9 Ethical And Sustainable Jewelry Brands To Know

Like the worlds of conventional beauty and fast fashion, the ethical side of jewelry depends on two main things: the source and the supply chain. Your jewelry is probably the most expensive thing in your wardrobe, but did you know that the hefty price you pay comes with civil war, human atrocities, forced child labor, and environmental catastrophes?

The worst part is that most consumers don't even know half of it; we are lured in by clever marketing and hindered by the complete lack of transparency. When looking for ethical and sustainable jewelry, there are many things you need to take into account. Like fast fashion, it's super complicated and can be hard to dissect. But I will do my best!

Sustainable Jewelry Brand we think you will love!

The most sustainable jewelry is made up of fairtrade-certified metals. Recycled or reclaimed metals, vintage gems and diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, and even second-hand or thrifted are great.

But, to help you make more informed decisions at the end of this article we've got guides on why choosing eco-friendly jewelry is better for people and the planet as well as the criteria we use to make shopping a little easier for you!

1. Valley Rose

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Valley Rose checks all the ethical boxes with its stunning sustainable jewelry collection. Each piece is so unique that it will be hard to choose just one. Their rings, earrings, and necklaces all offer something unique in how they are designed and made and would make the perfect addition to any ethical wardrobe.

They specialize in original one-of-a-kind fine jewelry and custom engagement rings, exclusively cast in Fairmined gold — the leading actively ethical gold for fine jewelry.

In addition to their lab-grown and recycled diamonds, they provide a curated collection of ethically sourced, unique earth-mined stones from artisanal miners worldwide.

Valley Rose's materials

Valley Rose is among the first brands to carry SCS's new sustainably rated diamonds in its exclusive bridal collection. In addition to their lab-grown and recycled diamonds, they offer a selection of ethically sourced unique earth-mined stones from artisanal miners worldwide.

Their 14k Fairmined Gold is the leading industry sustainable and ethical gold choice. Their gold is only from responsible Artisanal and Small-scale Mining (ASM). It is backed by a rigorous 3rd party certification and audit system that ensures that small entrepreneurial mining communities meet world-leading standards for responsible practices.

Valley Rose's ethical sourcing

Buying fair-mined gold helps to invest in the social, economic, and environmentally sustainable development of miners, their families, workers, and the community.

Every piece is cast from 100% Fairmined gold. The components of their jewelry that aren't available in fair-mined (like earring posts and earring backs) are made from conventional gold or certified recycled gold whenever possible. 

Valley Rose's corporate responsibility

The ring boxes they use are not made of recycled or compostable materials. Instead, they are constructed from paper board (with minimal plastic) and are lined with polyester fabric. These boxes are of high quality and are designed for customers to keep and use for jewelry storage.

However, all other packaging elements, including shipping labels, shipping boxes, packing tape, notecards, stickers, and tissue paper, are either made from post-consumer recycled materials or are plastic-free and compostable.

They support a number of causes, including BIPOC, women’s rights, animal rights, and environmental protection. And they donate at least 1% of their sales to One Tree Planted.

A portion of their profits are dedicated to tree planting initiatives and "Gem Legacy," a program designed to support vulnerable gemstone mining communities.

2. Arlokea

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Arlokea sells everything you need to accessorize like a queen, including earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings. Arlokea was founded to be a business for good; it's an ethical business that is designed to "champion activists who are working to fight social injustices in their communities."

Arlokea makes some of the most affordable artisan sustainable jewelry. When you choose an item on their website there is a little dropdown box for each item that tells you where the item is from, what it's made from and who made it. I love this feature so much.

Arlokea's Materials

Most of their eco-friendly rings and bracelets are made from recycled materials considered waste or used materials like resin, brass, and copper. They also use bone and horns which are a by-product of the food industry to make some of the necklaces. You will also find delicate treasures made from salvaged woods, gold, silver, and even Tagua seeds which are grown organically.

All of the reclaimed metals are chemical-free, and any used gold complies with the EU nickel directive. If you are vegan, you will find lots of cruelty-free options to choose from.

