Searching high and low for eye-catching jewelry that aligns with your eco values and lifestyle?
Then this in-depth guide is for YOU!
But first…
What does sustainability mean when it comes to jewelry? Keep reading to find out.
When you hold a piece of sustainable jewelry, it basically means that in the process of making that necklace, earring, ring, bracelet, or any other piece of jewelry, there were no detrimental or adverse effects on the environment or the people making it. This means that a considered approach to business was highly important in terms of how raw materials are sourced and processed. As well as how and where a piece is manufactured, packaged, sold, and even how a product is disposed of at the end of its lifecycle.
The main component of jewelry making is, of course, the materials. Sustainably-sourced and ethically-sourced materials are key. But what are they?
Responsibly mined precious metals and gemstones
Note: When it comes to diamonds, the Kimberly Process is an important standard to look for. This certification ensures that a diamond is not mined or traded illegally in violation of human rights and environmental regulations. There are also certifications for ethically made gold and other metals.
Recycled or reclaimed metals and gemstones
Upcycled plastic, rubber and other waste
Natural fibers and other biodegradable or compostable materials
Now let’s talk about manufacturing…
Sustainable brands are committed to reducing their carbon footprint and greenhouse gas emissions and minimizing their waste. Some deploy low—or zero-carbon technologies, while others use solar and wind energy to power energy-efficient equipment and lighting. Others use a zero-waste or circular approach to their production and operations or participate in carbon offset programs to reduce the negative impacts of manufacturing and shipping.
Sustainable jewelry brands are also thoughtful about one of our most precious natural resources – water. Reducing water usage or investing in wastewater treatment is especially necessary for jewelry makers that work with sustainable gold, silver, and other metals. These processes traditionally use excess amounts of water or leave behind dangerous chemicals and solvents. Toxic chemicals in the air and water endanger human health. That’s why conscious consumers, like conscious brands, avoid cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, and nickel and prefer non-toxic and low-impact materials, ingredients, and dyes.
Other business practices used by sustainable jewelry brands include:
Sourcing raw materials locally
Sourcing from sustainable suppliers
Using sustainable, recycled, and recyclable packaging
Offering product recycling programs to customers
Taking back and reselling secondhand products to customers
While these are wonderful examples of sustainable business practices that many eco and fair-trade jewelry brands use, there is more to sustainable jewelry than how it impacts the environment. Many brands care about workers, too. Conscious brands ensure fair wages and safe, healthy working environments across their supply chains, from miners to designers to makers and artisans.
You’re thinking…“This all sounds too good to be true.” Well, it’s not! If you’re scrolling the internet for jewelry that aligns with your values and ticks your ‘need’ and ‘want’ box, you’ll be jumping for joy in a second. Because we’ve curated the ultimate list of jewelry brands that you can feel good shopping from.
So let’s get to the list!
P.S. Our site contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase, we earn a commission. This is at no additional cost to you. Be assured, all brands and products meet our sustainable and ethical criteria.
SOKO
Made with Recycled & Natural Materials
Ethically Made by Artisans in Kenya
Provides Jobs & Economic Opportunity for Women
SOKO is a black-owned and women-owned ethical jewelry brand that connects artisans in Kenya with a global market. As a certified B Corp, they believe in using business as a force for good. They're using technology to disrupt the traditional supply chain model. And in doing so, they're reducing inequality and poverty through the creation of quality jobs with dignity and purpose. Their jewelry is made from 24k gold-plated recycled brass and locally-sourced recycled glass.
Brand Certifications:
B Corporation
Positive Impact:
Supports Small Artisans
Promotes Fair Trade
Pays Fair Wages
See AllSupports Small Artisans
Promotes Fair Trade
Pays Fair Wages
Fights Poverty
Promotes Slow Fashion
Promotes Sustainability
Promotes Women & Equality
Astor & Orion
Made with Sustainable & Recycled Materials
Uses Circular Design Principles
Ethically Made in Thailand
Hello aesthetics. Meets ethics. Astor & Orion makes jewelry from recycled metals and stones that can AGAIN be recycled or composted. And they offer a take back program! They're a member of the Sustainable Fashion Alliance, Fashion Revolution and Seattle Remake Community. They make their goods in Thailand at a SEDEX Member factory. This means routine audits to ensure ethical business practices. It has a Carbon Offset Certificate from the Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization. Operates state of the art water filtration and air exhaust systems. Air is filtered for workers' safety and to reclaim gold and silver dust which is fed back into the refinery stage.
