The term “sustainability” is tossed around a lot these days, but what does it really mean to be responsible in the jewelry industry? From sourcing recycled gold and conflict-free gemstones to incorporating renewable energy in production, it seems that more jewelry companies are striving towards greener future. But how do we distinguish greenwashing from the real deal – what does it truly mean to be sustainable, and which brands are doing it best?
Ethical and Sustainable Jewelry
It’s important to differentiate ‘sustainable’ from ‘ethical’ when discussing jewelry. Sustainable sourcing supports the environment, while ethical sourcing supports the workers who produce the items we buy – from resource procurement to manufacturing, fulfillment and transportation. Recycled gold, for example, is a sustainable material because it mitigates the harmful impacts of mining for new metals. And luckily, many of the same companies who use recycled metals are also raising the ethical bar by prioritizing fair wages and safe working conditions for both miners and factory employees.
Sustainable gold jewelry is often local, small-batch, and low-impact, emphasizing lasting quality and evergreen styles over fast fashion. The best brands ensure that there’s no negative impact on the people who make their products, while also using responsibly-sourced materials such as recycled metals to minimize environmental harm.
Concerns in Conventional Jewelry
The jewelry industry has an ethically questionable history, but things are looking up. Traditional fine jewelry production has long been associated with mining operations that have funded armed conflicts and allowed for unsafe working environments while simultaneously polluting the air, water and soil. But now more consumers are seeking products that align with their values, and companies are leaving old school methods behind in favor of a healthier future.
Ethical Diamonds & Gemstones
Lab-grown diamonds are a prime example of progression in the jewelry industry. Early seeds of change were sown in the 1940s when General Electric started experimenting with creating lab-grown diamonds as a more sustainable alternative to natural diamonds, which are found up to 150 miles beneath the Earth’s crust. GE successfully produced the first lab-grown diamonds using a proven method in 1954.
Fast forward to the 1980s and lab diamonds had become accessible to the public. Since then, production technology has advanced and consumer demand for ethical diamonds has soared. Today, lab-grown gemstones aren’t limited to just diamonds – you can also get rubies, emeralds, sapphires, alexandrites and more.
More Jewelry Milestones
Lab diamonds marked a significant shift in the industry, and things have continued to improve. In 2003, an international initiative called the Kimberly Process was established to regulate the diamond trade and eradicate conflict diamonds. A few years later in 2005, the RJC (Responsible Jewellery Council) was founded to make sustainability a central priority in the industry. Demand for ethical diamonds & gemstones along with recycled metals has surged over the years, and now even huge brands like Pandora are sourcing recycled gold.
Growing Demand for Recycled Gold
According to research conducted by the Harvard Business Review, consumers’ sustainability demands are on the rise. They predict that we’ll soon reach a tipping point: for many, sustainability will become not just a “nice to have,” but a requirement for purchase.
Under increased pressure from consumers, jewelry companies must embrace transparency and traceability within their supply chains if they want to compete. Brands who invest sufficiently in sustainable practices will seize a competitive edge over those who make shoddy green claims. Responsibly-sourced materials are increasingly becoming a must-have for today’s jewelry shoppers. So without further ado, here are our top 5 favorite brands for sustainable gold jewelry!
AUrate
AUrate is known for their elegant, delicate gold jewelry, including engagement pieces. This NYC brand sets the bar high, sourcing 100% recycled gold, conflict-free diamonds, precious gems certified by the Kimberly Process, and sustainably harvested pearls. They also recycle their excess materials to create new products. Good stuff.
Mejuri
Known for their versatile everyday pieces, Mejuri is a transparent brand that sources 100% traceable gold: 70% recycled, 30% from RJC-certified small mines. Their sterling silver and diamonds come from Kimberley Process suppliers. Mejuri uses 14k gold because it’s more durable than 18k. After all, a truly sustainable product is one that’ll last a lifetime.
Emily Chelsea
This Philly-based jeweler offers custom rings, one-of-a-kind pieces and even permanent jewelry. Emily Chelsea is super transparent with their metal sourcing, using only recycled or Fairmined gold.Fairmined, an initiative by the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), certifies gold from responsible artisanal and small-scale mining organizations through a rigorous third-party system. Certified companies pay a premium that directly benefits mining communities, improving working conditions, social development, and environmental protection.
Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth is a fine jewelry brand that’s certified by the RJC and ARM, using recycled metals, lab-grown diamonds, upcycled diamonds, and more. An impressive 93% of the precious metals they use are recycled or reclaimed. Brilliant Earth offers a variety of jewelry, including custom options for both women and men. They were one of the first brands to provide traceability of a diamond’s origin and ownership.
Etsy
Supporting small, local jewelers is another great way to shop responsibly. Etsy is perfect for unique, custom items and many shops use recycled gold. On top of that, shipping is carbon-neutral, meaning that Etsy offsets 100% of carbon emissions from shipping and packaging on each delivery. Every time a purchase is made on the site, Etsy purchases verified emissions reductions, which are mostly environmental projects aimed at protecting forests and sponsoring wild and solar farms.
What About Cheaper Brands?
Can we really have it all, green jewelry at a super low price point? For example – is En Route Jewelry sustainable? This popular brand has left many wondering if their products are too good to be true. Reviews for En Route are mixed, both in terms of quality and customer service. They do partner with One Tree Planted to plant 1,000 trees each year, and they have a “carbon-optimized shipping program” under which a portion of their orders are shipped directly from a fulfillment center that’s closer to their manufacturer in China. But there’s no evidence that they use recycled metals or other ethically-sourced materials.
However – one of the most affordable recycled-metal companies we found is GLDN. 90% of their metals are recycled, and the rest come from suppliers who’ve been audited and verified for following ethical practices – most of which are certified by the RJC. GLDN offers gold-filled pieces starting as low as $21!
Beyond Recycled Metals
As big fans of precious metals, we’re mostly interested in brands who use recycled gold. But there are plenty of great jewelry companies who use other recycled materials like brass, teak wood, reclaimed bone and more – all while supporting workers with living wages, flexible hours and more. SOKO and Raven + Lily are just a few examples. It’s great to see brands paving the way for more responsible, transparent sourcing. As consumer demand continues trending greener, we hope that more and more brands will step up to the plate until recycled metals become industry standard.
Doing Your Part: Refining Precious Metals
Everyone can play a role in shaping a better jewelry industry and preserving natural resources like precious metals. In addition to promoting the best sustainable gold jewelry brands, you can ensure that any unwanted gold jewelry you have won’t go to waste by recycling it with a refiner like Garfield. We work with jewelers and individual sellers to keep precious metal scrap out of landfills.
We’ve been in the refining business for over a century and have perfected the art of recovering maximum precious metal yields from each shipment we receive. When you refine your gold, silver, platinum and/or palladium, you’re contributing to a more sustainable supply chain of precious metals. Plus, have you seen the price of gold lately?!
Established in 1892, Garfield is North America’s premier precious metals refinery. If you have unwanted gold, silver, platinum or palladium that you’re looking to monetize, send us your scrap to reap the highest returns. Our process couldn’t be easier – download a free shipping label to get started today!