Arlokea's Ethical Sourcing

Arlokea works with artisans from all over the world, and each and every piece tells a really lovely story. The Tagua Spot Studs are made by hand by Fair Trade Winds an artisan co-op based in Ecuador that works to actively empower women to help them gain financial independence.

The Tagua seeds come from the Tague Palm Tree; the seeds are removed from the nut, dried, and tied into gorgeous ethical earrings.

Each bracelet tells a beautiful story too. The Goddess Cuff is handmade using reclaimed brass and produced ethically in India by a female cooperative that bends the thick wire using handheld tools.

The long-chain gold necklace is at the top of my list. Want it!

Arlokea's Corporate Responsibility

Arlokea has three main social branches to its business: health, education, and community. They believe health is essential to support the fight against illness by funding research and supporting individuals and families affected by the disease.

Where education is concerned, they use funds directed toward their nonprofit partners in education that are focused on allowing children to stay in school and have an equal chance of receiving a quality education.

Community to them means removing barriers and building bridges through art, sports, and other endeavors.

3. Daria Day

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Daria Day offers stunning collections of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and rings. It would be virtually impossible to pick a favorite. Daria Day works with 50-60 artisans in the remote mountains in Gilgit Baltistan in Northern Pakistan.

These three collectives are made of artisans who are living in largely isolated and economically disadvantaged communities. Every piece of jewelry is handcrafted with care.

If you love gemstones (and who doesn't?!), you will love Daria Day. They have 17 gemstones to choose from, and you can check out the Gemstone Academy to learn more about each one.

Each design begins as a concept by founder, Farrukh Lalani, and is handcrafted as a limited edition design by their artisans in Northern Pakistan.

Each piece of jewelry comes with a product card so you can learn more about the artisan that created the piece as well as the origin of the gemstone. And because each piece is handcrafted, no two pieces are alike, making each Daria Day jewelry piece special.

Daria Day's Materials + Ethical Sourcing

As part of their commitment to sustainability, the Daria Day team employs local miners to source their silver and gemstones. These artisans are closely affiliated with the Rupani Foundation, an "NGO that has created a rigorous testing process and ensures our gemstones are of the highest quality."

Daria Day is a Canadian company that sources and makes all of its jewelry in this remote part of Pakistan. They do this because they want to keep the value within the region. Gemstones have traditionally been smuggled out of the region so none of the local communities benefit from the natural resources or mining activity.

On their website, they have a page dedicated to all of their makers, which is something I really love. It puts a name and face to the item you are wearing, which is of the utmost importance in the slow fashion movement.

Daria Day's Corporate Responsibility

By working with artisans in these small communities, Daria Day is helping to break the cycle of poverty. The goal is to bring prosperity directly to the artisans and their families. Their partnership with the Rupani Foundation takes all of this to the next level.

"The Rupani Foundation was established in 2007 in order to create employment, promote equity participation, and reduce poverty in the marginalized and underserved mountainous as well as urban and rural communities living across Pakistan. The mission of the Rupani Foundation is to engage these regions by integrating underprivileged areas and people into the evolving global socio-economic society during the coming decades".

4. Spirit of Vera

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Spirit of Vera is a small, local Toronto jeweler founded by Vera, who is a ray of sunshine. Vera founded her company after traveling to Mexico where she was introduced to a local Mayan Shaman who showed her the traditional way of working with silver. Her journey then continued to Guatemala where the idea to start a silversmith business was born.

This sustainable handmade jewelry has some of the prettiest rings and necklaces. What I love about her creations is you can layer them, giving them that really boho feel.

Spirit of Vera's Materials + Ethical Sourcing

Sprit of Vera uses sustainable sterling silver that comes from recycled post-consumer goods like electronics, photography equipment, appliances, security tags, car part, silverware, and jewelry.

They source all of their silver from secondary refineries which have reduced their energy consumption by 33% in the last decade. They have also taken steps to completely eliminate toxic solvents from the cleaning process. There is zero nickel, lead, or cadmium in any of the silver.

Gold is recycled responsibly (without producing excess CO2 & without the use of toxic chemical agents) in Canada and the USA. Material is in compliance with the responsible jewelers' council and has the ISO9001 (quality) and OHAS 18001 (health and safety) certifications.

