Picture credit score: Senia
This publish accommodates some affiliate hyperlinks, which implies should you make a purchase order, EcoCult receives a small share of the sale value. Some manufacturers could have paid a small payment to be featured. We solely advocate manufacturers that we actually consider in. Help our editorial work by supporting them!
For those who think about your self a acutely aware shopper, a minimalist, or just care in regards to the influence your buying selections have on the world round you, then you recognize that much less is extra. And this might not be extra true than in the case of jewellery.
Many of the high-quality jewellery you buy will most likely nonetheless be in your possession for a few years to return, so that you need these items to be particular, stunning gems that you just love and really feel characterize you. And, in fact, which means prioritizing ethics, sustainability, and transparency within the manufacturing course of, too.
Right here’s what to search for from moral, sustainable high-quality jewellery manufacturers
Traceable Diamonds and Gems: Sadly, should you’re shopping for diamonds, it’s important to use discretion. We now have written about the way it’s practically impossible to 100% guarantee the moral sourcing of mined diamonds, even with issues just like the Kimberley Course of and “past conflict-free” claims. That’s why it’s comprehensible that lab-grown diamonds, that are much less taxing on the setting, are rising in recognition (though at occasions they are often much less clear than a mined diamond). And sure—they’re actual diamonds, with an equivalent chemical construction to at least one gouged out of the earth.
However you may’t overlook the truth that switching utterly to lab grown diamonds may influence native communities, as the ethical mining industry does present employment and lots of advantages to locals. However that’s not all the time the case. It’s been dropped at mild that mine employees for every type of valuable and semi-precious stones, together with kids, usually work “in extremely hazardous conditions without supervision or safety gear.” These children have a excessive probability of struggling many well being points, together with lung and respiratory system harm and listening to and imaginative and prescient issues from noise. Don’t be afraid to ask the model questions on their items and request verification. Stones change palms a number of occasions between mining and manufacturing, which turns into nearly not possible to hint their origins.
Your finest wager, if you’d like a brand new diamond, is to ask your jeweler the place your diamond was mined or produced and get a stable reply earlier than continuing.
Recycled gems: If you will get your palms on repurposed/second-hand diamonds, that might be even higher! A number of the manufacturers beneath use recycled diamonds and different kinds of gem stones, taken from outdated items or “scraps” from bigger stones after which redesigned.
Recycled metals or ecological gold: We have to recycle as a lot as potential and help manufacturers that work in the direction of a round financial system, as this mannequin preserves assets and retains them in use. However recycled gold does come with its own troubles, corresponding to no assure that it wasn’t extracted illegally or linked to human rights abuses or corruption, so you may additionally select ecological gold when potential (although there are only a few manufacturers creating with ecological gold as of proper now).
Sturdiness: For those who’re a gold particular person, we advocate you prioritize stable gold when shopping for jewellery, because it’s constructed to final and received’t rub off or change colour over time. Jewellery made out of gold plating or vermeil might be thought of the quick style of the jewellery business: reasonably priced and never as sturdy. If looking for gold plated or vermeil items, nevertheless, make sure that the gold has been sustainably sourced. For a extra reasonably priced, sturdy choice, you can too purchase stable silver items.
Classic / Secondhand items: In contrast to clothes, which can fade out over time, properly cared for high-quality jewellery can really develop into much more stunning and helpful because it ages. And naturally, since there aren’t extra assets wanted to create a brand new piece, this is among the most sustainable choices obtainable!
Truthful labor and transparency: Lastly, examine for honest labor practices. Verify how a lot manufacturers share about their provide chains and suppliers and the way a lot data is backed up with third-party certifications like Fair Trade.
Sustainable packaging: Typical jewellery packaging might be constituted of virgin supplies, PU leather-based or plastic. Purchase from manufacturers that use packaging that accommodates recyclable or biodegradable supplies, like recycled cardboard or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper.
Wonderful customer support and return insurance policies: Earlier than you drop a piece of change, make sure that the model you’re shopping for from has a readily-accessible customer support division and a transparent return/trade coverage ought to you should use it. A number of the manufacturers beneath even have at-home ‘attempt before you purchase’ packages you may reap the benefits of.
(If you’re looking for artisan jewelry instead, check out this post.)
