The custom-made 46664 Bangle made its debut last night on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno as Morgan Freeman showed the custom-made 46664 Bangle which he’ll be wearing at the Oscars. All the bracelets bear a digital imprint of Nelson Mandela’s hand, and are being referred to as the “South African Bracelet for Hope”.
Morgan Freeman talks about the meaning of the 46664 Bangle, about Nelson Mandela, and his role in Invictus. Also on display was the silver 46664 Bangle which he wears regularly, the bracelet that anyone can buy and support the 46664 Bangle project. See Morgan Freeman’s bracelet and the full interview on NBC here
Speaking about the movie Invictus in the interview, did Nelson Mandela like the film? Freeman says, “We showed it to him at the Foundation … and I’m right next to him, watching him watch me be him. He smiled a lot and nodded and he seemed to like it.” But one of his greatest compliments came when Nelson Mandela’s long-time personal assistant heard Morgan Freeman talking on set – as Freeman says, “I got the best compliment … she thought when she came on the set first time, that Madiba was there”.
Invictus Nominee Morgan Freeman and Producer Lori McCreary to wear Nelson Mandela-inspired jewels
Sabine Roemer created two bespoke 46664 Bangles (named after Nelson Mandela’s Robben Island prison number) that will glitter on the wrists of acclaimed Oscar® nominee Morgan Freeman and Invictusproducer Lori McCreary at the red carpet event of the year – the 82nd Academy Awards – on Sunday, March 7.
Freeman is nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his outstanding performance as Nelson Mandela in Invictus, a portrayal of South Africa’s 1995 Rugby World Cup victory and its impact on brining a nation together. This year’s nomination is Freeman’s fifth and may result in his second win.
The unique 46664 Bangles feature spectacular Zambian emeralds and were specially designed for Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary by bespoke UK-based jeweler Sabine Roemer. Roemer has been creating one-of-a-kind jewelry sculptures for the Nelson Mandela Foundation for the past three years, helping to raise funds for the organization. Freeman is already a big fan of Roemer’s work, having bought the designer’s diamond-encrusted sculpture of Mandela’s hand at his 92nd birthday celebration in New York in 2009.
Both bangles were handmade using locally-produced 18K yellow gold and 18K white gold. The vibrant deep green Zambian emeralds have been produced by colored gemstone mining company, Gemfields, whose focus is on the consistent supply of ethically-produced emeralds that have followed a transparent route from mine to market. Emeralds were the gems of choice for the designs, as throughout the ages they have symbolized peace and prosperity. The conflict-free diamonds are from South African diamond company Namakwa, who continue their ongoing support to the Nelson Mandela Foundation.
Roemer comments, “When Morgan and Lori mentioned at the UK premiere of Invictus that they wanted something different to wear at the upcoming Oscars, I wanted to create two pieces of jewelry that were 100% African. It seemed fitting to raise awareness around the 46664 Bangle initiative, an international symbol in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Combined with Zambian emeralds from Gemfields and local Diamonds from Namakwa it seemed like the perfect fit.”
All 46664 Bangles bear a unique serial number that can be used to register them online and in so doing, authenticate them and track who has been employed through the program. In honor of Freeman’s and McCreary’s commitment to the 46664 Bangle initiative, as well as in recognition of the Oscar nomination, the serial code on the inside of his bangle reads ‘Invictus’. After the Oscars®, the bracelets will be auctioned to raise funds for the 46664 Campaign of The Nelson Mandela Foundation, including the fight against HIV/AIDS.