Gold is recycled using an environmentally responsible, and energy-efficient process. Certified by SCS Global Services.

Their gold refining site is ISO14001 (environment) certified. This means that an external auditor verifies legal compliance and the continued improvement of their environmental performance. In addition, their refining site is also a certified member of the Responsible Jewellery Council.

Spirit of Vera's Corporate Responsibility

In addition to sustainable materials and sourcing, Vera is committed to sustainability in other ways too. Each piece is soldered, annealed, and work-hardened to ensure durability, and you also get a lifetime warranty. If your item breaks, they will fix it for free!

5. kimber elements

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kimber elements is a Seattle-based artisan sustainable jewelry brand that partners with 30 Masai women in Kenya to make the most stunning beaded necklaces, earrings, and rings.

All of their designs not only celebrate traditional crafts but also promote wildlife conservation. They follow four pillars of sustainability: intentional design, economic & social impact, giving back, and protecting wildlife.

I love the way they use traditional textures, colors, and patterns, I was born and raised in Africa and looking at these designs makes me feel at home.

kimber elements Materials + Ethical Sourcing

kimber elements give Indigenous women dignified business opportunities "in order to elevate them as change-makers and catalysts for social and environmental change". They do this by partnering with women in areas where wildlife is most at risk.

The women who make these magnificent pieces are skilled artisans in the ancient craft of beading, but they typically have no access to a consistent market. kimber elements are changing that by connecting them to to a market of socially conscious customers, preserving their craft, and sharing their stories. 

Gender equality is of the utmost importance for kimber elements. All the artisans are paid fair wages which allows them access to education for their children and at the same time enables them to support their families.

"Artisans are learning business skills and increasing financial security by collectively reinvesting a portion of their wages in sustainable micro-businesses to produce alternative sources of reliable income."

Wildlife Works eco-factory is located in a wildlife sanctuary in Kenya. Their carbon-neutral factory creates a market-driven solution to wildlife conservation by supplying the local community with dignified jobs that replace unsustainable sources of income.

kimber elements partners with Wildlife Works to fashion our jewelry bags from local deadstock fabric (the fabric that is no longer in production) or scraps from their sustainable garment production. Each bag is well-crafted and randomly unique. 

kimber elements Corporate Responsibility

Not only do they elevate the lives of Indigenous women, but they also partner with wildlife organizations that are on the front lines of conservation and biodiversity. 10% of every piece purchased is dedicated to their "Wildest Dreams scholarship fund to provide educational opportunities for our artisans' daughters to study and pursue a career in wildlife conservation."

Part of their work also includes partnering with Big Life Foundation, an NGO working on protecting wildlife in Kenya.

6. Astor + Orion

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Ever thought you would be able to buy jewelry created by a 3D printer? Astor + Orion are major innovators when it comes to ethical and sustainable jewelry. The process begins with the design. Once the design is approved, a 3D prototype is sent to their ethical manufacturing facility in Bangkok, Thailand where its cast and finished.

Necklaces, hoop earrings, and studs are just some of the lineup, and the backs of these pieces are just as beautiful as the front! Inspired by the natural world, they favor organic curves and interlocking geometric shapes that can only be created as a part of a hand-driven design process.

Astor + Orion's Materials + Ethical Sourcing

#whomademyjewelry is a big part of who they are. They use recycled metals in their casting stage and they also make a point of designing their jewelry to be easily recycled again. They note: "This means we don’t use any stones or a whole host of other materials that would prevent the metal from being reclaimed and returned to its resource loop."

They have also eliminated the need for tons of chemicals by sticking to melting, casting, and finishing metals. Items are designed in Seattle and made in an ethical, third-party certified factory in Thailand. And they are not playing around, adding:

"We chose a manufacturing partner that has put over 15 years of effort towards achieving third-party certification in multiple areas and who has a vertically integrated production process that goes from the wax, casting, cutting, polishing, finishing, and packaging stages. "

Some of these certifications include:

• ISO 9001: 2015: This standard governs the Quality Management Systems required to meet the brand’s specifications for their products.
• ISO 14001:This standard covers the Environmental Impacts of the factory at the local level.
• ISO 45001: This standard covers the occupational health and safety of the workers.
• Eco-Industrial Town Certificate: Demonstrates further coordination and leadership towards the sustainability goals in their local province.

