Slow fashion, sustainability, and the circular fashion movement have taken the world by storm. And whilst all of this is fucking amazing (pls keep hitting up those charity shops, ladies and gents), it lowkey seems as if jewellery has been left behind.

I don’t know about you, but this year I decided to make a conscious effort to eliminate my fast fashion consumption, make slow fashion choices, and basically make Vinted my bestie. Yup, I was dead-set that in 2023 I would make a positive impact through making small choices about the way I present myself. However, I had a lightning bulb moment recently: why tf have I totally forgotten about my jewellery?

Now I’m a girl who fucking loves shiny things. In the words of my hero Taylor Swift: I can truly make the whole room ✨shimmer✨ with the amount of jewellery i’ve hoarded over the years. What I don’t love, however, is when those shiny things that make me feel so fucking beautiful, are made in a really ugly way using ugly materials that do ugly things for the planet and its people.

So, if you’re like me, and you want your beautiful shiny things to be genuinely beautiful: both aesthetically, and ethically, read this article. We’re gonna deep dive into all things ethical jewellery, teach you how to see through the marketing bullshit and determine if jewellery brands truly are as squeaky clean as they claim, and put you onto some hella gorgeous (and conscious) brands. Let’s get into it, bestie.

What is ethical jewellery?

Ethical jewellery means that the piece you're buying was produced in a responsible and thoughtful manner.

Ok, yeah, duh. But what does this actually mean?

Don’t worry girl, I’m gonna break it down for you.

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1) Responsibly sourced materials

Ethical jewellery ensures that the metals and gemstones used in the piece are obtained in a way that doesn't harm people or the environment. It avoids materials that come from mines with unfair labour practices or that cause significant environmental damage.

2) Fair treatment of workers

Ethical jewellery supports fair trade principles, which means the people involved in making the jewellery are treated well and paid fairly. They work in safe conditions, earn a decent wage, and their rights are respected.

3) No "blood" or conflict gemstones

Ethical jewellery avoids using gemstones that are associated with violence, human rights abuses, or environmental harm. Instead, it focuses on gemstones that have been responsibly mined and traded, ensuring that they don't contribute to harmful practices.

4) Environmentally friendly:

Ethical jewellery aims to minimise its impact on the environment. It uses production methods that are kinder to the planet, reduces waste and pollution, and supports sustainable practices like using less water and energy. Some brands even take steps to offset their carbon emissions.

5) Transparency and traceability:

Ethical jewellery is transparent about where its materials come from. It can tell you the origins of the metals and gemstones and ensure that every step of the production process meets ethical standards. This helps you make an informed choice and supports companies that prioritise transparency.

6) Supporting communities:

Ethical jewellery brands often give back to the communities they work with. They invest in things like education, healthcare, and local infrastructure, helping to improve the lives of the people involved in making the jewellery.

When you choose ethical jewellery, you can feel good knowing that your purchase supports responsible practices, protects the environment, and promotes fair treatment for workers. It's a way to express your style while making a positive impact on the world around you.

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How do you determine if a jewellery brand is ethical?

Materials: Look for brands that use recycled or responsibly-sourced metals and stones.

Transparency: Brands should be open about where and how their jewellery is made.

Certifications: Check for sustainability certifications or memberships, like Fair-trade or Responsible Jewellery Council.

Environmentally Friendly Practices: The brand should use manufacturing and packaging methods that minimise environmental harm.

Fair Practices: They should treat their workers well and engage in socially responsible initiatives.

Recycling Programs: Some brands take back old products for recycling or up-cycling.

Reviews and Ratings: Check what others say about the brand's sustainability.

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Some of our fave ethical and eco-friendly jewellery brands that you should know about:‍

Zoe Morton

Zoe Morton’s namesake label was created with one core mission in mind: to challenge the jewellery industry. Her metals are all 65-100% recycled, her supply chain can be traced responsibly back to her ethical workshop in Bali, and on top of that, each order is carbon offset through planting native trees with Ecologi! Plus her pieces are utterly stunning. I mean, just look at those gorgeous earrings. Going straight in my basket, thank you!

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Roxanne First

If you're on the hunt for exquisite jewellery that comes with the promise of ethical diamonds and metals, Roxanne First is your go-to place. They personally vet their suppliers, making certain that every jewel is crafted from materials procured responsibly. What's more, they've tossed the middleman out the window and sell straight to you. This ensures that you get diamonds that are easy on the pocketbook, all without skimping on sparkle and quality. Plus her designs are more fun and flirty than any fine jewellery brand i’ve ever seen. Cartier could NEVER.

