15 Ethical and Sustainable Jewelry Brands to Know Now
All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. However, we may earn affiliate revenue on this article and commission when you buy something.
When it comes to sustainable fashion, there’s a lot of talk about organic cotton or recycled polyester, but jewelry is often left out of the conversation. But that’s not to say there aren’t any options, far from it. Sustainability, however it’s classified, is top of mind for most brands designing baubles today; many of them are also redefining what it means to make more sustainable jewelry. It’s not just about using recycled metals or ethically sourcing gemstones for jewelry for these brands, their sustainability efforts go way beyond that. Practices can range from supporting local communities where the pieces are made to offering full transparency and tracing to committing to zero-waste programs to prevent excess materials from ending up in landfills. Plus, their designs are stylish and timeless. See how these 15 sustainable jewelry brands are working toward a smaller environmental footprint now, and their plans for the future too.
Sister duo Morgan and Jaclyn Solomon of New York–based AGMES combine their architectural designs with their dedication to sustainability and commitment to keeping a small environmental footprint, starting with hand-making everything locally. Their assortment of sculptural silhouettes is made out of recycled materials, ensuring no metals go to waste in the process.
If you want to know exactly where your jewelry was made and who made it, look no further than SVNR. Its colorful, handcrafted drop earrings are made from upcycled or natural materials. SVNR founder Christina Tung describes the brand as a “union of ethics and aesthetics” and makes each piece herself.
All of Akola’s affordable pieces are made in Africa using local techniques and sustainably sourced materials. The brand’s vision is to create female empowerment in the workplace and contribute to economic development in Africa. Its offers programs to its female-only employees that focus on leadership, financial literacy, and more.
You might recognize Alighieri’s textured and imperfectly perfect literature-inspired gold pieces from the pages of Vogue or your Instagram feed. Each piece is made from either recycled bronze or silver and then plated with gold and cast.
Zoë Chicco adheres to a strict standard when it comes to diamonds. All of the diamonds used are conflict-free, while the rest of the jewelry is made from 100% recycled 14-karat gold.
Its website breaks down the story behind its recycled gold, ethically and responsibly sourced gemstones, pearls, and conflict-free diamond suppliers. It sticks to affordable, honest pricing, thanks to its “no-frills” approach to business and keeping production costs low and local.
Many of Laura Lombardi’s selections of tempting hoops and chunky chains are made from raw and recycled materials.
Designed in Los Angeles, Grace Lee’s pieces are made to be stacked and layered together. Known best for its rings, the brand often uses recycled gold and sources only cruelty-free diamonds.
In a world of mass production, Katherine Kim finds herself wanting to commit to transparency. All of her pieces are handmade in Los Angeles, and use recycled gold when and wherever possible.
The founders behind Meadowlark note that jewelry is a circular product, so everything can be recycled into new pieces, from metal scraps to repurposing previously made jewelry, so that nothing ends up in a landfill. Plus, they make almost every piece to order, with responsibly sourced and fully traceable materials, rather than creating excess products. For Meadowlark, it’s all about progress and the long-term commitment to sustainability practices going forward.
Brooklyn-based jewelry brand Wwake has built sustainability into every aspect of their business. All Wwake jewelry is handmade in their Greenpoint studio, and made-to-order using recycled gold and silver, certified conflict-free diamonds, and fairtrade gemstones. Wwake also aims to provide opportunities and support for women and marginalized people.
Jenny and Lily Monbouquette, co-founders of their eponymous jewelry brand, have created a line that is not only fun and unique, but is also run as sustainably and ethically as possible. From recycled and carefully selected materials to reusable packaging and everywhere in between, a piece of Monbouquette jewelry is an heirloom in the making.
Pamela Love started her namesake jewelry brand out of her Brooklyn home in 2007, and since then, Love has expanded her collection and physical locations. She has never, however, lost sight of her values. In an effort to reduce environmental impact, all Pamela Love jewelry is made from recycled metals, ethically-sourced and conflict-free gems, and the brand aims to empower not only those who wear jewelry, but also those who make it.
Since the inception of Monica Rich Kosann, the brand has been invested in conducting itself responsibly and with the highest standards. It was through these careful efforts that the brand achieved Certified B Corporation status. Monica Rich Kosann looks at sustainability as a holistic process that ranges from materials, suppliers, and community values.
Daniella Samper crafts her fine jewelry with exclusively Fairmined gold and independently mined emeralds. When Samper began conceptualizing her eponymous jewelry brand, traceability and empathy towards the environment and human life were non-negotiable. The result is a beautiful jewelry brand that is emotional and tactile.
