What we know is that jewelry is a beautiful gift that makes us feel special. But what most of us don’t know is that a lot of this pretty jewelry doesn’t look good for the environment and people. The mining industry harms our planet because the sourcing, mining, processing, and transportation of raw materials requires a lot of water, creates wasteland, and pollutes the environment. In addition, miners often work in undignified conditions and are exploited. The good news is that there are jewelry brands that are turning away from these practices and treat our planet and its people the way they deserve to be treated: like a gem! See the brands below to find your new favorite ethical & sustainable jewelry piece.
CLED
Check Transparency
Ethics | Handcrafted by CLED, upcycled, Eco Gem™ quality, ethically sourced, recycled metals, Responsible Jewellery Council-certified, nickel-free, lead-free, cadmium-free
Product Range |earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, hair accessoires
Price Range |$50-$250
Based In: Los Angeles, USA
Delivery To: Worldwide
When trash becomes treasure: In the U.S., less than 35% of glass bottles are recycled; the rest end up in landfills. CLED took this as an opportunity to recycle glass bottles from Los Angeles restaurants and turn them into stunning, handcrafted jewelry, each with a unique look and blended with 100% post-consumer recycled metals like sterling silver, brass, gold vermeil and gold-filled.
WEBSITE: THECLED.COM
BRIGITTA STUDIO
Check Transparency
Ethics | Fairtrade, ethically-sourced and recycled materials, handmade
Product Range | Necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets, anklets, custom orders
Price Range | $90-$300
Based In: London, United Kingdom
Delivery To: Worldwide
London-based slow fashion brand Brigitta Studio creates contemporary, meaningful, and conceptual jewelry. Each piece tells a story inspired by ancient traditions and honors their culture and the environment. Brigitta uses recycled sterling silver whenever possible and blends it with 9k or 24k recycled gold. The materials are ethically sourced within the UK. All pieces at Brigitta Studio are handcrafted and are only finished after your order is placed – so allow 1-3 weeks for the piece to be shipped to you!
WEBSITE: BRIGITTA-STUDIO.COM
J.HANNAH
Ethics | Ethical and local manufacturing, 100% post-consumer recycled metals, recycled diamonds, traceable responsibly sourced gemstones, handcrafted, gives back
Product Range | Rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets
Price Range | $295-$5400
When vintage charm meets contemporary details: JH creates heirloom pieces that are meant to keep forever. Like a meaningful talisman that you have a personal connection with and that becomes a part of your story. Each piece is individually handcrafted by artisans in Los Angeles.
Based In: Los Angeles, USA
Delivery To: Worldwide
WEBSITE: JHANNAJEWELRY.COM
WASHED ASHORE
Check Transparency
Ethics | Fairtrade, upcycled, recycled, handmade, Responsible Jewellery Council certified, post-consumer recycled gems and diamonds
Product Range | Rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, body jewelry
Price Range | $64-$585
Based In: Los Angeles, USA
Delivery To: Worldwide
Founder Larada was born in Thailand and as a little girl, she would spend hours collecting shells and other treasures she found by the sea. Soon she discovered her love for pearls – and her passion to make ocean-inspired jewelry. Made in the heart of Los Angeles, Washed Ashore uses recycled gold and silver, post-consumer recycled stones and diamonds. Larada also wishes to raise awareness of ocean conservancy and marine life by upcycling abalone shells and using natural and rare saltwater pearls, making Washed Ashore jewelry one of a kind.
WEBSITE: WASHEDASHORE.CO
LENI ADAM
Check Transparency
Ethics | Fairtrade, Oekogold, handcrafted, responsibly-sourced gemstones, Responsible Jewellery Council certified
Product Range | Earrings, necklaces, rings, pendants
Price Range | $430-$1900
Based In: Switzerland
Delivery To: Worldwide
Did you know that the Swiss Alps are home to beautiful gemstones that have been shaped and formed over millions of years? Designer Leni Adam uses high-quality gemstones such as rock crystals, smoky quartz, or amethysts, which she carefully sources from the Swiss Alps, and combines them with recycled precious metals. All of her pieces are handcrafted in the small town of Olten. Traditional classics with a playful, modern twist.
WEBSITE: LENIDAM.CH
KINRADEN
Ethics | Fairtrade, FSC-certified, recycled materials, sustainably-mined
Product Range | Earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants
Price Range | $70-$2000
Based In: Copenhagen, Denmark
Delivery To: Europe
Inspired by the romantic, yet the melancholic universe of past American poet Emily Dickinson, the Scandinavian brand KINRADEN designs minimalistic, classic jewelry using recycled 18-carat gold and 925 sterling silver. KINRADEN is known for their responsibly sourced signature blackwood diamonds sourced from African blackwood, also called Mpingo. These beautiful black diamonds are kind to nature and people. Learn more about blackwood diamonds here.
