[SUNSTAR DAVAO] Dabawenyo Entrepreneur Pioneers Sustainable, Lab-Grown Jewelry

Feb 8, 2026   •   Rojean Grace G. Patumbon

IN ONE of the most iconic scenes in cinematic history, Marilyn Monroe once said that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. This way of thinking changes once one learns that mining these precious jewels involves extractive practices that cause land degradation, habitat loss, and water contamination.

However, one homegrown company offers a better alternative to these processes of mining these precious stones, providing the same shine and quality without the environmental harm.

Industrial Engineer Katriana Batu, owner of Pristine Paradigm, shared that her fascination with jewels began with her grandmother, who has a vast collection of jewelry. However, these jewels are produced through extractive mining and often come at a high cost.

Sustainability beyond jewelry

Batu shared that Pristine Paradigm’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its jewelry to its packaging and delivery processes. The company uses honeycomb wrappers, plant-based mailers, and biodegradable tape to reduce waste.

She added that they have partnered with Davao City–based recycling organizations to repurpose some of their plastic waste.

Pristine Paradigm has also partnered with the Philippine Eagle Foundation (PEF) through the “Planting Hope, One Ring at a Time” program, where a portion of ring sales goes toward reforestation efforts in the habitat of the country’s national bird, the Philippine Eagle.

Starting Pristine Paradigm 

Batu said that Pristine Paradigm is the only jewelry business that exclusively sells lab-grown gemstones, unlike other stores that offer both natural and lab-grown stones.

She shared that she began posting online and eventually amassed a following of 200,000 across all platforms. Most of their sales come from abroad, particularly from Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Locally, their top markets are Metro Manila, Cebu, and Davao City.

On naming her company, Batu said she wanted an alliterative name, one that repeats the same consonant sound at the beginning of each word. After searching for the right adjective, she came across “Pristine,” followed by “Paradigm,” which signifies a paradigm shift, hence the name Pristine Paradigm, symbolizing a shift toward a new kind of jewelry.

“It’s really a paradigm shift, a new type of concept when it comes to the jewelry industry,” she said.