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Rhimani

This gorgeous women-crafted beaded jewellery brand has three main goals: to create positivity through accessories, to not cause environmental harm, and to raise funds for wildlife conservation.

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All of the materials used are sustainable: the metal is sterling silver 925, the beads are glass and all of the packaging is 100% biodegradable. Uniquely, moreover, they have a wonderful goal to continually raise funds and educate the world about wildlife conservation in Kenya. A portion of every sale is put aside for the cause and they donate at least 10% of makings towards charities that focus on deprived communities in Kenya, and critical areas of African wildlife conservation.

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‍Missoma

I know you’ve already heard of Missoma and their pioneering 'demi-fine' jewellery. Trust me, even if you don’t recognise the name, you’ll recognise the pieces from your Pinterest board. They design unique pieces that empower self-expression, using responsibly sourced materials and crafting them in-house at their Notting Hill studios in London.

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Sustainability is at the core of their mission, as they strive to create a better future for the industry. They have achieved significant milestones, such as partnering with TreeSisters, using recycled metals in their collections, and adhering to ethical practices like the Kimberley Process and Responsible Jewellery Council membership.

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They recognise that no jewellery is 100% sustainable, but they’re making huge steps towards a transparent supply chain, eliminating greenwashing and reducing their carbon footprint.

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Monica Vinader

Monica Vinader is committed to sustainability, using only 100% recycled gold and sterling silver, which has resulted in a remarkable 2/3 reduction in the brand's emissions. When it comes to diamonds, they ensure responsible sourcing every step of the way. Plus they’ve got a whole section of their dedicated to their sustainable practices. Talk about transparency!

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Their best strength in my mind, though? The fact that all of their pieces are premium quality, timeless, and built to last. Shopping at Monica Vinader creates a legacy; one which helps eliminate fast, cheap jewellery consumption. Yay!

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Milly Grace

Milly Grace is all about crafting exceptional pieces with a sustainable focus and no hefty retail mark-up. She goes the extra mile by collaborating solely with ethically accredited suppliers. Embracing the concept of a circular economy, Milly Grace takes sustainable steps such as sourcing recycled 925 sterling silver from unwanted jewellery and repurposing unused electronic and medical equipment. Additionally, her commitment extends to using FSC certified recyclable branded packaging, ensuring an eco-friendly experience from start to finish.

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Shop Milly Grace to support a gorgeous small brand with a wonderful ethos!

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Lark and Berry

(Ethical) diamonds are a (conscious) girl’s best friend. And that’s exactly what Lark and Berry excel at. This bougie-sustainable jewellery brand has embraced cutting-edge technology to cultivate diamonds... in a lab. Who knew that was even possible? By replicating the precise climate and atmosphere in which diamonds naturally form, their cultured diamonds fall within the highest purity category. This cultured process not only reduces waste and minimizes water consumption but also has a significantly lower environmental impact. Moreover, it guarantees conflict-free stones with a completely traceable origin.

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Pearls and Pomegranates

Ok, so Pearls and Pomegranates isn't actually a jewellery brand per se; it's an online retailer specialising in curating handcrafted sustainable jewellery from independent brands. Whether you're looking for exquisite fine jewellery or more budget-friendly pieces, this platform serves as a convenient one-stop destination for all your ethical jewellery desires.

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‍Spells of Love

Ever wanted to share jewellery with Kendall Jenner? Same, boo. Well, if you cop yourself some of Spells of Love’s stunning pieces, you basically will be. This Kar-Jenner fave was born in a small studio in the heart of Wales, but is now worn all over the world. Defined by their unique aesthetic of demi-fine, beautifully crafted and sustainably sourced glam, this brand has garnered a cult following...and we can see why.

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Their ethical ethos is backed up by their commitment to only using recycled precious metals, sourcing ethically sourced stones, using a small-batch production process, and ensuring that their factory is part of the UN Global Compacts and Responsible Jewellery Council. Basically, they’re the beautiful inside and out.

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Kastur

Kastur’s ethos is gooder than GOLD...and their gold is pretty damn good too! This fine jewellery brand is dedicated to sourcing and producing jewellery in an ethical manner, with a strong focus on their humanitarian initiative program, which lies at the core of the brand. Founder Rajvi Vora has over 8 years of experience working directly with international humanitarian development programs across different regions, from the Horn of Africa to Afghanistan. To this day, Rajvi continues to lead their humanitarian missions and champion humanitarian development through the brand. With Kastur you can rest easy knowing you’re contributing to an incredibly impactful and driven developmental cause.