For all the happiness our jewellery brings us, one has to accept that unless their pieces are made and sourced according to ethical and sustainable practices, then likely someone is getting hurt for people to wear them.
Niccii Kugler, founder of Nash + Banks — a curated lifestyle platform and online store bringing together authentic, remarkable and sustainable brands — says the jewellery industry has a hidden cost.
“Beneath the shiny surface, unethical practices occur both within the supply chain and the production process. The mining of metals, precious stones and diamonds has a heavily documented history of exploitation, conflict, Indigenous people’s rights violations, child labour and environmental degradation.”
Kugler says shoppers need to keep their wits about them when buying jewellery to ensure they’re supporting brands who source and produce pieces in line with their own ethical values.
Read more about the dark side of the jewellery industry and what you need to look out for when buying your bling in our full chat with Kugler here, then return to discover our favourite ethical and sustainable jewellery brands below.
Sofia Maria
For her eponymous label, Sofia Maria creates sustainable, artisan fine jewellery inspired by organic lines, natural textures and imperfect forms. With an earth-inspired aesthetic and a minimal design, Maria’s pieces embrace the Japanese philosophy of ‘wabi-sabi’, which celebrates the imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.
She hand-crafts every item in her Manly studio on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and uses 100% recycled materials where she can. All materials are locally sourced and recycled within Australia.
Each piece is effortlessly elegant and made from 100% recycled metals whenever possible, with all materials being locally sourced and recycled right here in Australia.
S-Kin Studio
Designed for sensitive skin, S-Kin is an ethical maker of fine jewellery in Australia. Founder Chi designs her pieces after country Victoria and the natural Australian landscape, and hand-crafts all items at her Melbourne studio from responsibly sourced materials.
She uses gold from the US and Brazil (where it is more common), freshwater pearls from Western Australia, and avoids diamonds altogether, opting for synthetic cubic zircons instead.
Her pieces are gold-filled and made from sterling silver to both reduce waste and ensure sensitive ears are not irritated. Even better, S-Kin Studio gives 1% of all sales to non-profits that work against climate change and protect the planet.
Momoko Hatano
Sydney-based Japanese-born jeweller and designer, Momoko Hatano crafts fine pieces with a contemporary influence. She draws upon her experiences travelling for inspiration, plus looks to everyday objects and the simplistic nature of Japanese aesthetics in addition to the free-spirited nature of Australian culture.
She designs and makes every piece in her Sydney studio using Australian and recycled precious metals where ever possible, and sources all conflict- free diamonds from the Argyle mines in WA. Occasionally, she’ll use reclaimed diamonds that have been up-cycled from antique jewellery.
Pip Stent
Melbourne jeweller and designer Pip Stent handmakes every individual piece in her studio. Since she spends hours sifting through pearls and stones to find those worth treasuring, shoppers can rest assured they’re purchasing a truly one-of-a-kind piece that transcends the trends and will last a lifetime.
In addition, Stent sources diamonds ethically “because they sparkle better that way”, she says, and will happily accept commissions to bring your own visions for your jewellery to life.
“Working with responsibly sourced coloured gemstones, diamonds and precious metals, Pip uses her hands to translate your personal milestones and innate values into something more tangible. Want to give vintage or heirloom gemstones a new life? Pip is happy to merge your old treasures into your new ones,” her site reads.
Natalie Marie
Every piece to order in effort to reduce waste and ensure a sustainable approach. Marie handcrafts all jewellery to exercise control over the process, and works with a combination of recycled and new materials, depending on the requirements and supply.
She uses 100% recycled Australian sterling silver, 70% recycled Australian gold, and diamonds are GIA certified, sourced only with the explicit guarantee that they have been mined and cut in line with UN regulated guidelines regarding ethical and sustainable practise.
Holly Ryan
People and the planet are considered at every step in the journey to creating a Holly Ryan piece of jewellery. In their Sydney and Sunshine Coast studios, Holly Ryan jewellers hand-make timeless collections designed to be worn forever, using entirely recycled metals ethically sourced stones, either through Fairtrade in India or through local Australian suppliers.
The Holly Ryan team wants their wearers to curate to a small capsule of jewellery to be worn and loved forever, and so they’re happy to work with customers who have a vision to create their dream pieces. In addition, they’ll even repair or recycle Holly Ryan pieces, should customers wish to redesign or return their well-worn jewellery for something new.
Vale Laltra
Sydney creative Vale Laltra‘s debut collection ‘The System’ is an out-of-this-world capsule of space-themed pieces. Referencing the sun’s orbits, solar reflections and planets in her designs, Laltra works to create each individual piece from her Sydney studio, using only with locally source gold, silver and gemstones.
By hand, she crafts her rings with strength and longevity in mind “to ensure a deep relationship between the beholder and their jewellery”. The commitment to create pieces that stand the test of time is part and parcel with the conscious movement to sidestep throwaway culture.
Sarah & Sebastian
Australian label Sarah & Sebastian is committed to being a responsible brand that is conscious and transparent of their impact. From the Sydney studio, Sarah & Sebastian artisans hand-craft each demi-fine piece using traditional goldsmith techniques.
From brand conception, founders Sarah Gittoes and Robert Sebastian Grynkofki have set conscious goals for themselves and their label. They use recycled materials from certified metal merchants, ethically sourced stones and diamonds, and manufacture on a made-to-order basis to avoid waste.
Wooden jewellery boxes are used in place of plastic and cardbox, and can be used for storage of jewellery. Should you not need yours, you can freely return it to a Sarah & Sebastian store to be used again.
Finders & Makers
Ethical and fairtrade jewellery brand, Finders and Makers, source handmade accessories from artisans all over the world and supports makers, enterprises, and businesses engaged in the advancement of women.
The brand’s ‘Upcycle’ collection specifically supports women and children in developing communities, with pieces made in Ghitorni Village in Delhi, India, and features hand-crafted jewellery from leftover fabric materials.
Shaina, who finds the jewellery stocked on the platform, is an advocate for women’s financial independence and education and it is important for her to ensure her team of artisans are always given support to keep their children in school.
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