Listed below are our favourite manufacturers creating stunning, moral, and sustainable high-quality jewellery:
This New York-based, third-generation jeweler works with lab-grown diamonds in addition to fair-mined, recycled, and re-refined metals to create assertion high-quality jewellery. With over 40 years of expertise on this planet of high-quality jewellery, Navi primarily focuses on bespoke wedding ceremony rings but in addition provides high-quality pendants, earrings and bracelets in basic, timeless designs that can develop into your favourite lifetime items.
Senia’s modular, versatile items are made from recycled valuable metals and conflict-free gems. Its sustainable method is clear at each step of the design course of, from the responsibly sourced uncooked supplies to the packaging, which doubles as a journey case. Senia additionally donates 10% of its proceeds to the Wond’ry Innovation Heart at Vanderbilt to assist help younger entrepreneurs.
Zoë Chicco designs delicate, fashionable, and versatile jewellery with 100% recycled 14kt gold. Its diamonds are conflict-free and compliant with the Kimberley Process, and its gem stones are ethically sourced from respected companions.
Based mostly in California, Valley Rose Studio creates high-quality jewellery impressed by nature and the cosmos. Its designs are made out of 100% Fairmined gold and lab-mined, traceable diamonds. The corporate ensures the individuals in its provide chain are paid honest livable wages and that its merchandise have a minimal environmental influence with the extraction of its supplies and provides. Valley Rose Studio makes use of recycled post-consumer paper or compostable supplies for all its packaging, together with its paper packing tape, tissue paper, and paper card inserts.
Based in 2018, Astor & Orion creates fashionable, moral jewellery out of recycled supplies and are designed to be simply recycled with no additional processing. Its merchandise are made at an moral manufacturing facility utilizing sustainably solid 18k gold over recycled sterling silver or simply stable sustainably solid recycled sterling silver. You possibly can find out about its producer here. A portion of Astor & Orion’s proceeds goes to The Cal Arts Group Artwork Partnership, which provides free after-school and school-based arts packages for youth.
Created in Los Angeles, Washed Ashore’s items are impressed by highly effective pure forces, such because the wind and the waves. Its rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are made completely of recycled valuable metals and post-consumer gem stones. Its packaging is totally recyclable, they usually have partnered with Carbon Fund to help clear power efforts.
Based mostly in Downtown Los Angeles, all J.Hannah jewellery is hand-made to order. Its items are constituted of recycled stable 14k gold or sterling silver, and the stones are recycled and/or ethically sourced. It’s also possible to take a look at its sister firm Ceremony, for wedding ceremony and engagement jewellery.
Designed and handcrafted by native artisans in Vancouver, Poppy Finch makes use of primarily recycled stable gold, of which 70% of it’s SCS certified recycled gold. The model additionally ethically sources its valuable gem stones, and its diamonds come from suppliers that adhere to the Kimberley Course of, which ensures the diamonds are conflict-free. The crew handpicks every pearl to match every product’s dimension, colour, and form. Its freshwater pearls are from China, and the Akoya saltwater pearls are from Japan, all sourced immediately from respected pearl suppliers.
Based in 2014, Linjer designs sustainable high-quality jewellery with out the luxurious markup. It provides a 14k stable gold, Eco-Luxe collection made with 100% recycled gold and assured conflict-free diamonds. Its packaging bins are made with recycled greyboard, and the inserts and paper in its bins are from FSC-certified sources.
We’re large followers of Melissa Joy Manning right here at EcoCult—she really created Alden’s engagement ring! Every thing is handmade in Melissa’s studios in New York Metropolis or California. The Berkeley studio is green-certified, and the NYC studio, although not licensed, employs the identical strategies. The jewellery is made utilizing recycled valuable metals from a Inexperienced-Licensed refiner and packaged in recycled packaging. The model additionally carbon offsets all its transport.
Omi Woods is a Canadian, ethically handmade jewellery model based by Ashley Alexis McFarlane that celebrates her connection to Africa. The items are made out of worldwide sourced conflict-free high-quality metals, serving to the residing situations within the continent. The gold is sourced from small-scale artisanal mines that help miners’ well-being and their communities by paying miners a good wage and contributing to improved well being care, training, security and residing situations on the continent. Its gold can be extracted using conventional strategies which have a low influence on the earth.
