forest early in the morning or the glistening of a waterfall in the sunlight. I then try to imagine that I'm seeing these things for the first time and then I start to see the lines and patterns of nature that inspire me to create new pieces of jewelry. But vintage objects also radiate something inspiring. For example, an heirloom from my grandma was the origin of mineReMind series. In general, when designing, I am interested in how much I can leave out in order to give my jewelery a timeless calm without taking away the special that makes the respective piece of jewelery special.

Even as a child I was fascinated by jewelry. How it gives its wearer that special something, without which the person might not be understood in depth, as was possible through the jewelry. When I was about 15 years old, I already knew: I willjewelry designer. Then I did an internship in a small goldsmith and was enchanted. I've wanted to do this all my life! The combination of craftsmanship and design made me feel at home straight away. I then studied jewelry and objects of everyday culture in Pforzheim, which helped me a lot, especially on an artistic level. Later, I continued to work on my understanding of design in various large jewelry companies for more than 10 years, until I realized that it was time for something new, something of my own..