This post is sponsored by The Pearl Source.
While we may not think of jewellery as disposable or fast fashion, the truth is that it’s not exempt from the conversation of sustainability. The process of sourcing materials and jewellery production can take a toll on both the environment and workers, which has sparked a demand for more responsible, eco-friendly jewellery practices.
In fact, studies show that sustainability is now a central factor in consumer purchasing decisions. Customers are focused on greater transparency and responsibility from brands, not just in terms of ecological damage, but in ensuring fair labour practices and social equity.
But what does sustainability actually mean when it comes to jewellery, and how can we choose more conscious pieces? We’ll take a look at what it means to be eco-friendly and responsible, and examine the impact of different kinds of jewellery.
Whether you’re considering buying pearls or a smartwatch, use these tips to examine the impact of your jewellery pieces.
Main Factors for Determining Overall Sustainability
We can assess the overall sustainability of jewellery from three main angles: environmental, economic, and social. This holistic view measures the direct ecological footprint of jewellery production, as well as the well-being of the communities involved and the economic viability of the practices used.
Here are some factors to consider when sourcing jewellery:
Where Did it Come From? The Materials’ Source
From gold to gemstones, the source of your jewellery’s materials is the first factor to consider. Traditionally, both precious metals and gems were mined, but these days it’s more common for fine jewellery to also feature lab-grown gems. However, whether your source materials were mined or grown in a lab, they come with their own footprint.
From an environmental perspective, mining for precious gems and metals can contribute to ecological degradation. Habitats are cleared for digging which can harm local ecosystems, and mines can cause water pollution, erosion, and soil contamination. To minimise the impact your jewellery has on the environment, consider buying secondhand pieces or recycled materials. Lab grown gemstones also reduce the environmental impact of mining.
From a social perspective, the sourcing of raw materials for jewellery is unfortunately often linked to exploitation. Over 100 million people work in unregulated, often illegal, “artisanal mining” worldwide, often in third world countries or economically depressed areas. To prevent funding these damaging operations, certifying bodies such as the Kimberly Process and Fairtrade help to identify material sourcing that does not exploit vulnerable workers worldwide.
Source: Marin Tulard via Unsplash
How Was it Made? The Manufacturing Process
Common jewellery manufacturing processes often involve significant resource consumption and waste production. However, innovations aimed at reducing the carbon footprint and boosting the efficiency of resource use – including water and material recycling – are becoming a part of the industry standard.
These include closed-loop water systems, materials recycling, and fair labour practices that help minimise the negative ecological and social impacts of production.
Some companies also incorporate energy-saving practices down to the last detail, including solar-powered equipment and LED lighting in production facilities. These sustainability-focused practices at every level of manufacturing make a big difference overall.
How Long Will it Last? Longevity and Durability
The key factor for determining the durability of a piece is its craftsmanship, design, and the materials used. A solid piece will be planned out with the future in mind, and always with the goal of lasting a long time. This reduces the need for frequent replacement, which in turn diminishes waste and the demand for new resources. Plus, it makes the jewellery worth investing in!
Features such as secure clasps and strong settings are also crucial in preventing damage and loss, so that pieces can remain intact for generations. And from a style standpoint, craftsmanship that focuses on classic, versatile designs avoids the pitfalls of fast fashion trends, meaning that pieces can be worn for a lifetime rather than just a single season.
What Happens Next? End-of-Life and Recyclability
When it comes time to say goodbye to a piece of jewellery, sustainability is still in play. For example, jewellery designed for disassembly allows for the separation and recycling of metals, gemstones, and other components, which can be reused in new pieces or returned to raw material forms. It’s important to note that in most cases, only high-quality materials qualify for recycling.
There are also buy-back or trade-in programs that encourage customers to return old or unwanted pieces for recycling, refurbishment, or resale. It’s the classic principles applied to jewellery: reduce, reuse, recycle!
How Sustainable are These Classic Pieces?
So, based on these parameters that help us determine how sustainable jewellery can be, how do your favourite pieces stack up? Here are some popular examples of just how eco-friendly your jewellery really is.