You can read more about their certifications on their website.

Astor + Orion's Corporate Responsibility

They are doing some really impressive stuff when it comes to ethical sourcing and manufacturing. Not only are all their workers paid well and work in safe environments, with a low environmental footprint, they also ship everything in compostable mailers, and use recycled cardboard mailing boxes with recycled paper labels.

They have partnered with Seattle-based Ridwell to make sure their hard-to-recycle items from their offices such as lightbulbs, printer cartridges, and plastic films do not end up in the landfill.

To help promote conscious consumerism and support the sustainable fashion community, they are members of the Sustainable Fashion Alliance. They offer a credit for any returned items towards a new piece of jewelry, so they can reuse it and keep the closed-loop going. Use Welcome10 for 10% off.

7. Clean Origin

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Clean Origin makes ethical diamond jewelry that will certainly hold true to the saying "diamonds are a girl's best friend". I mean, I have to admit, receiving a diamond as a gift from my hubby is pretty exciting, and knowing it's ethical is even better.

No matter what your occasion is, they've got it — weddings, engagements, bands, stackables, earrings, tennis bracelets, and much much more.

Lab diamonds are eco-friendly, ethically sourced, and 20-30% less expensive than mined diamonds! The environmental benefits of choosing lab-grown caught my eye first: not only are the carbon emissions of a lab-grown diamond only 4.8% of a mined diamond, but they also require less than half as much energy for production. Furthermore, the mineral waste per carat of diamond in the lab is only 1 pound, compared to 5798 pounds for a mined diamond.

Clear Origins Materials + Ethical Sourcing

Are lab-grown diamonds real? Absolutely! Although they originate in a lab and not in a mine, lab-grown diamonds are identical to mined diamonds. How is this possible?

Clean Origin, a lab-grown diamond company explains that lab-created diamonds are put through a scientific process that achieves the same quality as mined diamonds. There are two different processes they can undergo: High-Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD).

The two processes use a combination of heat and pressure to form a diamond. One common misconception is that lab-grown diamonds are completely perfect. However, they have graded the same exact way as mined diamonds: using the 4 C’s. Which means vary in color, imperfections, and flaws.

All the metals (gold, silver, platinum, etc.) they use are recycled and certified by The Responsible Jewellery Council.

Clear Origins Corporate Responsibility

They use carbon offsets and ship in recycled packaging.

8. Soko

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I'm in love with every single one of Soko's designs. From dainty to date night and everything in between, this artisan sustainable jewelry brand offers rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces made from an eclectic array of materials. Soko is female-founded and led, and works directly with a robust artisan community in Kenya.

Soko's Materials and Ethical Sourcing

No matter what kind of materials you are looking for, you'll find a range at Soko. The 24k gold-plated brass is handcrafted by artisans in Kenya's traditional techniques.

90% of the brass they use is acquired from local markets and vendors, giving old materials new life in all of their creations. Their silver is created from recycled brass that is chrome-plated for a silver-colored finish. 

All of the beads they use come from Kazuri, a renowned Fair Trade women’s collective in Kenya. These beads are made from clay dug by hand from the rich earth of Mount Kenya, then carefully crafted one piece at a time. Your purchase directly supports their work.

The cow horn and bone products are crafted from the horn of Ankole Longhorn cattle, a breed native to the Rift Valley of East Africa. The artisans ethically procure this reclaimed material, which is a byproduct of the food industry.

And the wood they use comes from South Sudan and is sustainably harvested. They are currently working towards their ISO 14001:2015 certification.

Soko's Corporate Responsibility

Soko is B. Corp Certified. They created a "virtual factory" which they explain like this:

"Through digital banking instead of a cash economy, plus accessibility to cell phones, because the entire economy is mobile-driven, we created a simple, commercially viable way to connect local artisans with the international market and industry. We’ve coined this system — a virtual factory."

