In today’s day and age, sustainability is at the forefront more than it ever has been before. As a result, many of us are adapting the way we shop to be more friendly to the environment. Firstly, sustainable clothes shopping made its way to the forefront, but now we’re looking to extend our sustainability even further. Therefore, the next logical step is yo assess our jewelry and see how this impacts the environment. While ethical jewelry may be a little more expensive, it’s worth it in the long run. This is because, not only will it be better for the environment, but it will also last longer and won’t leave your skin with a green tinge.
Keep it Real
Firstly, one of the easiest ways to ensure your jewelry is sustainably made is to only purchase real materials. From men’s designer silver bracelets to women’s authentic solid gold earrings, these are the types of items you should be searching for. Yes, this is a much more expensive way to shop, but you should always be on the hunt for solid metal jewelry pieces, rather than gold-plated or gold-filled products. Since these items last longer, you won’t be filling up landfill with lots of plastic-based pieces. Similarly, if you do grow tired of a certain jewelry item, real metal items can be melted down to create new pieces in the future.
Reuse and Recycle
As previously mentioned, precious metals can be melted down to be reused and recycled. Meanwhile, precious gemstones can’t be melted down to be recycled, but they can be reused within new jewelry pieces. There are many jewelry artisans out there that can reclaim or reuse materials in the crafting of their pieces, and by shopping with them, you’re doing your bit for the environment.
What’s more, you don’t just have to buy jewelry that’s been remade – you can reuse or recycle something from your existing collection. Just think of what you could do with great grandma’s brooch that has sat in your jewelry box since you got it.
Research the Designer
Most big companies that mass produce jewelry won’t follow ethical practices, as they’ll want to produce the pieces as quickly and cheaply as possible. Therefore, you might decide to buy from smaller designers with a story. This way, you’ll be able to get to know the designer and their practices, deciding whether you’re on board with how they do things or not. On top of this, the right designer will provide your jewelry with more depth, allowing you to form a better connection with it and transforming the way you wear it.
Purchase an Heirloom
If a piece of jewelry has already been around for years, it’ll be around for many more years to come. Vintage clothing is more fashionable than it ever has been before, and jewelry is no exception. When shopping vintage, you’ll be able to find pieces that have already stood the test of time, so you know the materials are of a durable quality, making them sustainable and worth the extra investment. After all, buying a piece that will last forever is more sustainable and even more affordable than buying various little pieces over the years.
Research Ethical Jewelry Practices
In addition to researching the designers, you’ll also need to know a little about the jewelry making industry as a whole. This will allow you to learn more about the human and environmental impact of jewelry making, meaning you’ll know which areas need to change. From the sourcing of materials to the production processes, everything needs to be assessed.
