Jewellery is a gift, for a loved-one or to oneself, that often comes with a story. So, itās important the piece itself tells a story of integrity. As such, looking for sustainable jewellery from an ethical brand should be top of the list.
The jewellery industry and mining trade of gems and precious metals is rooted in exploitation (you can read more about this here). Meanwhile fast-fashion production of accessories and leather goods continues to be a blight on the environment and perpetuate the mistreatment of factory workers and animals.
As such, genuinely ethical and sustainable jewellery brands can be exceptionally hard to come by. But, not when you know where to look…
Featured below are seven of our favourite ethical and sustainable jewellery and accessory brands. They are working hard to effect change. They collaborate with trusted suppliers and uphold high standards.
Whether youāre looking for a unique necklace, a minimalist watch or even a bespoke ring, these brands craft pieces that can be worn proudly. You can shop in-line with your values, knowing the piece was made in a way that doesnāt tarnish its sentimental meaning.
The Live Frankly seal of approval:
These are really good brands, doing good things. To be included in this list, each brand has been given the Live Frankly seal of approval. We are not a certification, but we talk with every brand and ask them to complete a comprehensive questionnaire about their ethical standards before we feature them. No brand is perfect ā we’re all operating in an imperfect world ā but only purpose-driven brands that are working to change things for the better are allowed on Live Frankly.
We ask that workers’ rights and pay are ensured across the supply chain, that brands use sustainable materials and want to know about their governance structures. This means you can be confident these brands are some of the most ethical and sustainable around. If you have any questions please get in touch.
Best sustainable and ethical jewellery brands at a glance:
- Vintage jewellery with a modern touch: Amadeus
- Jewellery for free spirits: Loft & Daughter, Shop Like You Give A Damn
- Romanticistsā treasure cast from nature: Eily O Connell
- ‘Kind not mined’ fine jewellery with lab-grown diamonds: Ethica Diamonds
- Everyday pieces made from recycled gold and silver: Solitude the Label, Project Cece
- Beautifully simple yet intricate pieces: Nouare Jewelry, Shop Like You Give A Damn
- Cool but elegantly designed sustainable jewellery: GaĆ¢la, Project CECE
1. Amadeus
Why we love Amadeus jewellery
- Amadeus owner Nathalie Simond’s mission is to end the cycle of ābuy cheap, buy moreā and offer their customers more conscious jewellery choices.
- Instead she wants to reuse what already exists. Amadeus buys vintage jewellery and melts it down to reuse and sources embellishments such as pears from old clothes or bags, or from dead stock to reuse.
- They reuse gemstones which they cut to size which avoids mining as sourcing ethical stones is difficult, in part because there are no established bodies tracing gemstones from mine to market.
- This method limits the amount of stock they’re able to create, but ensures they keep to their sustainable ethos.
- They offer a bespoke jewellery experience which is popular with brides who want to incorporate family jewellery but want it modernised, creating a truly one-of-a-kind piece.
Amadeus best-sellers:
Athena Gold Cuff Bracelet
Ā£125
Laura Mini Hoop Earrings
Ā£95
Gia Thick Chain Necklace
Ā£130
Why Amadeus is a better choice
- Nathalie says: āI created Amadeus to democratise access to true craftsmanship, rich in know-how, by offering quality at an affordable price. The collection I offer is 100% handmade, both eclectic and ethnically inspired.ā
- Every artisan, including founder Nathalie Simond, is paid equally and well above minimum wage.
- All employees are offered extra training if required and also a percentage of the business profits goes to employees.
- Amadeus uses vegan polishing products and non-toxic pickle to remove oxidisation after soldering.
- All packaging is plastic free and jewellery pouches are made from recycled clothing.
- It’s a women owned brand and the jewellery is made by women.
- They use all recycled gold and silver and are B Corp certified.
SHOP AMADEUS NOW
2. Loft & Daughter, Shop Like You Give A Damn
Why we like Loft & Daughter jewellery
- Loft & Daughter was founded by Katie Sheehan who left her fashion career to start her own brand.
- Its collection includes everything from necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets and anklets featuring charms, gemstones and pearls.
- Stepping away from fashion trends, its designs celebrate traditional slow craftsmanship of jewellery making of artisans based near Jaipur.
Loft & Daughters’ best-sellers:
Finders Keepers Earrings
Ā£129.20
Link Chain Compass Pendant
Ā£219.30
Gold Plated Snake Chain
Ā£119
Why Loft & Daughter is a better choice
- The brand visits each organisation it partners and its mission is to improve the socio-economic standing of its artisans, along with their families and communities.
- Made in a workshop run on solar energy.
- Everything is made from recycled materials.
- The jewellery is made by artisans in India who are World Fair Trade Organization members.
- It is a 1% For The Planet member and BCorp Certified.
SHOP LOFT & DAUGHTER NOW
3. Ethica Diamonds
Why we love Ethica Diamonds jewellery
- Ethica Diamonds is an award-winning ethical jewellers specialising in truly meaningful fine jewellery.
