As Mardi Gras celebrations fill the streets of New Orleans, one scientist has proposed making the festival more eco-friendly by replacing plastic beads with ones made from algae. Mardi Gras beads, thrown into the crowds by parading krewes on Fat Tuesday, add tens of thousands of pounds of plastic waste into the environment every year. The scientist’s biggest hurdle is the high cost of his eco-friendly bead alternative. Algae cultures grown in LSU biologist Naohiro Kato’s lab. Louisiana State University Department of Biological Sciences Professor Naohiro Kato has patent applications pending for the process of making biodegradable beads from the aquatic organisms. We have great resources to make our Mardi Gras celebrations more sustainable and to protect our environment and health,’ Kato said in a statement. I believe we can change and do better. My student was supposed to come into the lab three nights in a row to move our test tube samples of algae from the centrifuge to the freezer, but one night he forgot,’ Kato said. Members of the Krewe Of Saint Anne march down Royal Street Mardi Gras Day on Tuesday in New Orleans. After experimentation, Kato found that a gallon of microalgae culture could produce a few biodegradable beads. A VERY elaborate gender reveal! Kato estimates that it will cost about $40,000 to produce the first batch of 3,000 biodegradable bead necklaces, or about $13 per necklace. Kato stumbled across his biodegradable alternative accidentally, after one of his lab assistants botched his assignment. The next morning, Kato found a large glob of algae in the centrifuge accumulating oils, one of the ingredients used for bioplastic production.

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That is about ten times the cost of traditional plastic beads. The by-product after extracting fucoxanthin includes other proteins from the algae that would be used to make the biodegradable beads. Kato claims that he can sell about one pound of the powered form of fucoxanthin for roughly $50,000. Every year, beads add tens of thousands of pounds to the environment after Mardi Gras. Meanwhile, Kato hopes another market for his algae products could offset the costs of making biodegradable beads. From the diatoms he has grown, Kato has been able to extract an antioxidant called fucoxanthin, which is highly sought in the nutritional supplement industry. LSU Professor in Composites and Engineered Wood Products Qinglin Wu is also working on developing a variation of beads made with wood fiber, which also could be used to make Mardi Gras throws more environmentally friendly. Kato said he is in discussion with a nutraceutical company and awaiting a contract in order to begin production of biodegradable Mardi Gras beads. Kato claims a second batch could be produced for $1 or less per necklace, and has been raising money from grants and angel investors.

If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver.

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The brand focuses on creating timeless, versatile pieces tailored to the modern woman’s everyday wardrobe. Founded by Amelia Hitchcock-Merritt in the middle of lockdown at just eighteen, Bijoux De Mimi became one of the fastest growing jewellery brands in the UK. It specialises in bright, colourful jewellery. Crystals & Co. founders (and best friends) Emily Mackeogh and Leah O’Reilly aim to accessorise peoples lives with fun, high quality affordable jewellery. The brand uses solid metals – not plated or vermeil, and promises no green fingers or brass rash. I was tired of sacrificing style for quality, or my bank account for both’ says Neima Row founder Naomi Genes. Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag. With Love Darling believes in changing the world one piece of jewellery at a time. It always came with lengthy care instructions and still tarnished after only a few wears or turned my skin green’ she says. The pieces are gorgeous too – from delicate pendants to eye-catching hoops, available in either 18ct gold vermeil or sterling silver. So she decided to make her own. Made by small workshops all over the world, each piece holds a story. Prior to starting Bijoux De Mimi, Amelia attended Central Saint Martins. Catherine ‘Catch’ Rhys Jones started her label out of a frustration with the jewellery she was buying. Items are produced in developing countries, giving the artisans income to lift themselves and their families out of poverty. After working in the jewellery industry for 10 years, Amelia Bainbridge saw a gap in the market for jewellery that was both beautiful and affordable – and Auree was born in 2014. All Auree pieces are made with the highest quality solid gold, sterling silver (backtoglamour.com) or gold vermeil and natural gemstones.