Last Updated on October 7, 2021
How sustainable is your jewellery collection?
If you’ve never considered it, you’re not alone. Most of us only worry about how eco-friendly our clothing habits are, opting for slow and made-to-order brands to ease our conscience.
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Unfortunately accessories can have a huge impact on the planet, and not just those made by fast fashion brands.
Diamond and gold mining are hugely detrimental to eco-systems, whether through the huge amount of chemicals used and subsequently dumped in rivers, or the huge quantities of water and fuel required in the process.
It’s time for us to make a change when it comes to accessories too, and fortunately, slow jewellery brands are slowly rising in number.
Want to start adding more mindful jewels to your stash?
Here are 10 sustainable jewellery brands we love.
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Bar Jewellery
East London-based brand Bar Jewellery releases products in small batches and works closely with manufacturers and makers that ensure living wages for their workers and ethical working conditions.
All the pieces from the brand are created using recycled metal.
Maalo Jewellery
Maalo Jewellery is a jewellery brand with a conscience from Mexican designer Montserrat A. Alonso.
Her pieces are all made from recycled silver and recycled or fairtrade gold and done so in small batches, either by the designer herself or a small team of artisans in Mexico.
The brand’s packaging is also strictly environmentally friendly. The boxes are made with recycled paper and water-based glue, while the inserts are seeded paper, which can be planted.
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SKEN Studios
This Manchester-based jewellery studio offers fun and unique jewellery, which can be hard to find.
From signet rings with ‘indifferent’ faces, to necklaces that snake around your neck, you won’t see these anywhere else.
Despite being a brand ‘that doesn’t take itself seriously’, it’s care and consideration for the planet is just that.
Each piece is made with recycled materials, which have been melted down and repurposed, while their packaging is eco-friendly too.
Sondr London
If you’re looking for a super special one-off piece of jewellery, check out Sondr London.
Made in London’s iconic Hatton Garden, Sondr London’s demi-fine pieces are made to order using recycled silver and gold-plated bronze or brass to ensure no waste or deadstock.
Loveness Lee
I’m obsessed with Loveness Lee’s textured and chunky jewellery, so it’s an added bonus to find out that it’s kind to our environment too.
Loveness Lee’s pieces, made in their London workshop, are crafted from silver that’s already been harvested, which technically makes them preloved.
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PI London
PI London specialises in vintage and antique jewellery — exquisite pre-loved pieces from decades and even centuries ago.
No new production is made, except for the packaging of the brand’s products, which are also recyclable and sustainable.
Alice Gwyneth
If you’re a fan of slow fashion, you’ll love Alice Gwyneth.
Most pieces are handmade to order using eco-friendly and ethically sourced materials and packed in recycled packaging.
You can try your luck and look at the brand’s Ready to Ship section, but you have to hurry because it sells out quickly!
Daphine
Founded by Damasia Ball and Philippine de Follin, Daphine is a ‘mindfully made’ jewellery brand that offers pieces created with Responsible Jewellery Council-certified brass that’s plated with 18 carat gold.
The brand’s packaging is also 100% plastic-free and made from recycled materials.
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WALD Berlin
The pieces from this German brand are handmade by a fair trade collective.
The main goal of the brand is to ‘close the loop’ when it comes to creating jewellery, and so every piece is made from recycled gold or silver. Any leftover material is also reused for other products.
On top of this, the brand is also working towards using 100% certified renewable energy in its workshop as well as reducing unnecessary waste wherever possible.
