Jewellery is a beautiful ancestral art that is always perfect as a gift. But environmentally harmful mining and opaque supply chains tarnish the reputation of this artisanal luxury.
Fortunately, there are now plenty of brands and labels that are offering ethical and sustainable alternatives. Here are five designs from responsible brands that embody this new modern approach to jewellery, as inspiration for a meaningful Christmas present.
VRAI Diamond Bezel Drop Huggie Hoops
VRAI is a brand created by the leading company in laboratory diamonds, Diamond Foundry. All of their stones are born in laboratories, generating carbon crystallization that creates diamonds.
A lab-grown diamond has the exact same chemical, optical and physical properties as a mined diamond, but it didn’t cause ecosystems destruction as it often does for mined diamonds. VRAI diamonds are also produced thanks to carbon-neutral technology, making them the most sustainable diamonds you can find.
JEM Sillons Earrings
Jewellery Ethically Minded (JEM) is a Parisian house dedicated to responsible jewellery. Their timeless aesthetic is embodied by creations in ethical gold and lab-grown diamonds.
This refined design is made out of ethical Fairmined gold. Only a dozen mines on Earth are Fairmined certified. This label ensures small scale mining, respectful of the environment and of the miners’ lives. Fairmined gold is 100% traceable, guarantees a fair wage to the workers, and contributes to the preservation of ecosystems and the development of local communities. This is the most sustainable certification for mined gold.
Emma Aitchison Flow Bangle
The Bristol-based designer is recognizable for her sophisticated yet cool spirit, playing with traditional forms and adding casualness to a usually strict art. These bangles are no exception: very simple to style with an original shape.
They are made out of 100% recycled gold and silver, sourced in England and handmade in the designer’s Bristol studio. The packaging is biodegradable and 5% of the sales go to Survival International, an organization working with tribal peoples and helping them fight for their land rights.
Monarc Jewellery Josephine Orb Necklace
An imaginative piece by the British brand. The orb pendant on a snake chain necklace is easy to wear for everyday life while bringing chic fantasy to an outfit.
Monarc Jewellery works with above-the-ground materials, meaning they only use recycled precious metals. Their suppliers are accredited by LBMA’s London Good Delivery List and the Responsible Jewellery Council, indicating that they respect environmental and social standards.
nu atelier® Double Cross Ring
This French label conceives state of the art designs. The Double Cross Ring is edgy yet elegant, and made-out of recycled precious gold and silver.
nu atelier® creates all of their pieces in a workshop in Drôme by expert craftspersons and all of their packaging is 100% biodegradable. This fresh brand is redefining jewellery’s limits.
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