What is better than combining style and ethics at the same time?
"From mine to market" is often heard when referring to ethical jewellery, which means the way of producing sustainable jewellery, from mine to the customer, is traceable and has no detrimental effects on either people or the environment.
Jewellery is ethical when the designer considers all the factors including, the origins of the jewel, the process of mining the metals and gemstones, and the way jewellery is crafted and produced. Some other popular sustainable practices embraced by brands are upcycling and refashioning vintage jewellery pieces to encourage a circular economy, promoting jobs to communities, ethical work practices and fair wages, as well as focusing on recycled and recyclable packaging.
Take a look at these eco-conscious jewellery labels that offer unique minimalist yet elegant designs.
IDYL, a unique brand, sustainable at heart, believes that diamonds should be accessible to all. They use "Green Gold" sourced from conflict-free regions and produce diamonds in labs by simulating natural conditions to create rough, distinctive diamonds which are cut and polished by hand to sparkle. All pieces are handmade in their Antwerp Atelier, with a collection of classic diamond studs designed to fit various add-ons to create modular designs according to your mood.
Washed Ashore firmly believes in fair trade and the use of recycled materials. They use recycled gems and diamonds extracted from vintage jewellery to limit using newly mined materials while promoting a circular economy. The Japanese Akoya Keshi pearls used in their jewellery are 100% pure and natural. Each of the pearls is uniquely coloured and shaped, making Washed Ashore jewellery exquisite.
WALD BERLIN aims to stay true to the idea of creating sustainable, timeless pieces with a contemporary twist. Founded by Joyce Binneboese and Dana Roski, Wald Berlin empowers women with their handmade jewellery made by the fair trade collective by supporting women, mothers and grandmothers all over Germany. All of their collection is manufactured exclusively in Germany, allowing transparency in the production chain.
DZERVE introduced their first collection of unique jewellery pieces in 2014. With an emphasis on delicate, precious, and classic jewellery pieces, Dzerve's collections inspired by the Ocean, Sun, Moon, and stars have a clean and minimalistic aesthetic. All the materials are sustainably sourced and handcrafted in her studio in Mallorca, Spain.
JEM, or Jewellery Ethical Minded, is a French eco jewellery brand that aims to reinvent traditional jewellery by creating jewels in a spirit of goodwill and the idea of ethical progress. JEM's jewellery is made entirely of Fairminded certified ethical gold, sourced from mines committed to a process of eco-responsible transformation. The collections are crafted by passionate craftsmen with exceptional skills and attention to detail in their partner workshop in France to create unique pieces. If you can't make it to their boutique in Paris, don't worry; the brand now accepts virtual appointments.
Through their art of jewellery, Completedworks captures the beauty and complexity of everyday life. Timeless designs crafted by skilled artisans per their goal of mastering a sculptural aesthetic that seeks to remain relevant regardless of seasons and trends. They use recycled or Fair-trade gold and recycled or reclaimed metal for a large majority of their silver. The diamonds used are conflict-free and only come from Kimberley Process-accredited companies. They also partnered with One Tree Planted to grow trees to balance their packaging and cardboard use.
Oremme considers jewellery to be one, and her pieces are artfully designed and handcrafted in Toronto. They use conflict-free diamonds and recycled 14-karat gold in their made-to-order collection. Oremme has committed to allocating at least 15% of its marketing budget to black models, creators, and freelancers. You can also recycle unwanted gold and earn store credit by selling it to them.