Capim Dourado - Gold Grass

Capim Dourado, meaning “Gold Grass” in Portuguese, is one of nature’s most extraordinary materials. Native to the Brazilian state of Tocantins, its slender stems have a naturally radiant, metallic-gold appearance. For generations, local artisans have carefully hand-woven these remarkable stems into beautiful jewellery, accessories and decorative pieces.

Despite its name and delicate, grass-like appearance, Capim Dourado is not actually grass. It is the stem of a small white flower belonging to the Eriocaulaceae family, known scientifically as Syngonanthus nitens. Exceptionally strong yet almost weightless, its natural golden sheen makes it a truly unique material for jewellery.

The art of weaving Capim Dourado has been passed down to Afro-Brazilian communities over generations by indigenous peoples. Today, this remarkable material provides an essential source of income for hundreds of local families, while celebrating and preserving a distinctive part of Tocantins’ cultural heritage.

Protecting Capim Dourado for future generations is important and strict local regulations govern its harvesting, with collection permitted only during a designated period each year. During harvesting, artisans must cut and return the flower heads to the soil, helping the plant to regenerate naturally and ensuring the continuation of future crops.

Raw Capim Dourado cannot be exported from Tocantins. It may only leave the region as a finished, handcrafted piece, helping to ensure that the value of this natural resource remains within the communities who cultivate the tradition and create the finished work.

World Design first discovered Capim Dourado in 2016, on our first visit to Brazil. We were captivated by what appeared, at first glance, to be delicate gold jewellery — only to discover that it was made from a humble grass-like plant.

We knew immediately that we had found something special.

The Capim Dourado range was added to our sustainable collection and has since grown into one of our most popular. Each piece brings together the natural beauty of the material, generations of traditional craftsmanship and a sustainable way of working — creating jewellery that is as meaningful as it is beautiful.