Christopher S. Nelson 
When buying a new piece of jewelry for yourself or for someone else, it’s important to think more than just looks and price. Many of the materials used to create jewelry and the practices used to obtain them can cause immense damage to the environment. Additionally, employees can be forced to work long hours under appalling conditions without fair pay.
While jewelry production can cause great harm to people and the planet, there are some amazing people who are trying to change that.
In order to help you make your next jewelry purchase a little more people and planet friendly, we’ve found these amazing ethical and sustainable jewelry brands for you to check out!
1. Washed ashore
The beautiful jewels of Washed Ashore are created with in mind “the defense of the ocean and the preservation of marine resources, community, education and the empowerment of people”. They use 100% recycled metals that are refined by a supplier that is part of the Responsible Jewelery Council; their stones are recycled from vintage jewelry; and their shellfish and abalone pearls by-products recycled from other industries. Washed Ashore’s ethical and sustainable business model goes beyond the materials they use. They also use reusable packaging, partner with CarbonFund, a carbon offset program, and ensure the people they employ receive fair wages and work in good conditions. The brand received the Butterfly Mark for Excellence in Sustainability in 2019.
2. Ten thousand villages
Ten Thousand Villages focuses on “putting people and the planet first”. Their transparent model of artisanal investment clearly shows the steps they take to ensure that artisans are treated well and paid a salary that artisans themselves agree to be fair. This allows artisans to acquire financial security and break out of the cycle of generational poverty. Ten Thousand Villages also takes care of the planet by using local, recycled and renewable materials as well as by promoting energy efficiency.
3. Catbird NYC
Catbird NYC is a Brooklyn-based, woman-owned business that focuses on treating everyone, from staff to down to earth, “with respect and dignity”. Their employees receive fair wages and benefits, and work in a clean, bright space that you can view online. Their diamonds are lab grown, conflict free or recycled to ensure they are ethically sourced. The few other stones they use come from suppliers who constantly review high environmental and human rights standards. They are also No Dirty Gold certified, as their suppliers use recycled and ethically sourced gold as well as their own alloys. Catbird NYC is very transparent in its practices and you can read more about it here!
4. SOKO
SOKO is a ‘women-led, people-centered’ company that helps Kenyan artisans connect to the global market so that they reach a wider consumer base and therefore, almost five times more than they actually do. would do in average workshops. Their “virtual factory” model helps artisans to become financially secure and independent. As a certified B-Corp, SOKO “meets[s] the highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. Their jewelry is also made from sustainable, reclaimed, recycled and sustainable materials!
5. Laura Élisabeth
Source: Laura Stuart / YouTube
Laura Elizabeth is an ethical, plant-inspired jewelry brand based in downtown Los Angeles. Focused on sustainability, the brand uses recycled metals and implements sustainable practices to deal with waste. They also create their pieces without any acids or chemicals. Thus, the employees work in a space without toxic fumes. They also receive a fair wage and work regular hours.
6. Aid through trade
As a founding member of the Federation of Fair Trade, Aid Through Trade’s mission is “to bring fair trade to the fashion world through the design of beautiful jewelry”. The brand employs around 200 women in Nepal and hopes to empower them “through ethical, fair and sustainable employment.” They ensure that their employees work in good conditions and receive both fair pay and good benefits. The company is also a member of Green America, which means it uses sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
7. Bario Neal
Bario Neal was created by designers who were overwhelmed by the negative impact the jewelry industry can often have on humans and the environment. Thus, the female-owned business ensures that its materials are both sustainably and ethically sourced. They use reclaimed and Fairmined metals as well as fully traceable stones throughout the supply chain. This ensures that the land and workers are treated well where they source their materials.
8. Zoe Chicco
One of Zoë Chicco’s core values is sustainability and ethical production. Her jewelry is handcrafted in a downtown LA studio by a team of artisans who receive competitive salaries with benefits. These beautiful, durable pieces use conflict-free diamonds, ethically sourced gemstones and recycled gold
9. J. Hannah
J.Hannah is always actively striving to build a more sustainable business. They do this through local production, minimizing waste and using recycled and ethical materials that have been certified as sustainable by several environmental organizations. J. Hannah also welcomes inquiries and embraces transparency in their ethics.
10. Common era
Common Era is a 100% female-owned company. They are inspired by ancient history and mythology, however, their values are very avant-garde. Common Era works with several organizations to ensure that their recycled and conflict-free materials are sustainable. Plus, they don’t use plastic in their packaging! A portion of their profits are donated to the Animal Welfare Institute, Slaughterhouse Survivors and, in 2020, Feeding America.
Here are some of the other sustainable and ethical brands we’ve found for you: Valley Rose, Made Trade, 31 Bits, ABLE, Nisolo, Mejuri, Starfish Project, Aurate, Accompany, Smiling Rock, Gjenmi, VRAI, AGMES, SVNR, AKOLA, Poppy Finch, Wolf Circus, Meadowlark, Bagatiba and Arlokea.
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