Sustainable Jewelry Brands

I love jewelry and am always wearing some key pieces (hey there wedding ring!), but I don’t buy a lot of jewelry because I like to wear and rewear all my pieces. In my years of sustainable living, however, I keep coming across sustainable jewelry brands (and not-so-sustainable) ones. Since sustainability can come in so many different forms, I want to provide a good introduction of what to look for in terms of source materials, supply chain, locale, and various aspects of a company’s environmental impact. Oh, and brands that make beautiful jewelry you and I actually want to wear!

Sustainable Jewelry Brands

I will start out here saying that there is a lot of overlap in talking about an eco friendly jewelry brand and an ethical jewelry brand. Those two terms are not the same and they are not mutually exclusive – it’s a gray crossover. I don’t feel knowledgable enough to go into depth about choosing ethical jewelry, so below I’ve included some important questions to consider on the topic to help you make decisions about ethical and sustainable jewelry brands.

What Does Sustainable Jewelry Mean

As I mentioned above, responsible jewelry can mean a variety of things. Brands really won’t hit all these check boxes, so it’s great just to know all they can do and then be able to identify what they are doing!

I think it’s also important to note that sustainable jewelry brands range from local and handmade to fine jewelry brands, so no matter your preference, you can find just the thing. It’s the prioritization of environmental impact, not the style or size of the company!

The first thing to note is the source materials. Are the materials ‘virgin,’ recycled, upcycled, or reclaimed? The last three terms refer to using materials that have been somehow remade from previously used materials. Great examples of this are recycled sterling silver, recycled precious metals, upcycled gems or metals.

Additionally gold and silver are valuable metals. They can be melted down and used again. Some metal mixes are literally just trash.

Second is sourcing. Jewelry goes beyond the designer and maker. Where are the beads from? The metals? Who worked to mine and/or create them? What is their work experience like? Are the metals pure?

Source materials are just the start (and this is really where sustainable jewelry intersects with ethically sourced jewelry). Who owns the mines? Were children involved in any part of the process of creation? This is also where terms like conflict free diamonds enter the conversation – this has to deal with the work force mining the diamonds.

In response to the major issues with conflict free diamonds and the expensive process of mining diamonds overall, lab grown diamonds have emerged. Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds; they’re created in a laboratory. And while it has many perks, this is a resource-intensive process, so it isn’t necessarily sustainable while they are far more ethical.

There are organizations, like the Kimberley Process, Responsible Jewelry Council, and Canada Mark, which work to avoid any conflict diamonds, so ask for certifications if buying new.

Often jewelry designers don’t know the answer to every single one of these questions – and this is where it gets hazy. So ask your questions as needed. Smaller companies also aren’t going to have access to this kind of information or ability to trace all the way back to the sources, but supporting small and local is obviously sustainable too.

Third is longevity. Jewelry that falls apart and doesn’t last is wasteful. Machine-made jewelry is not going to last as long because of the detail and accuracy needed with such small items.

Fourth is packaging. Is it recyclable or made of recycled materials? Great! Or is it plastic and not reusable? Not great.

Fifth is location. And this is multi-faceted because the designer isn’t usually the one mining metals, recycling metals, or sorting beads. It’s important to note where the brand is located and where the jewelry is made and sent from. Now, this might look like a local company but items are created and sent from a single location somewhere else in the world.

This might also look like a local designer who uses raw materials to make their own jewelry and then delivers or ships directly to customers and stores. It’s important to think about emissions with shipping and packaging with these companies. The fewer stops or the shorter distances mean a smaller carbon footprint.

When it comes to sustainability in the jewelry industry, there is a lot to consider, but there are also these multiple ways for businesses to be considered eco-friendly.

What Is The Importance Of Sustainability In Jewelry Industry

Depending on the feature of sustainability, the reasons of import vary…

Limiting Virgin Material Extraction/Mining

We talk about many things on earth being finite. Gemstones and metals are among those. Earth is dug into and turned up to mine these items, so small items can have a huge impact. It’s great to reuse those things which already exist and repurposing them for a new demand and modern design.

Many mining techniques also pollute water and local agriculture and wildlife through their process of extracting the metal/gem and their ‘cleaning’ processes.

Supporting Small/Local Businesses

Most small and local businesses are more sustainable in their very nature. They usually have smaller workspaces, less travel of their products, and more involvement beginning to end of their sourcing and designs.

