WHAT IS SUSTAINABLE JEWELLERY AND WHY DO WE NEED IT ?
You may probably wonder whether sustainable jewellery is a real thing. Quite similar to slow fashion, sustainable jewellery has a lot to do with sourcing, environmental impact, safe working environments and fair wages. An addition to all of this is the aspect of mining. Yes, sustainable jewellery is a real thing. But there is not enough awareness about it.
An estimated one million children work in mining operations under unfair and unsafe conditions. There is much more to this. Issues such as these must be taken into account when we are trying to live more responsibly. In this article, we will take a look at problems in the jewellery industry and how we can make better choices.
Here are a couple of reasons why mainstream jewellery is unsustainable and unethical:
Similar to fast fashion, accessories are mostly treated like a one-time thing. The fashion industry demands for short-termed jewellery trends, creating a need for consumers to buy more and wear less. Quite frankly, I haven’t seen myself wear the same jewellery more than a few times and this is part of a much bigger problem.
We have a long complicated supply chain in the jewellery industry which makes it difficult to demand for transparency. Right from mining, sorting, cutting all the way till polishing and creating, the raw materials go through a long process before reaching the market. This complex process makes it very convenient for corruption along the chain.
Due to its complex supply chain, traceability is difficult. Many brands fail to speak about the working conditions and environmental and social impact that they create. We are unaware of the job-site dangers and other risks that the workers face. Would a wedding ring feel as valuable when you think about the modern day slavery that goes behind it?
To name a few, we have a damaged ecosystem, soil erosion, water contamination, and emitting hazardous air pollutants. Research shows that mining just one carat of diamonds causes 2534 litres of water usage and 8.9 litres of fuel consumption. Around 80% of active diamond mines around the world don’t report on their environmental impact.
SO WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT IT ?
Listed below are a few ideas to live more sustainably, jewellery-wise:
1. Borrow
For someone who does not accessorize often, I have started borrowing accessories for special occasions. This saves you money and helps avoid too much clutter in your home.
2. Buy vintage
Thrifting jewellery is a great choice to own one-of-a-kind, classic pieces for your looks.
3. Research
As sustainability-enthusiasts, research is a must. It helps us make more informed, conscious choices that make everyday life more sustainable. The Good Directory for instance, offers ratings for sustainable brands and can help you make more informed decisions.
4. Quality over quantity
Owning one ring from an eco-friendly brand is better than owning multiple pieces that are not as sustainable.
5. Choose sustainable jewellery
Consider looking for alternative sustainable brands for your jewellery. Satat creates lightweight jewellery on reclaimed teakwood through contemporary designs made by skilled craftsmen. Click here to read more about our sustainability ratings for the brand.
WHAT ARE THE SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVES ?
- Recycled gems and metals
There are more options. You can now find jewellery made up of metals that are recyclable Silver and gold can be easily melted to make new pieces. This is great from an environmental and financial point of view. Gemstones can also be recycled but may be a costlier and difficult option. How is recycled jewellery better? It does not require mining and is not associated with any environmental damages or water pollution. It also extends the lifespan of the materials considerably.
- Ethically sourced gems
Ask more questions and demand transparency about the sourcing practices for the brand involved. Ethically sourced practices would include fair workers rights and environmental impact. However, this would be a slightly expensive option.
- Lab-grown diamonds
A relatively new concept that is now gaining popularity, lab grown diamonds are produced artificially using heat and pressure without any environmental damages. However, there are speculations of the emissions in a laboratory being higher than a natural mining setup. There is not much transparency which makes it difficult for us to make conclusions. Many certified lab-grown diamond brands are utilising renewable energy.
- There are various other options you can try like re-styling old family heirlooms in modern ways. Some metals can be repurposed by melting them down and making them into newer designs. Some brands also have a ‘Buy-back’ option where jewellery can be upcycled to reduce waste.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN ETHICAL JEWELLERY ?
- Transparency
An essential part for sustainable shopping is knowing the country of origin. Every country has certain regulations for workers’ rights as well as mining. This makes tracing down the origin a critical step.
- Positive impact
What are the brand’s values and goals? How are they responsible with their sourcing and manufacturing? Ask questions to make more informed choices. If given a choice, I would choose a brand that pays their workers decent wages and provides fair working conditions. So, let’s look for better options to make such choices.
- Certifications
Fair Trade Certified Mark, Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), Fairmined Certification and SCS Certification: these are just a few of the sustainable jewellery certifications you can look for.
The Good Standard is an ethical guide by The Good Route that helps consumers like us discover sustainable brands and learn more about conscious living.