Artisans working with Soko earn nearly 5X more than an average artisan workshop. Their Impact Report is impressive, showing how they connect with over 2300+ independent and distributed artisans and illustrates all the amazing work they are doing. So impressive.

9. Omi Woods

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Omi Woods is one of my favorite black-owned sustainable brands. They make contemporary heirlooms that celebrate connections to Africa and her diaspora. If you are looking to nab necklaces, pendants, bracelets, earrings, rings, wedding bands, anklets, stacks, and even ethical men's jewelry, they've got it all.

Founder Alexis McFarlane says her granny is the reason she began making jewelry:

"My Grandmother is the reason I started making jewelry and why Omi Woods is centered around heirloom heritage pieces. Her name means shalom in Hebrew and sälam in Ethiopian-Semitic languages. It translates to peace primarily, but also harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare, and tranquillity. I reflect on these things as I learn about the cultures and histories Omi Woods pieces are inspired by."

Omi Wood's Materials + Ethical Sourcing

The jewelry is individually and ethically handmade with fair-trade African gold and globally sourced conflict-free fine metals. Solid gold jewelry is made with fair-trade African gold. The gold is sourced from small-scale artisanal mines that support the well-being of miners and their communities by paying miners a fair wage and contributing to improved health care, education, safety, and living conditions on the continent.

About 20% of the world's gold is used to fund conflicts around the globe. Omi Wood's gold and other fine metals are conflict-free and sourced from casting houses that are committed to ethical manufacturing and reducing their carbon footprint.

Omi Wood's Corporate Responsibility

Omi Woods donates a portion of sales to a local or global non-profit, social organization, charity, or cause each year, like AllOneBlood and 8 Billion Trees.

10. Deux Mains

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Deux Mains (which means two hands in French) is a brand that offers sustainable and ethical fine jewelry that is all drop-dead gorgeous. They have quite a story. When the devastating earthquake hit the tiny nation of Haiti, founder Julie Colombino-Billingham traveled to the island to volunteer and help after the devastation.

One day, when helping at a food distribution camp, a woman said to her "I don't want a bottle of water. I need a job." This was her aha moment, so she quit her job and moved to Haiti permanently with one mission in mind: to "create sustainable jobs and beautiful products to share with the world."

Deux Mains' Materials + Ethical Sourcing

All the materials used are reclaimed or recycled from local sources. Earnings are made using a painted canvas that is bold and colorful. Some of their designs feature Haitian majok seeds. Also known as “Job’s Tears," these seeds grow naturally in Haiti and were commonly used by Mother Teresa to make rosaries. They are one of Haiti’s best organic resources.

Deux Mains built their own 100% solar-powered, women-owned factory that produces ethical and environmentally friendly sandals fashion accessories, and jewelry. This allows them to have full control over the wages and benefits the artisans receive as well as the quality of their products.

By providing great jobs to the talented craftspeople of Haiti, they ensure that workers have:
Dignified wages, Wellness benefits, Health insurance, Paid holidays, Paid Maternity and Paternity leave, Education Benefits, and a University Matching Program.

They sell really pretty ethical sandals too, made with up-cycled tired for the soles and responsibly sourced local leather, a by-product of the food industry.

Deux Mains' Corporate Responsibility

The fact that they own their own women-owned and operated factory is pretty darn cool. The leather tannery they work with has implemented technology that allows them to reduce water use by 30%, recycle 66% of all waste, and use more than 50% of solar-powered energy. PLUS, 100% of their packaging is made with recycled materials.

They invest in education and paid job training with their nonprofit partner, REBUILD globally as they work with young men and women, training them with the marketable skills they need to live a fruitful life.

Why consider buying Ethical And Sustainable Jewelry?

If you have read any of my fashion articles you know I focus on a number of factors that include:
Natural or organic fabrics & materials; Ethical sourcing; Corporate Responsibility.

Before you put a ring in it, let's dive into each one so you have a better understanding of the issues and what you can do about them.