Positive Impact:
Promotes Fair Trade
Promotes a Circular Economy
Pays Fair Wages
See AllPromotes Fair Trade
Promotes a Circular Economy
Pays Fair Wages
Promotes Slow Fashion
Promotes Sustainability
Prioritizes Zero Waste
Aurate
Made with Sustainable & Recycled Materials
Woman-Founded & Owned
Gives Back
Aurate is a fine jewelry maker that cares as much about ethics and people as they do about quality and craftsmanship. Diamonds adhere stricly to the Kimberly Process. 14K and 18K gold pieces are made from recycled gold. Pearls are sourced from sustainable farms. All craftspeople and makers are paid fair wages, whether they are designing out of Aurate's New York City studio or casting and finishing at their partner facility in Thailand (who also happens to be a Certified Member of the Responsible Jewellery Council). This is truly jewelry to love for the ages.
Brand Certifications:
Kimberley Process
Positive Impact:
Promotes Fair Trade
Promotes a Circular Economy
Pays Fair Wages
See AllPromotes Fair Trade
Promotes a Circular Economy
Pays Fair Wages
Promotes Slow Fashion
Promotes Sustainability
Promotes Women & Equality
ABLE
Ethically Made in Nashville & Around the World
Provides Jobs & Economic Opportunity for Women
Fights Poverty and Inequality
ABLE is a SIZE INCLUSIVE ethical women's clothing and accessories brand that exists to employ and empower women as a solution to ending poverty. The brand began when three brave women from Ethiopia sought to leave the commercial sex industry. Now it's a global movement! Their workers are still often survivors of abuse and addiction. It is radically transparent, publishing every wage as a way of challenging the entire fashion industry toward a better way of doing business.
Positive Impact:
Promotes Fair Trade
Pays Fair Wages
Fights Poverty
See AllPromotes Fair Trade
Pays Fair Wages
Fights Poverty
Promotes Slow Fashion
Promotes Women & Equality
Nyrelle Jewelry
Made with Sustainable Materials
Ethically & Transparently Sourced
Uses Circular Design Principles
Nyrelle makes 100% traceable fine jewelry. Nyrelle was founded on the belief that we all have a responsibility to preserve and protect our planet. The majority of their jewelry is crafted from 100% recycled gold from reclaimed jewelry pieces. They also use conflict-free diamonds, fairmined gold and silver and traceable gemstones. Nyrelle is a registered Fairtrade Goldsmith. The garnets in their Moyo collection are mined by female artisanal miners in Tanzania. Each gem can be traced back to the exact woman who mined it. They partner with Moyo Gems to invest 10% of their gemstone order value in the education of female artisanal miners in Tanga, Tanzania. Nyrelle buys back their jewelry at 20% of the purchase price to be upcycled into new pieces.
Brand Certifications:
Fair Trade International Gold
Kimberley Process
Positive Impact:
Supports Small Artisans
Promotes Fair Trade
Promotes a Circular Economy
See AllSupports Small Artisans
Promotes Fair Trade
Promotes a Circular Economy
Pays Fair Wages
Promotes Slow Fashion
Promotes Sustainability
Prioritizes Zero Waste
Edge of Ember
Ethically Made in Asia
Made with Responsibly Sourced Materials
Made with Sustainable Materials
Edge of Ember is a women-founded and owned jewelry maker that only partners with producers who share their values. Most are certified members of the Responsible Jewellery Council who pay at least a living wage and are committed to reducing their carbon footprint. Materials include lab-grown diamonds sourced from India and recycled metals sourced from local Umicore refineries.
