Jewellery is a fantastic way to show off your own unique style and turn even the dullest outfit into something special. Unfortunately, not every piece of jewellery you come across will be as sustainable as you would ideally like.
If sustainability is a big part of your life, but you want to look good in a great piece of jewellery too, here are some tips to help you shop for sparkles in a more environmentally friendly way.
Do your research
Whether you’re looking for custom engagement rings for that big proposal or a simple gold chain to wear with your favourite pendant, if you want to ensure that you shop as sustainably as possible, it is a really good idea to do your research.
It’s not too hard to find out which brands are Fairtrade or organic or Rainforest Alliance Certified, for example, and by researching the issues you most care about, you can ensure that you buy a piece that not only looks good but which is very much in line with your own personal values too.
Go bespoke
If you want to be absolutely sure that your jewellery does not contain unethically mined gold or diamonds that were obtained in a less than optimum way for the planet, for example, then commissioning a jeweller to make you a bespoke piece is a good way to go about it.
Why? Because you can tell them all about your sustainable requirements and have them source the materials they will use in your piece from the most ethical suppliers out there. You can be involved in its creation every step of the way and this will give the peace even more meaning for you.
Consume more mindfully
Of course, overconsumption of goods is one of the biggest threats to the environment, which is why, if you’re serious about shopping for jewellery in a more sustainable way, thinking carefully about whether you really need a piece or if you already have something that will do is a good idea, as is swapping pieces with friends and when you fancy a change. You should also aim to buy the highest quality you can afford so that you don’t have to replace your jewellery nearly as often. Give the costume jewellery a miss and go for proper pieces instead.
Buy vintage
Buying vintage pieces of jewellery is also a really good way of shopping sustainably when it comes to jewellery. There are so many fantastic pieces of vintage jewellery around, often at amazing prices in comparison to new, and although they may not have been made ethically in the first place, buying them now is certainly an ethical option because it means fewer new pieces will need to be made to fill demand in the future.
Shop boutique brands
Small brands tend to be more transparent with their practices, which means it is usually easier to trace the ethics of any given piece of jewellery, and of course, it is a really good thing to support small businesses.
As you can see, jewellery shopping really doesn’t have to cost the earth.
So many great tips!
Danielle | thereluctantblogger.co.uk