WEBSITE: KINDRADEN.COM
MAREN JEWELLERY
Check Transparency
Ethics | Fairtrade, handmade, vegan, recycled, give back, plastic-free
Product Range | Rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pendants
Price Range | $500-$2200
Based In: Germany
Delivery To: EU-countries, Switzerland, and Norway
Maren Jewelry does not only reflect the beauty of our planet but is also in harmony with it. For her timelessly beautiful pieces, designer and founder Helge Maren combines mindful love, luxury, and nature by using recycled 18-karat gold, 925 silver, and lab-grown eco-diamonds only. And she doesn’t start making them until after your order is placed!
WEBSITE: MARENJEWELLERY.COM
TUOHI JEWELRY
Check Transparency
Ethics | Fairtrade, recycled silver
Product Range | Bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings
Price Range | $85-$300
Based In: Finland
Delivery To: Worldwide
TUOHI Jewelry stands out by its futuristic yet timeless shapes. Meant to last you forever, all pieces are made from 100% recycled silver from responsible sources, mainly in Scandinavia. The sustainable jewelry is carefully handcrafted by goldsmiths in Finland who work under safe and fair conditions.
WEBSITE: TUOHIJEWELRY.COM
JEM
Check Transparency
Ethics | Fairtrade, Fairmined™ Gold, traceable, lab-grown diamonds
Product Range |Rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, brooches
Price Range |$300-$10.000
Based In: Paris, France
Delivery To: Europe
Based out of Paris, JEM combines ethical awareness with French simplicity and truly outstanding architectural shapes. Each piece is ethically handcrafted from Fairmined™ Gold and lab-grown diamonds using traditional techniques in one of the most renowned jeweler’s workshops located in the heart of the Vosges Mountains in France. Thanks to a trackable serial number, every item can be traced back to its origins. Magnifique!
WEBSITE: JEM-PARIS.COM
LUNA & ROSE
Check Transparency
Ethics | Artisan-made, recycled Sterling Silver, gives back, 1% for the Planet member
Product Range | Saint pendants, necklaces, earrings, charms, chains, bracelets
Price Range | $89-$189
Based In: New Zealand & Bali
Delivery To: Worldwide
Luna & Rose produces beautiful jewellery in a completely closed loop production. Using Recycled Sterling Silver & 9kt Gold for their artisan crafted designs, they also have their Golden Giveback Project where customers can send in old Silver & Gold to be recycled for vouchers. Luna & Rose is designed in New Zealand and lovingly produced in Bali where the brand has a beautiful island store. The mission is to create a jewelry line that is produced in an ethical & sustainable way to leave as little footprint on the planet as possible.
WEBSITE: LALUNAROSE.COM
LAURA ESTRADA
Check Transparency
Ethics | Handcrafted by Laura Estrada, latinx-owned, recycled materials
Product Range | Earrings, necklace, rings, faux piercings, hair-, face-, and head pieces, ear to ear chains
Price Range | $78-$278
Based In: Los Angeles, USA
Delivery To: Worldwide
Combining traditional metal-smithing with modern design, artist Laura Estrada creates original sustainable jewelry from recycled brass and sterling silver in her Los Angeles studio. To create her extraordinary earrings, mystic rings, and beautiful necklaces, the artist melds organic shapes and textures inspired by nature. Each piece is uniquely handmade and develops a natural patina over time which gives your jewelry a special touch.
WEBSITE: LAURAESTRADAJEWELRY.COM
REBECCA MAPES
Ethics | Fairtrade, gives back, 1% for the Planet, unisex, Global Services-certified
Product Range | Rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, body jewelry
Price Range | $225-$1550
Based In: Los Angeles, USA
Delivery To: Worldwide
Rebecca Mapes (former Winden Jewelry) creates timeless and sustainable jewelry with a vintage look that is crafted mostly from recycled materials. From 100% natural unaltered gemstones to recycled 14k gold selected from responsible sources in the U.S., Rebecca chooses her materials and suppliers with equally conscious thought.
WEBSITE: REBECCAMAPES.COM
ODETTE
Ethics | Fairtrade, 100% SCS Global Services-certified, unisex
Product Range | Rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, chains,
Price Range | $98-$198
Based In: New York, USA
Delivery To: Worldwide
Odette designs their pieces in Brooklyn and casts and manufactures locally in New York City via small family-run businesses. Materials used include brass, bronze recycled sterling silver, and 14k gold. Odette is currently in the process of finding a new method to recycle brass. Among the inspiring women who wear Odette are Michelle Obama, Taylor Swift, and Paloma Elsesser.