1. Pearl Necklace
The overall sustainability of your pearl necklace hinges mainly on the sourcing and cultivation of the pearls. In the past, the overexploitation of rare wild pearls has been detrimental to marine environments. However, modern pearl farming relieves this ecological pressure, and can be calibrated to promote marine biodiversity and protect the ecosystem as a whole.
The way it works is that certain pearl-producing oysters are “seeded,” usually with a small bead, to kickstart the pearl production. This happens on oyster farms, and is a reliable, sustainable way to meet the jewellery industry’s demand. These cultured pearls prevent wild populations of oysters being decimated for the 1 in 10 000 chance that they may contain a natural pearl.
And the good news is that cultured pearls are actually more affordable than their wild-caught counterparts, making the eco-friendly choice better for your budget, too!
Material source: Cultured or wild-caught pearls
Manufacturing Impact: Low if sustainably farmed, high if wild-caught
Durability & Longevity: High with proper care
Recyclability: Biodegradable but not recyclable
Eco-Friendly Practices: Oysters have a natural filter effect on water: improves water quality, supports marine life
2. Gold Ring
The sustainability profile of a gold ring can vary depending on how the gold itself is sourced. Gold mining can have significant environmental and ethical implications, such as habitat destruction, soil erosion, and workers’ exploitation. While there are certain mining techniques that can help reduce the environmental impact, the truth is that recycled gold is by far the most sustainable choice. In fact, the most eco-friendly feature of gold is that it’s easily recycled and lasts a long time. So, look for a gold ring that’s made with recycled gold, or is vintage!
Material source: Recycled or mined gold
Manufacturing Impact: High unless recycled gold is used
Durability & Longevity: Very high, often recycled
Recyclability: Highly recyclable
Eco-Friendly Practices: Depends on mining practices or use of recycled materials
Source: Getty Images via Unsplash
3. Antique Brooch
Vintage or second-hand pieces are always a sustainable choice, as they bypass the need for extracting new materials. As long as an antique brooch is properly cared for, it can be worn indefinitely! Theoretically, this can slow down the demand for new pieces, making an antique brooch a very sustainable choice.
Material source: Vintage materials (no new extraction)
Manufacturing Impact: Minimal (reuse of existing; no new manufacturing)
Durability & Longevity: Very high, dependent on care and condition
Recyclability: Dependent on material and component separability
Eco-Friendly Practices: Preserves historical artefacts, no new resource use
4. Silver Charm Bracelet
Like gold, silver is a material that is mined from the earth. Mining for silver ore contributes to environmental degradation by polluting groundwater and soil. However, also like gold, it is highly durable and can be easily recycled. This means that the sustainability of a silver-charm bracelet is dependent on how the silver is sourced, and whether it’s made from recycled silver.
A good approach is to wear your silver charm bracelet for a long time – it’s certainly durable enough to last!
Material source: Mined or recycled silver
Manufacturing Impact: High unless recycled silver is used
Durability & Longevity: Moderate to high
Recyclability: Highly recyclable
Eco-Friendly Practices: Recycling reduces environmental impact
5. Smartwatch
Smartwatches are a chic and high-tech addition to your style, but they require specific materials that can pose significant environmental and ethical challenges. The mining of rare earth minerals – such as tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold – are often linked to conflict and exploitation in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Plus, the rapid pace of technological obsolescence in electronics complicates recycling efforts, since the industry’s frequent software and hardware updates render devices obsolete quickly. This all leads to a wasteful and unsustainable cycle, making a smartwatch a non-sustainable choice.
Material source: Rare earth minerals, electronic components
Manufacturing Impact: High, complex electronic production
Durability & Longevity: Low due to rapid tech obsolescence
Recyclability: Low, complicated by electronic waste
Eco-Friendly Practices: Rarely eco-friendly due to materials and waste
6. Luxury Watch
Like any piece of jewellery, the sustainability of a luxury watch will depend on where its raw materials are sourced from. But, in general, investing in a luxury watch can be considered fairly sustainable, due to the longevity of craftsmanship and strong vintage market.
