About Us

Papillon Belle is a range of jewellery designed by Cape Town based graphic designer & illustrator Audrey Botha.

Butterflies have always been a source of inspiration to me. When I inherited two antique brooches made with real butterfly wings from my Grandmother, it sparked the idea for my new range of jewellery. The brooches date back to the Victorian era and I became very interested in how you can take something as transient as a butterfly, and immortalise it in a piece of jewellery that can be passed down three generations. I wanted to create a range of timeless, classic pieces that could become family heirlooms at a time when disposable consumables seem to dominate our world.

The average butterfly only lives between a single day and 4 weeks, so I wanted to find a way to immortalise these beautiful creatures in pendants and rings that can be handed down from generation to generation.

The result is a unique range of jewellery made from exotic butterfly wings set in a sterling silver frame. You can choose to set the wing as a pendant in glass or acrylic perspex or in a vintage inspired ring or charm covered by a glass dome. Some of the wings are magically iridescent and constantly change colour as they interact with light. In the pendants, both the front and back of the wing are visible and these are usually completely different.

All pieces are hand made in South Africa.

The butterflies used in my jewellery are sourced from an organisation that manages conservation projects all over the world. The organisation currently supports families in 21 different countries.

Agricultural development has caused the natural habitat of a lot of butterfly species to become threatened, and their populations started dwindling. Sustainable farming programs were therefore started to enable farmers from third world countries to keep the rain forests on their land intact, while still providing a livelihood that paid better than mono-cultural crops. The breeding program enables thousands of butterflies to be bred. A portion of the butterflies are caught and sold, and the money generated from the sales ensures that the tropical forests, which are vital to their survival, are preserved. 

By purchasing my jewellery, you are not only doing your bit for the environment and the butterfly species that depend on it, you are also providing employment for the families in third world countries who breed and raise these delicate creatures.

When purchasing insect products, it is important to make sure that they are sourced from sustainable sources.

Extensive research has been done on the many benefits of sustainably farming insects. Below are a number of articles we have compiled on the subject that you can download.

Papillon Belle proudly supports The Antennae Foundation who are committed to the preservation and conservation of insect diversity globally. Visit their website to find out more about the work they do.

WE OFFER FREE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE ON ORDERS OVER R1000/$100/£70/€85!

Most in-stock items ship within 2 working days; however, some items like Limited Edition pendants may take up to 5 working days to process. 

Destinations within South Africa

FREE Registered Mail to orders over R1000

• Orders under R1000, will cost R60
• Insured and registered mail
• Overnight delivery
• Tracking number supplied
• Item will be delivered to your nearest post office

Destinations outside of South Africa

FREE Registered Mail to orders over $100/£70/€85

• Orders under $100/£70/€85 will cost $10/£6/€8
• Insured and registered mail
• tracking number
• 7-10 working days
• Item will be delivered to your nearest post office

Expedited Mail Services

• $30/£20/€25
• Insured and registered mail
• tracking number
• 4-5 working days
• Item will be delivered to your nearest post office
• Please specify this option on check out

Exchanges

If you are not 100% satisfied with your product, you can exchange it within 14 days of receipt

Engraving is done on glass pendants only. Limited edition pendants are only made with glass and are engraved with an edition number on the side

Benefits of Acrylic Perspex
Acrylic Perspex looks exactly like glass, but it is a lot more affordable. We use the same material used in high quality sunglass lenses. There is a 20 year guarantee from the manufacturers on discolouration (this is dependant on the amount of UV exposure) so if you look after your jewellery, your pendant should last you a lifetime.

Benefits of Glass
Glass on the other hand is scratch resistant and won’t discolour over time. All our glass is cut by hand in South Africa. If you choose to encase your wing in glass, we will engrave the Papillon Belle logo and the year of manufacture on the frame, so you can pass it down as a family heirloom from generation to generation.

Limited edition pendants are only made using glass and are engraved with an edition number in addition to the logo and year of manufacture.

Pendants
Each pendant is sold in a luxury gift box containing protective sponge with black satin lining. The logo is foiled in silver on the lid of the box. We issue a certificate of authenticity containing information on the range, the specimen and it's country of origin as well as instructions on how to care for your pendant. 
 

Charms & Rings
Each charm and ring is sold in a luxury velvet pounch with the logo foiled in silver on the lid of the box. We issue a certificate of authenticity containing information on the range, the specimen and it's country of origin as well as instructions on how to care for your piece. 

Skeleton WIng Jewellery
The earrings and pendants are sold in a luxury goft box, while the charm is sold in a velvet pouch. The jewellery is issued with a certificate of authenticity containg info on how to care for your piece.

You can choose to purchase a silver polishing cloth when adding an item to your cart

To ensure that your Papilon Belle jewellery lasts, it is important to take good care of it and follow the proper care instructions below. 

Butterfly Wing Pendants
The pendant is not waterproof. Care should be taken to avoid contact with moisture, as this will damage the wing. Do not apply moisturizer or perfume close to the pendant. When not worn, store in it's box in a cool, dark, dry place to preserve the colour for years to come. Polish with a dry silver polishing cloth.  

Butterfly Rings & Charms
Even though the wing has been sealed, care should be taken to avoid contact with excessive moisture and heat. Polish with a dry, silver polishing cloth. When not worn, store in a cool dark place to maintain the wing colour for years to come.

Skeleton Jewellery
Polish with a dry, silver polishing cloth.