Jewelry like other purchases should be reduced if considering the toll on our environment. Reusing, repurposing and restyling your jewelry, fine or costume is the best way to reduce your carbon footprint. However, there is also value in supporting ethical businesses that both create opportunities through employment and that utilize recycled pieces that avoid the landfill.
Here’s how fine jewelry takes its toll on the environment. According to Treehugger, the jewelry industry is responsible for erosion of the land, the leakage of harmful chemicals, which end up in our water supply, and increased carbon emissions as a result of the heavy machinery used to mine the element. Read more here from Earthworks on why gold mining specifically is detrimental to both people and the planet.
Here’s how fashion jewelry or costume jewelry takes its toll on the environment. It is easy to regard fashion jewelry as an affordable alternative to fine jewelry, but that may be where the benefit stops. And who does it really benefit? Certainly not the individuals making that product. A brand that mass produces, similar to fast fashion, creating a product that is cheaply made to accommodate our every outfit. Plastics and other synthetic materials that comprise these so called “fashionable” accessories do not biodegrade and instead slowly release toxic chemicals into our air.
A compromise and more eco-friendly alternative is to purchase from ethical and sustainable brands. Ones that pay fair wages to all artisans. Ones that create beautiful and one of a kind pieces using recycled materials. Best of all, there are brands that offer all of these options AND at affordable prices, not dirt cheap, but affordable. As you are looking for brands that tout all of these environmentally friendly statements, revisit our check list for brand transparency to qualify the company. How to spot greenwashing here.
As for our recommendations, we have two brands that we would like to share.
Laura Lombardi utilizes up-cycled and recycled materials in the creation of the brand’s products. This brand often sources and uses vintage dead stock materials (inventory that does not sell) in the collection All brass used is recycled also. All plating is done in a zero waste (The EPA defines zero waste as a set of various principles) closed filtration system, and wherever possible, pieces are made by hand in the studio.
The collections are made in New York and New England with the support of several small, locally owned businesses. As Laura Lombardi’s website states, all parties involved in creating the brand’s products are paid fair, living wages!
The collection is bold and contemporary from the hoops to the necklaces, a Laura Lombardi piece makes a statement. To learn more and shop click here.
Another brand we love is SOKO. This ethical, women led business is also a certified B-Corp.
SOKO is a true disruptor in the jewelry industry as it is a tech-powered manufacturing platform built to connect artisans in Kenya with the global market. SOKO utilizes mobile technology to connect marginalized Kenyan artisans directly to the global marketplace. SOKO has tapped into the talented artistry found in Kenya and created a simple, commercially viable way to connect local artisans with the international market and industry. Their coined system is called a virtual factory. SOKO Artisans earn nearly five times more than an average artisan workshop.
SOKO offers stunning pieces using gold plated, silver, wood, brass and more unique materials. Whether you are looking for something understated or eye catching, this fabulous brand has a collection that will fit your taste.
To learn more and shop click here.
