Ethical jewelry brands to buy for your Valentine’s Day or anytime

Whether you are shopping for Valentine’s Day or any other occasion, jewelry is always a welcome gift. There is no shortage of brands, but you want to buy from a company that sells ethical Christmas baubles.

If you want jewelry under $ 200, the best way to shop ethically is to look for handcrafted pieces in small batches, rather than mass-produced items, said Mary Savoca, co-founder of Ash. & Rose, a Boston-based company. ethical and sustainable store, with a strong online presence.

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“When you choose to buy handmade jewelry, you are supporting the artisanal production and individual livelihoods of the manufacturers, while transferring your dollars from big, fast fashion brands to small businesses and their employees,” said Savoca.

She said fair trade and handmade in the USA are the best terms for helping you find ethical jewelry.

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“Fair trade is a term used for imported products and means that workers make a living with safe working conditions – unfortunately not the norm in the jewelry industry,” said Savoca. “Handcrafted in the USA means you buy jewelry from an individual maker or a small group of artisans who create your jewelry in small batches, or even one at a time.”

Savoca made it easy to find ethical jewelry on the Ash & Rose site. There is a “Buy by Impact” filter that allows you to search specifically for items in a variety of categories, including Fairtrade, Made in the USA, and Sustainable Production.

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If you’re looking for diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are an ethical alternative, said Kimberly Abruzzo, a Gemological Institute of America graduate gemologist. “[They] share the same look and chemical makeup as their counterparts mined from the earth and give you more karat weight for your money.

Abruzzo, a gemologist in the Rare Carat online diamond market, said lab-grown diamonds are grown under conditions that mimic natural formation. She said they should not be confused with diamond simulators, which are meant to deceive customers.

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“All jewelers who sell on RareCarat.com are carefully vetted and have conflict-free policies to ensure they don’t support conflict or endanger workers,” Abruzzo said.

Another option, Brilliant Earth, an online store for fine bridal jewelry and fine jewelry, offers Beyond Conflict Free Diamonds.^MT. In addition to adhering to the Kimberley Process – an international certification system that aims to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds – the company goes one step further in its sourcing by carefully selecting diamonds of ethical and safe origin. the environment.

One more choice for serious sparkle, online jeweler 12Fifteen offers lab-created diamonds that contain all the glitter, but no ethical issues. Create a personalized piece or purchase a variety of pre-designed rings, earrings and pendants.

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If you’re looking for great jewelry that benefits a good cause, ethical fashion line Shop Hope Global has a variety of girls’ earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and options. All products are handcrafted in Haiti and workers are paid a fair wage, said Angela Massey, administrative assistant at Give Hope Global.

“Our proceeds are donated to our nonprofit, Give Hope Global, which supports education and health initiatives among some of Haiti’s most vulnerable children,” Massey said.

Also a great cause, Penh Lenh offers jewelry handcrafted by women artisans in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Choose from a variety of beautiful earrings, bracelets and necklaces and enjoy knowing that 100% of net sales are reinvested in the company’s social mission efforts to provide fair employment, professional training and educational opportunities. and worthy.

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Finally, Los Angeles-based jewelry designer Laura Elizabeth creates beautiful, ethical and sustainable pieces that your Valentine will be proud to wear. Items are toxin free and durable enough to withstand sweating, swimming and showering, without tarnishing, breaking or fading.

Obviously, there is no shortage of ethical jewelry brands, so this is a great way to make special pieces even more meaningful.

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