WEBSITE: ODETTENY.COM
FOE & DEAR
Ethics |Fairtrade, handmade, recycled materials, conflict-free, gives back, 1% for the Planet, woman-led, inclusive, made-to-order
Product Range | Earrings, rings, necklaces, bracelets, necklaces
Price Range | $20-$295
Based In: Vancouver, Canada.
Delivery To: Canada, USA
The ethical and sustainable jewelry brand from Canada uses recycled metals, fair-trade gold, and conflict-free gemstones to create one-of-a-kind pieces. From simple to cute and romantic – you can find something for each taste in their dreamy collection. Inclusion and diversity are a great value at Foe & Dear. Their team is made up of a variety of backgrounds/ethnicities. You can also create your own personal Foe & Dear ring here. Handmade in Vancouver, Canada. P.S.: All pieces are made to order!
WEBSITE: FOEANDDEAR.COM
NORRFOLKS
Ethics | Fairtrade 100% recycled, lab-grown diamonds, handmade
Product Range | Earrings, rings, necklaces
Price Range | $115 – $950
Based In: Stockholm, Sweden
Delivery To: Worldwide
As Europe’s first fine sustainable jewelry brand using 100% recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds, Norrfolks is a real pioneer. The diamonds come from Europe’s largest lab-grown diamonds supplier, located in Antwerp, Belgium. The gold is reclaimed from post-consumer waste. We love their super simple pieces that go well with anything; a cocktail dress or jeans and t-shirt. Ethically handcrafted by Alfonso, a third-generation manufacturer in Spain.
WEBSITE: NORRFOLKS.COM
SOPHIE MONET
Ethics | Fairtrade, handmade, eco-friendly
Product Range | Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings
Price Range | $80-$450
Based In: Los Angeles, USA
Delivery To: Worldwide
Get that California look: Sophie Monet brings natural elements into different contexts by creating sustainable jewelry using ethically sourced wood, precious stones, and metals. She draws inspiration from the rich landscape of Venice, California. All of the wood is hand-shaped using unique and rare materials which give each piece its own identity.
WEBSITE: SOPHIEMONETJEWELRY.COM
PASCALE & JAMES
Ethics | Fairtrade gold and recycled sterling silver, conflict-free diamonds, lab grown diamonds
Product Range | Earrings, rings, pendants, bangles, cuffs, chokers
Price Range | $95-$15000
Based In: London, UK
Delivery To: Worldwide
Designer couple Antonia Pascale and Christopher James get inspired by nature and art when creating their distinctive-looking sustainable jewelry with a sculptural aesthetic. All pieces are sustainably handcrafted in London using only the finest recycled solid precious metals that are fairly obtained. Their eco-friendly antique ring boxes are really cool.
WEBSITE: PASCALEJAMES.COM
VANESSA LIANNE
Ethics | Handcrafted by Vanessa Lianne Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), handmade, 100% recycled metals, responsibly sourced gemstones
Product Range | Rings, necklaces, earrings, bracelets
Price Range | $98-$3400
Based In: New York, USA
Delivery To: Worldwide
Vanessa Lianne is a trained goldsmith who hand forges each of her jewelry pieces in her Brooklyn studio. We think her sustainable jewelry looks imperfectly perfect with the colorful gemstones. She only uses 100% recycled metals, all-natural stones from ethical sources, and diamonds sourced from vendors that align with the Kimberly process.
WEBSITE: VANESSALIANNE.COM
DOUZE
Ethics | Fairtrade, recycled metals, carefully sourced gemstones
Product Range | Earrings, piercings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants
Price Range | $75-$1400
Douze designs modern sustainable jewelry made from ethical, recycled 18-karat gold with carefully selected gemstones. All collections are made in workshops in France and named after the women who inspire designer Hermine. Get creative: Douze Paris also invites you to create your own ideal piece of jewelry – follow the steps here.
Based In: Paris, France
Delivery To: Europe
WEBSITE: DOUZE-PARIS.FR
TRANSPARENCY-APPROVED BRANDS — Brands marked with the ECO ALPHABET transparency-approved stamp are listed in our eco brand directory ECO ALPHABET (for clothing, accessories, jewelry, shoes, bags, home textiles). Listed brands must meet our ethical criteria and provide relevant transparent information, which we publish in the respective brand profile. In this way, we give eco brands the opportunity to transparently explain their good work and avoid greenwashing. Brands pay an annual fee for this service. SUBMIT YOUR BRAND.
