Pura Vida

On a beach in Costa Rica, two college grads met artisans selling handmade bracelets. The bracelets were beautiful. Simple. Full of joy. The artisans were homeless, struggling to survive on meager street sales.

That encounter became Pura Vida. The original artisans trained others. Demand grew. What started as bracelets sold from a dorm room became a network of over 650 artisans across Costa Rica, El Salvador, and India, all earning stable wages for handcrafted work.

"Pura vida" means "pure life." It's Costa Rica's national phrase, a philosophy of appreciating simple pleasures, staying positive, and savoring each moment. Every bracelet carries that spirit.

The giving extends beyond artisan employment. Each charity collection supports a specific cause: ocean conservation, mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights, breast cancer research. Customers don't just buy jewelry. They represent causes they believe in. Over $5 million has flowed to more than 300 charitable partners.

A Pura Vida bracelet is more than an accessory. It's handcrafted by someone whose life was changed by your purchase. It represents a cause you care about. And it carries a philosophy worth remembering: slow down, appreciate the small things, and spread a little joy.