- Their collection includes everything from elegant everyday pieces ā stud earrings, dainty bracelets and standout pendant necklaces ā to a variety of intricate and eye-catching engagement rings.Ā
- They also offer a bespoke service, where you can design a piece from scratch or put your stamp on an existing design.Ā
- The best part? This luxury jewellery doesnāt come at too steep a cost ā to you, or the earth ā because the brand prioritises both fair pricing and fair production.Ā
Ethica Diamond’s best-sellers:
The Sophie Ring
Ā£4,010
The Diana Pendant
Ā£1,470
The Tiegan Earrings
Ā£535
Why Ethica Diamonds is a better choice
- Their mantra is ākind, not mined”, meaning all of their materials are sustainably sourced, including their precious metals and stones.
- They use only high-quality diamonds and gemstones which are lab-grown by trusted partners.
- Ethica Diamondsā also ensures their manufacturers match their principles of social and environmental responsibility.
- They hold various accreditations, including Fairtrade Gold label and SCS certification, as well as being members of 1% for the Planet.
SHOP ETHICA DIAMONDS NOW
4. Eily O Connell
Why we love Eily O Connell jewellery
- Eily O Connell jewellery is full of romanticistsā treasure where designs range from whimsical to more gothic statement pieces.
- Many feature an impressive mix of stunningly arranged gemstones, enamels and metal.
- Owner, director and goldsmith, Eily O Connell, is heavily inspired by the natural world informed by her childhood growing up on the wild Donegal coast in Ireland.
- Unusually, Eily casts each piece from a natural object which gives each piece of jewellery its distinct texture and style.
- The collections often highlight important ecological issues with themes including āman’s destruction of natureā being a base inspiration for some designs in a bid to illuminate the harm we are doing to the planet.Ā
- After studying the glacial melt and then travelling to Iceland in 2020, O Connell explored the topic of this environmental impact through the creation of her collection āFloatā.
Eily O Connell’s best-sellers:
Gold Bark Drops
Ā£245
Look What I Found
Ā£1,085
Oyster Reef
Ā£3,445
Why Eily O Connell is a better choice
- O Connell almost entirely produces her items by herself in her studio.
- She uses all recycled gold and silver for the main body of her items
- You can buy pre-designed pieces or order something bespoke, designed just for you.
- Roughly 50% of Eily O Connell’s gemstones are from Fairtrade.
- All the brand’s packaging is made from recycled and recyclable materials, including the ribbon and printing paper.
SHOP EILY O CONNELL NOW
5. Solitude the Label, Project Cece
Why we like Solitude the Label jewellery
- Solitude is a woman-founded brand, started by two sisters who make jewellery, bags and sportswear.
- The collection is both designed and made in the owner’s studio in Amsterdam.
- Solitude’s jewellery is a timelessly designed collection of simple everyday pieces.
- Its jewellery is made from solid silver or gold, so it won’t tarnish over time, and is still a fairly accessible price point.
- They create demi fine jewellery, often in organic shapes, including necklaces, dainty rings, earrings and bracelets.
- Solitude can also create bespoke engagement and wedding jewellery and melt down existing jewellery to make it.
Solitude the Label best-sellers:
Element Hoop Earrings
Ā£20
Pearl Silver Necklace
Ā£97.75
Seven Dot Silver Ring
Ā£55.90
Why Solitude the Label is a better choice
- The jewellery is 99% made from recycled gold and silver.
- They only work with sustainable materials.
- Solitude doesn’t use gold plated jewellery as it tarnishes and usually leads to just buying more to replace it.
- Its packaging is plastic free.
SHOP SOLITUDE THE LABEL NOW
6. Nouare Jewelry, Shop Like You Give A Damn
Why we love Nouare jewelry
- Owner Marie Bertel is a French jewellery designer based in the UK who specialises in creating jewellery you don’t see everyday.
- She makes all the stunningly simple yet intricate pieces, from necklaces, earrings to rings, by hand from recycled silver.
- The designs are quite minimalist and many of them will endure the test of time instead of following trends.
- Everything is handmade, meaning each piece is unique.
- Often the designs are inspired by nature or spirituality, from lotus flowers to goddesses.
Nouare’s best-sellers:
Silver Ball Necklace
Ā£35.28
Gold Ear Cuff
Ā£25.08
Gold Necklace
Ā£70.13
Why Nouare Jewelry is a better choice
- This is jewellery that literally doesnāt cost the earth ā not only is it brilliantly sustainably and ethically made, itās also affordable.
- Her creations are made from either recycled gold or silver that are also nickel and lead free.
- All of the packaging is made from recycled materials.
SHOP NOUARE JEWELRY NOW
7. GaĆ¢la, Project CECE
Why we love GaĆ¢la jewellery
- GaĆ¢la is a family-run business making fashion, accessories and jewellery that’s all about making chic Parisian style sustainably.
- Its fashion is made from luxury deadstock fabrics that would otherwise go to waste.
- Everything is ordered on preorder, which dramatically minimises waste.
- Pearl lovers will find plenty in GaĆ¢la’s cool but elegantly designed collection.
- In the spirit of slow fashion, its jewellery designs are timeless and don’t follow trends.
GaĆ¢la’s best-sellers:
Pearl Necklace
Ā£144.50
Helena Earrings
Ā£119
Audrey Necklace
Ā£178.50
Why GaĆ¢la is a better choice
- GaĆ¢la only uses small scale family owned European workshops.
- Most of the fabrics it works with are natural.
- The brand uses works with upcycled materials
- It upholds its slow fashion ethos by only making pieces once they’re ordered.
SHOP GAĆLA NOW
Main image: photography by Amadeus
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