Many of you had asked me where to shop sustainable jewelry. And it makes sense, accessories are part of our every day outfits and there are better options to wear. So in this post we’re going to talk about what sustainability in jewelry means, why to shop it, and some recommendations of my favorite sustainable brands.
What is sustainability in jewelry?
Sustainability is the ability to maintain something in the original state, or to keep something from being damaged or destroyed. In the jewelry world, sustainability means that your jewelry is made from materials that are not harmful to the environment, and that are sourced ethically. It also means that your pieces are designed with longevity in mind so you can wear them for years to come.
Why shop sustainable jewelry
There are many reasons to shop sustainable jewelry:
1) It’s better for the planet and animals.
2) It’s better for our health.
3) It’s better for the economy because it supports local artisans around the world.
4) You can feel good about what you buy and will be making a statement with your purchases!
Sustainable jewelry brands
Lelay Luisa – UK
Lelay Luisa is a sustainable jewelry brand based in London, UK. They are Positive Luxury Certified illustrating their efforts to move toward net zero, from their recycled materials and ethical diamonds to their commitment to working with responsible partners. Furthermore, their stores and offices’ energy is either green or being offset.
Bruna the label – Austria
Member of 1% for the Planet and Climate Neutral certified, Bruna the Label is a sustainable jewelry brand based in Vienna, Austria. They only use environmentally friendly & cruelty-free processes for developing & manufacturing jewels. The pieces are carefully handcrafted in small-scale, and ethically run factories. All their local artisans in Italy and Thailand have been educated and passed on their expertise through the generations.
Mejuri – Canada
Mejuri is a sustainable jewelry brand whose entire production ecosystem—including sourcing, manufacturing, and branding—aims to mitigate their impact on the environment, support and empower their partners, and give back to their communities. They know how the materials are sourced and processed, and the working conditions in that they were made.
Their ultimate goal is 100% traceability of all materials across their supply chain.
Ten Thousand Villages – Worldwide artisans
Ten thousand villages is a pioneer of fair trade by putting people and the planet first. They create opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn income by bringing their products and stories in their markets through fair trading relationships.
Aurate – NY
Aurate is a sustainable fine jewelry brand based in New York. All of their gold is 100% recycled and it’s able to be repeatedly reused without losing quality or harming the environment. Their gems also follow a similar pattern. Their mines are run under ethical and safe working conditions with fair wages.
Last thoughts
My favorite thing to suggest to people who are interested in sustainable fashion is that they do their research. Read up on what certain brands say about themselves, and their manufacturing practices, as well as their stances on the impact of the fashion industry more generally, so you can make your own personal choices about what companies are worth supporting, and which ones might not be.
When considering sustainable jewelry, it is a good idea to decide if you want to purchase vintage as well. Since vintage pieces don’t require as much production work, they are often more affordable than new pieces. If you have your heart set on a brand-new piece and don’t want to compromise on cost or quality, then educating yourself on how to identify sustainable jewelry will help create informed choices when shopping.
If you liked this post then I recommend you to read Easy steps into ethical fashion consumption and for more content, you can follow me on Instagram and TikTok.