People

Responsibly sourced materials and laborers are a critically important consideration to everything in our world. Understanding the supply chain and material sourcing are central to ethical jewelry.

Less Waste

Companies making jewelry that last limit waste for the consumer. Companies should also consider their ‘waste.’ My beloved Cabine Monde jewelry makes beautiful designs but then also makes unique designs with smaller pieces of chains and/or beads that aren’t numerous enough to make one of her designs. And only then doesn’t she keep all those metal “scraps” to send in for recycling!!

What are the Best Sustainable Jewelry Brands?

Cabine Monde

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably know how obsessed I am with Cabine Monde. She’s a local designer here in Sacramento and she HAND MAKES the most beautiful jewelry. She embraces the the capsule jewelry collection and I’m here for it. Items are made with gold fill and sterling silver. She uses Herkimer Diamonds (from Upstate New York) rather than lab grown or conflict diamonds. She recycles all unused metals and reimagines how to use as much of her supplies as possible in one-off designs and new creations.

Her beaded bracelets are gorgeous. I have a few in various colors. The smoky quartz and labradorite are a favorite every time she has them. She just launched these gemstone arch earrings that are perfect for wearing with lots of layers or in summer – just the right amount of statement without getting in the way! And her large beaded necklaces are to die for. She hand knots the silk cord between each bead, allowing space for the facets of each unique gemstones to shine in all kinds of light. I have the labradorite (seen above) and am coveting the Ruby Zoisite. Use Cabine Discount Code LUCI10 for 10% off your first order.

Kozakh

Kozakh is your source for charm jewelry!! All their jewelry is made at least partially with recycled materials. Everything is stainless steel – one of the most recyclable materials in the world! Kozakh also offsets 100% of the emissions generated by their office, employees, and travel each month. They’re also made to order, so there’s no excess that can become waste. All their scrap metal is recycled.

Their most well known for their linkie necklaces where you can choose the chain and any charms. My piece pictured above is the spinel 3MM necklace with the baroque pearl charm. Best sellers include the beautiful 3 wishes necklace and their Mavis Hoop Earrings! Use my personalized Koazkh discount code LUCI20 for 20% off your first purchase.

Monica Vinader

Monica Vinader is a fine luxury jewelry designer. They use only recycled metals, conflict-free and lab grown diamonds, and responsible gemstones. They’re working toward complete supply chain traceability and becoming net zero in 2026.

Their bestselling pieces include the birthstone chain necklace – beautiful, understated, and elegant. The gorgeous Siren Muse Bold Ring is a bestseller and calling my name as is the Nura Reef Bangle with a open/close feature to fit your wrist exactly as you want. Use code HAPPY20 for 20% off orders over $200.

ABLE

You might recognize the ABLE name from my ABLE Brand Clothing review, but the brand is also known for their sustainable jewelry. They use recycled metals, gold fill, and gold plating. The jewelry is all handcrafted in Nashville, Tennessee and made in small batches and they recycle all excess metals.

They have a great assortment of dainty items. This beautiful citadel necklace offers the option to have your name stamper into it – so cute! The Nina Tube Bracelet is the perfect combination of classic elegance without being too dainty as to go unnoticed!

Mejuri

Mejuri uses recycled and new 14k gold, vermeil (gold outer layer with sterling core), and conflict-free sterling silver and diamonds. Overall the brand’s designs use 100% traceable gold and 70% recycled materials.They’re an elegant jewelry brand with beautiful pieces for many styles.

Three of their bestselling pieces (all totally on my wishlist) are the gold vermeil chunky earrings. This style of earring is practically weightless and easily dresses up any look. They’re PERFECT for travel. If you love a bold ring but want elegance, this Dôme Ring is it. Available in sterling silver and gold vermeil, it’s a classic statement piece. And, lastly, for that elegance that’s just right – the linked necklace is a classic that is perfect for everyone!

Melissa Joy Manning

Melissa Joy Manning was a pioneer sustainable jewelry brand, making heirloom quality pieces meant to last a lifetime and pass down generations. All items are handmade

The drop earrings are one of her signature designs and they’re beautiful with individual stones. And while she is known for creating the now very popular huggie earring, she has a number of other great silhouettes. This double bar cuff is a favorite of many! And, a personal favorite, this Uvarovite Druzy Scalene Ring is so beautiful!!