RAPAPORT… Jewelry designer James de Givenchy partnered with Fonderie 47 for a limited edition collection of jewelry crafted from AK47 steel, sustainably-sourced 18-karat rose gold and platinum, and conflict-free diamonds. Fonderie 47 removes AK47s from war zones in Africa and melts down the metal to make jewelry and other accessories.
”I believe that I was destined to make this collection for Fonderie 47; The Phoenix Collection is at once whimsical, cheerful, and powerful. It embodies rebirth and thus is revolutionary in the proper sense of the word,” said de Givenchy. ”I would like the wearer to feel how they are agents of the change that will be made.” 
The Phoenix Collection by de Givenchy features four handcrafted jewelry pieces for women and an objet d’art, an egg crafted from AK47 steel and diamonds. The Phoenix Collection debuted at a private exhibition in New York City this past weekend and may be purchased through Fonderie 47.
Peter Thum, the co-founder of Fonderie 47, said, ”The collection realizes new possibilities against the destructive past of the AK47. Each piece carries the power to destroy the tools of conflict and to reinterpret and transform the meaning of our ideals, our actions and our adornments.”
Sales benefit Fonderie 47’s mission through partnerships with non-governmental organizations. So far, Fonderie 47 has destroyed more than 20,000 assault rifles in Africa.