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Image credit score: Pamela Love
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If you take into account your self a acutely aware shopper, a minimalist, or just care concerning the impression your buying choices have on the world round you, then you understand that much less is extra. And this might not be extra true than in the case of jewellery.
Most of the high-quality jewellery you buy will in all probability nonetheless be in your possession for a few years to return, so that you need these items to be particular, lovely gems that you just love and really feel symbolize you. And in fact, which means prioritizing ethics, sustainability, and transparency within the manufacturing course of, too.
Here’s what to search for from moral, sustainable high-quality jewellery manufacturers
Lab-grown diamonds. Unfortunately, should you’re shopping for diamonds, you must use your discretion. We recently wrote about how it’s practically impossible to 100% guarantee moral sourcing of mined diamonds, even with issues just like the Kimberley Process and “past conflict-free” claims. That’s why it’s comprehensible that lab-grown diamonds, which don’t have the traceability downside and are additionally much less taxing on the atmosphere, are rising in recognition. And sure—they are actual diamonds, with an an identical chemical construction to at least one gouged out of the earth.
Recycled and/or ethically sourced gems. Some of the manufacturers under use recycled diamonds and different sorts of gems, taken from previous items or “scraps” from bigger stones after which redesigned. This is a wonderful low-impact choice as properly. After recycled, go for ethically-sourced gems. Brands who supply from clear and moral mines are nonetheless a a lot better choice than traditionally-mined firms (the place you could be nearly sure that human and environmental degradation is occurring with a view to get that gem to you). Don’t be afraid to ask the model questions on their items and request verification!
Recycled metals or ecological gold: We have to recycle as a lot as doable and towards a very round economic system that doesn’t simply dig up assets after which throw them away. But recycled gold does include its personal troubles, so you may additionally select ecological gold when doable (although there are only a few manufacturers creating with ecological gold as of proper now).
Vintage / Secondhand items: Unlike clothes, which continues to slowly degrade over time, properly cared for high-quality jewellery can really turn into much more lovely and precious because it ages. And in fact, since there aren’t extra assets wanted to create a brand new piece, this is without doubt one of the most sustainable choices obtainable!
Excellent customer support and return insurance policies. Before you drop a bit of change, ensure that the model you’re shopping for from has a readily-accessible customer support division, and a transparent return/alternate coverage that may work along with your state of affairs ought to it’s essential to use it. Some of the manufacturers under even have at-home ‘strive before you purchase’ packages you possibly can benefit from.
If you’re looking for artisan jewelry instead, check out this post.
Here are our favourite manufacturers creating lovely, 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 greater than 40 years of expertise on this planet of high-quality jewellery, Navi is very centered on bespoke marriage ceremony rings, but in addition gives high-quality pendants, earrings and bracelets in traditional, timeless designs that may turn into your favourite lifetime items.
Leismo Jewelry carries a curated collection of minimalistic, artisan-made, and recycled jewellery. You can discover out precisely the place your piece got here from, the way it was made, and the distinctive story behind it. Each model it carries ensures moral working situations for its staff via honest commerce practices. Plus, they donate 5% of your buy to a non-profit group of your selection, at no additional price to you.
After rising up within the diamond world with relations within the business, the founders of Kimai realized there was a extra moral technique to do issues. Therefore, Kimai began creating lovely, lab-grown diamonds utilizing photo voltaic vitality and recycled 18k gold. Every Kimai design is made to order in Antwerp, Belgium, by expert artisans.
Sourced completely from Diamond Foundry, the one licensed carbon-neutral producer of diamonds, Vrai’s diamonds are made utilizing photo voltaic know-how and 100% traceable. Currently, over 90% of its gold is recycled, with the purpose of reaching 100%. The 10% that’s not recycled is responsibly sourced via the RJC.
KBH Jewels is an NYC-based luxurious jewellery model utilizing solely environmentally and socially acutely aware diamonds which can be grown and never mined. These distinctive diamonds are paired with reclaimed and recycled treasured metals to create elevated necessities and trendy classics. KBH Jewels chooses natural material for its pouches, and its packaging is responsibly made or comes from post-consumer waste.
Vestaire Collective carries an enormous collection of jewellery from the most well-liked designer and luxurious manufacturers, with over 3,000 objects added to its web site day by day. Before they’re shipped to you, objects and their descriptions are authenticated by its group of consultants, so you understand precisely what you’re getting.
