A necklace and pendant have been created, ostensibly in support of UNESCO's Manifesto 2000, by young Indian and Italian designers. In India, Danabhai Jewellers are the sole distributors for this range.

Designed at The International Jewellery School, Le Arti Orafe, in Florence, Italy, `A Path for Peace' is a unisex pendant in spiral form, meant to signify the "personal and collective path which each human being must follow to attain peace". UNESCO's `UVO Verona Projects' is touted as the sales beneficiary.

But that's not all. `A Mini Bag for your Mobile' has been created in 18 carat gold with diamonds, and something called `ecological leather' to prevent the wearer suffering guilt pangs. This is an exclusive, indeed patented, creation for the `Auritalia for UNESCO' solidarity campaign. Five per cent of the sales proceeds will be donated to charity.

Auritalia was one of 15 finalists who vied for the Guggenheim Enterprise and Culture Award 1998-99, a prestigious award for companies, which have made successful use of cultural investment to form their own business strategies. Auritalia says its products express the company mission that every jewel is a vehicle of culture for a cultural renaissance through enterprise.

Dr Maria Loretta De Toni, president, Auritalia, says the company has always been spreading the message of culture, peace and non-violence across the world, so UNESCO's Manifesto 2000 holds special significance for it. Dr Maria also thinks it is natural for India and Italy to have come together in this enterprise, for peace and non-violence have been the mission statement of both countries.

The third partner in this venture, Danabhai, through this association with Auritalia and UNESCO, plans to present the spiritual side of India through Indian jewellery, which it regards as an art form. "We see our association with both organisations as our millennium celebration," says Ashok Minawala of Danabhai. "Moreover, we are proud to be part of the Manifesto 2000, a programme that was conceived by Nobel laureates. We believe it will serve as a guide for people to adopt the path of peace and understanding at a personal level."

Essentially, the three collaborators want to promote jewellery as the new ambassador of world peace and cultural renaissance. Well, given the snob value of the product, its wearers certainly will feel the peace.