North Maluku's Bacan Stone to Be Transformed into Modern Brooches and Accessories

The image of North Maluku’s distinctive bacan stone, long synonymous with conventional rings, is set to change. The North Maluku Regional National Crafts Council (Dekranasda) is currently encouraging local artisans to transform the precious stone into a variety of modern accessories, from brooches to contemporary fashion trinkets.

This was conveyed by North Maluku Dekranasda Chairperson Rusni Sarbin during a visit to the province’s exhibition stand following the opening of Dekranasda’s 46th anniversary event at Trans Studio Mall (TSM) Makassar, South Sulawesi. She stated that coaching and training are crucial steps to improve the quality and competitiveness of local SME products.

“I am optimistic that North Maluku’s craft products can compete. We just need to proceed step by step in providing coaching and training to SME players,” she said on Friday (10/7/2026).

Rusni noted that developing SME products in North Maluku cannot be done alone. Consequently, Dekranasda is partnering with Bank Indonesia and other partners to support the implementation of various coaching programmes for SMEs.

“Of course, the North Maluku Provincial Dekranasda does not work alone, but in partnership. We are partnering with Bank Indonesia, through which, God willing, the programmes to support SMEs via the strategies we desire will be achieved,” she explained.

Rusni hopes that North Maluku’s signature products will become more widely known and able to compete at the national level. One of the innovations being promoted is the development of bacan stone into various accessory products, not just limited to rings.

“For example, bacan stone. In the future, I hope that through the artisans, they can design not only rings but also other trinkets, such as brooch accessories and others that can develop like in other provinces as an innovation,” she elaborated.

The wife of the North Maluku Deputy Governor also called on all SME players in the region to continue creating and seizing every available opportunity. She believes that their creations not only benefit the business owners themselves but also help to elevate the region’s potential.

“To the SME players present here and those in North Maluku, never stop creating, because your work will produce tangible results, certainly for yourselves and for the greater North Maluku family,” she urged.