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 solely of recycled treasured metals and post-consumer gems. Its packaging is absolutely recyclable they usually have partnered with Carbon Fund to help clear vitality efforts.
Senia’s modular, versatile items are product of recycled treasured metals and conflict-free gems. Its sustainable strategy 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 Center at Vanderbilt to assist help younger entrepreneurs.
AUrate focuses on sturdy supplies, clear pricing, sustainable manufacturing, and tangible giving. They observe each single diamond from mine to workshop to make sure they arrive from essentially the most verifiably moral and environmentally sound sources. Its pearls are the best high quality AAA-grade, sourced from the South Sea and Japan. Every piece is hand made proper in New York, they usually use a direct-to-consumer mannequin to create preserve costs honest and easy. They have a free try-on program which provides you 7 days to strive on 5 items and return whichever ones you don’t need. Plus, in partnership with Mastery Charter, they’ve given hundreds of books to college students and colleges throughout NYC.
Based in Downtown Los Angeles, all J.Hannah jewellery is hand-made to order. Pieces are created from recycled stable 14k gold or sterling silver, and stones which can be recycled and/or ethically sourced. You can even try its sister firm’s marriage ceremony and engagement assortment, Ceremony.
Pamela Love has been making jewellery in New York since 2006 when she created the whole lot in her house. Citing astronomy and astrology amongst her inspirations, she options moon phases, stars, and different celestial symbols in her high-quality jewellery assortment. All of Pamela Love’s designs are made with recycled metallic and ethically sourced, conflict-free treasured stones in compliance with United Nations Resolutions. All stones used are additionally one-of-a-kind items which can be upcycled from vintage and property jewellery or post-consumer sources.
Futura Jewelry crafts its jewellery domestically in New York with Fairmined Certified Ecological 18kt gold. The model is moral and traceable, empowering miners with wholesome and protected dwelling and dealing situations, gender equality, no baby labor, together with supporting employee’s rights. Futura Jewelry gives bodily traceability of the supply of gold via your entire provide chain and manufacturing journey from the mine to the client. Its packaging comes from New Zealand and is hand made and designed from sustainable rimu wooden.
WWAKE is a 100% women-run jewellery model. Each WWAKE merchandise is hand-made and designed in its New York City studio in small, made-to-order batches utilizing high quality supplies and conflict-free diamonds. All of its items are forged from recycled gold and silver each time doable and made with the best opals and licensed conflict-free diamonds. WWAKE proudly works with native and family-owned companies in New York.
Zoë Chicco designs delicate, trendy, and versatile jewellery with 100% recycled 14kt gold. Its diamonds are conflict-free and compliant with the Kimberley Process, and its gems are ethically sourced from respected companions.
Designed and handcrafted by native artisans in Vancouver, Poppy Finch makes use of primarily recycled stable gold, which 75% of it’s SCS certified recycled gold. The model additionally ethically sources its treasured gems, and its diamonds come from suppliers that adhere to the Kimberley Process, which ensures the diamonds are conflict-free.
With roots that hint again to its ancestral homeland within the northwestern deserts of India, every ILA piece is carved with expert arms and tells tales of the mythology of the designers’ ancestral homeland. It makes use of ethically-sourced gems and recycled metals.
Everything is made by Andrea herself in her personal studio out of recycled metals sourced from the US and ethically sourced gems. She additionally donates to Toolbox Initiative, which empowers BIPOC jewelers in West Africa to be self-sustaining and funds microloans via Kiva.
Founded in 2014, Linjer designs sustainable high-quality jewellery with out the posh markup. It lately launched a 14k stable gold, Eco-Luxe assortment made with 100% recycled gold and assured conflict-free diamonds. Its packaging bins are made with recycled gray board, and the inserts and paper in its bins are from FSC-certified sources.
Valerie Madison based her namesake high-quality jewellery model in 2014. The Seattle-based designer creates timeless, elegant kinds honoring her Environmental Science diploma by responsibly sourcing her supplies. Her collections are made with recycled gold, diamond options like Moissanite and when doable Canadian-mined or recycled diamonds.
We’re massive followers of Melissa Joy Manning right here at EcoCult—she really created Alden’s engagement ring! Everything is handmade in Melissa’s studios in New York City 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 treasured metals from a Green-Certified refiner, and packaged in recycled packaging. The model additionally carbon offsets all its delivery.
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 dwelling situations within the continent.