High-quality materials and expert manufacturing processes ensure longevity, which reduces the need for frequent replacement. Moreover, the robust secondary market for luxury watches contributes to their lasting value and supports a form of recycling that extends the life cycle of each piece.
Material source: High-quality metals, gemstones
Manufacturing Impact: Moderate, dependent on detailed craftsmanship
Durability & Longevity: Very high, often heirloom quality
Recyclability: High, especially if high-quality materials used
Eco-Friendly Practices: Longevity reduces waste, repairable
7. Costume Jewellery Ring
Costume jewellery, also known as fashion jewellery, often utilises less-durable materials, and this leads to quicker turnover and higher waste. The sustainability of these items is often compromised by the use of non-recyclable plastics and metals, which contribute to increased environmental burden.
Material source: Non-recyclable plastics, metals
Manufacturing Impact: High, often mass-produced with low-cost materials
Durability & Longevity: Low, prone to quick turnover
Recyclability: Low, due to non-recyclable materials
Eco-Friendly Practices: Rarely eco-friendly, potential for improvement with bioplastics
Recommendations: Choosing and Verifying Sustainable Jewellery
As a consumer, making informed choices about sustainable jewellery can have a real impact! Here are some practical tips on how to select sustainable jewellery and verify brand claims regarding their sustainability practices.
Source: Karolina Grabowska via Unsplash
Tips for Selecting Sustainable Jewellery
- Research the Materials: Understand the source of the materials used in the jewellery. Look for pieces made from recycled metals like gold and silver, or sustainably sourced gems that reduce environmental impact. Go for lab-grown diamonds and gems made with renewable energy. These offer transparency in their production and less ecological damage than mined gems.
- Consider the Craftsmanship: High-quality craftsmanship offers a longer-lasting product and also supports ethical labour practices. Choose jewellery that is made to last, and cut down the need for frequent replacements and future waste.
- Opt for Certified Brands: Seek out certifications that work to improve transparency in the jewellery industry, such as the Fairtrade certification for gold or the Kimberley Process for diamonds. These certifications help ensure that workers aren’t being exploited, and that proceeds from diamond mining aren’t funding wars.
- Support Local Artisans: Buying from local artisans can help reduce the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods long distances. Additionally, this often supports smaller businesses and artisan communities, promoting economic sustainability within local economies.
- Look for Transparency and Sustainability Reports: Companies that are committed to sustainability will typically be transparent about their practices. Check if the company provides a sustainability report or detailed information about the sourcing, manufacturing, and ethical practices involved in their jewellery production.
How to Verify the Sustainability Claims of Jewellery Brands
- Check for Third-party Certifications: Reliable third-party certifications, such as those from the Responsible Jewellery Council or B Corporation, can serve as proof of a company’s commitment to sustainability. These certifications involve rigorous assessments that are more reliable than self-reported claims.
- Evaluate the Brand’s Reputation: Research the brand’s reputation through consumer reviews, news articles, and forums. A brand that consistently practises sustainability will likely have positive feedback and recognition in the field.
- Request Detailed Information: A transparent company will be willing to provide detailed information about where they source their materials, how they manufacture their pieces, and the steps they take to ensure ethical labour practices.
- Follow Up on Sustainability Initiatives: If a company claims to support sustainability initiatives, look for evidence of these efforts, such as partnerships with environmental organisations, investments in sustainable technologies, or community outreach programs.
- Monitor Ongoing Efforts: Brands that are truly committed to sustainability will continue to update and improve their practices over time. Stay informed about the brand’s current and future sustainability initiatives.
Final Thoughts
As conscious consumers, every purchase matters. And when it comes to jewellery, there are many factors that affect sustainability. From the company making your new favourite accessory, to the region that the materials were sourced from, sustainability is a nuanced and ever-changing goal.
So, next time you’re eyeing a new piece of jewellery, consider these tips for jewellery sustainability—our earth will thank you!
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