First, ethically made jewelry can be defined as:

"Jewelry that has no negative impact on the people who make it, or the environment they're produced in. That can mean: Using materials you can trace back to the source, to ensure they've been produced in an ethical way, eg, fair-trade materials and conflict-free diamonds."

Obviously, this is easier said than done! Especially here.

1. What kinds of materials should you be on the lookout for?

Typically, when I talk about materials, I refer to textiles or fabric, like jute, organic cotton, hemp, modal, etc. In the case of jewelry, the best materials are reused, upcycled, or recycled metals like gold or silver.

Usually, we want to be able to trace the material back to the source, which we usually can't do with reclaimed or repurposed pieces. However, these are considered more sustainable because we are not mining anything new from the earth.

New materials are almost impossible to properly trace thanks to conflicting laws and regulations within each country where mining occurs. There is a complete lack of transparency because the raw materials come from one country, they are then shipped to another one to be cut then another to be made, and so on by the time that sparkling diamond lands on your finger, it's taken quite a trip.

There is also a TON of greenwashing in this space. A brand can claim to be sustainable because they use recycled gold, but its workers might be treated like crap. It's impossible for a brand to say with 100% certainty where and how its raw materials came from.

We can look for third-party certification and organizations that companies are aligned with like Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS),  Fair Trade, Responsible Jewellery Council, The Kimberley Process, Fairmined, and Institute for Responsible Mining Assurance (IRMA).

Thanks to some of these initiatives, ethically sourced traceable gold is available. You just have to know what you are looking for.

Mining takes a big toll on the environment. It contaminates soil, surface water, and groundwater with large amounts of toxic chemicals.

According to Earthworks, one wedding ring will generate about 20 million tons of waste, leaving the surrounding area polluted with lead and cadmium. Wildlife and endangered materials are also a concern and so are toxins and heavy metals.

2. How is the company sourcing its materials?

To say this is a complicated issue would be a gross understatement. Let's look at gold first. "Blood" or "conflict" gold is often mined through slave and forced labor in countries like Sudan, Congo, and the Central Africa Republic.

In South Africa, miners are known as "ghost miners" because they are forced to remain underground so long that their skin turns grey. This industry is driven by illicit gold brought to the market by criminal syndicates.

Diamonds might be a girl's best friend, but they certainly are not a BFF to anyone who is mining for them. Remember the film Blood Diamond? Hard to watch, but right on the money. The diamond industry has fueled civil conflicts in Sierra Leone, Angola, Ivory Coast, and the Congo, resulting in millions of people being displaced or killed.

Lab Grown diamonds are better, but they do come with some concerns. When choosing a diamond you want it to be "conflict-free" and that's really hard for most jewelers to prove. It's why certification matters. Look for these certifications: SCS Global, International Labour Organization (ILO), ISO 14001, B Corp.

To assist consumers with making more ethical choices Fairtrade International launched a certification for gold and silver and other precious metals back in 2013. These initiatives work toward helping to grow the market for smaller miners.

3. What's the company's Corporate Responsibility

What other initiatives are brands taking? Are they offsetting their carbon emissions? Are they shipping items plastic-free? Do they have other certifications in place that can help you make an informed decision? Are they fully transparent about where and how they source their materials?

A final word on Ethical And Sustainable Jewelry

The most sustainable jewelry are pieces that already exist in the world, so consider a thrift store when looking for fun, chic, handmade everyday choices to add to your conscious closet. For special occasions like weddings, engagements, and anniversaries we now have the option for lab-grown diamonds. They are more ethical sources but just want to point out that they can impact the livelihoods of many people who rely on traditional diamond mining as a source of income.

Please, no matter what you do, never ever buy jewelry made with animals. The illegal wildlife trade is booming and we need to stop it. We've seen the horrible circumstances of the ivory trade, it's not pretty. Turelt shells, reptile kins, and seashells have no place in ethical jewelry.

And don't forget about Etsy and The One Of a Kind Show, both have a ton of great eco-friendly jewelry brands to choose from. And right here on The Eco Hub, we have a curated brand directory for all your fashion and accessory needs.

If you found this post helpful, please help someone by sharing this article – sharing is caring 🙂 !

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