Brand Certifications:
Responsible Jewellery Council
Positive Impact:
Promotes Fair Trade
Promotes a Circular Economy
Pays Fair Wages
See AllPromotes Fair Trade
Promotes a Circular Economy
Pays Fair Wages
Promotes Slow Fashion
Promotes Sustainability
Promotes Women & Equality
Prioritizes Zero Waste
Made Trade
Promotes Fair Wages & Ethical Employment
Made with Responsibly Sourced Materials
Woman-Owned
Made Trade is a highly curated ethical marketplace where you will find home goods, accessories and clothing products ranging in style from bold prints to boho chic to fashionably minimalist. This woman owned and family run business is fully committed to equity, sustainability and transparency. You can even filter by: fair trade produced, made with sustainable materials, handcrafted by artisans, made in the USA, BIPOC owned, woman owned, recycled and vegan. Made Trade is climate neutral certified.
Brand Certifications:
Climate Neutral Certified
Positive Impact:
Supports Small Artisans
Promotes Fair Trade
Fights Climate Change
See AllSupports Small Artisans
Promotes Fair Trade
Fights Climate Change
Pays Fair Wages
Promotes Slow Fashion
Promotes Sustainability
Promotes Women & Equality
Matr Boomie
Ethically Made by Artisans in India
Made with Sustainable Materials
Preserves Indigenous Culture & Crafts
Matr Boomie partners with over 1,500 artisans in India to feature fair trade collections that blend traditional artforms with timeless and modern design. They work with marginalized communities to break the gender and inequality gap by investing in vocational training, literacy programs and fair wage opportunities for women. Most products are made from compostable or recycled materials. They prefer use of natural dyes. When not possible, they ensure synthetic dyes are non-toxic and AZO-free. Wood products are made from dead trees and planned, responsible deforestation. Bone comes from naturally deceased animals. Leather is vegetable tanned. They installed a water filtration system for their block printing partner to save 1 million gallons annually and remove toxins from discharge. Air shipping is kept to a minimum in favor of freight shipping to reduce their carbon footprint. Upcycled saris are used to package products and have the added bonus of providing incomes to artisan partners who stitch the bags.
Positive Impact:
Supports Small Artisans
Promotes Fair Trade
Pays Fair Wages
See AllSupports Small Artisans
Promotes Fair Trade
Pays Fair Wages
Fights Poverty
Promotes Slow Fashion
Promotes Sustainability
Promotes Women & Equality
Welljourn
Made in Emerging Markets
Handcrafted by Artisans
Promotes Fair Wages & Ethical Employment
Welljourn is a curated collection of fair trade goods that create harmony in your soul and home. Browse their one-of-a-kind collection of jewelry, home decor, kitchen and diningware, art and selfcare items. Everything you find on Welljourn is artisan made and fair trade, which means everyone is earning a fair wage and working in safe conditions.
Positive Impact:
Supports Small Artisans
Promotes Fair Trade
Pays Fair Wages
See AllSupports Small Artisans
Promotes Fair Trade
Pays Fair Wages
Fights Poverty
DoneGood
Promotes Fair Wages & Ethical Employment
Made Ethically & Sustainably
Made with Responsibly Sourced Materials
Done Good's motto? Use your purchasing power for good. On this ethical marketplace, you'll only find products that are made in a way that's good for people and the planet. They define "good for people" as brands that empower workers, pay fair wages and are always free of trafficking, child labor and unsafe working conditions. They define "good for the planet" as brands that use eco-friendly production processes, non-toxic or organic or recycled/upcycled materials and are always taking other significant steps to protect land, water and air.
Brand Certifications:
B Corporation
Positive Impact:
Promotes Fair Trade
Pays Fair Wages
Promotes Slow Fashion
See AllPromotes Fair Trade
Pays Fair Wages
Promotes Slow Fashion
Promotes Sustainability
Did you ever think that discovering ethical and sustainable jewelry can be this easy?
No more wasted hours scrolling Instagram trying to figure out if the cute new jewelry brand you found is ‘naughty’ or ‘nice.’
If you’re looking to shop sustainable dresses, sandals or handbags, you can find it all right here on The Greatest Good!
