What Is Ethical jewellery?
Picking the right ethical jewellery has the power to transform the look and feel of your entire outfit. Dainty minimalist ring or cocktail ring? Simple studs or hoops? These are the decisions that we usually consider, but how often do we stop to wonder about how our jewellery was made? – Where did the materials come from? Whose hands has it touched? What environment was it made in? Whose lives has it affected? How long was it made to last?
The movement towards investing more in ethical fashion is gaining momentum, whether that’s consumers being more conscious of what they buy, or designers changing the way they create clothes – or jewellery.
What is ethical jewellery?
In a nutshell, ethical jewellery that has no negative impact on the people who make it, or the environment they’re produced in. That can mean:
- Using materials you can trace back to the source, to ensure they’ve been produced ethically, eg, fair-trade materials and conflict-free diamonds
- Using recycled materials such as gemstones
- Not using child labour and ensuring fair wages and working hours
- Not using practices that pollute or impact the environment in a negative way
- Also, is it built to last? We believe that for jewellery to be ethical it must also be sustainable, so it can last a lifetime, or one day is repurposed into something entirely new!
Ultimately, whether chosen from an internationally known jeweller, vintage retailer or an artisanal creator, one thing is certain: our choices in jewellery are usually emotionally driven and buying pieces that are as clean and clear as your conscious surely makes them all the more beautiful.
Why should I consider sustainable jewellery when buying a piece of Jewellery?
For centuries, jewellery has been made from gold and silver. These metals are easily recognised for their rich, lustrous colours and natural beauty, and we enjoy wearing them close to our skin. But the process of extracting these metals from the Earth can be extremely harmful to our environment – and the people involved in it. The precious nature of these precious metals makes it tempting to exploit people or the environment for more profits – but you want something that was ethically sourced. Luckily, you have an ethical alternative. Handmade ethical jewellery is an up and coming trend in the industry that is continuing to grow in popularity as people become more conscious about their purchases.
Choosing A Recycled Piece Of Jewellery
What is Recycled Silver Jewellery?
Recycled sterling silver is silver that has been previously used. This could be in recycled silver or even technology such as cameras or phones. The silver is then repurposed, usually melted back down, and recast to create new products!
Despite its environmental benefits, only 18% of the world’s silver is recycled! Traditionally silver was mined, and this process is still used to acquire new metals from the Earth. However, this process releases lots of carbon dioxide (CO2) and can be damaging to the planet. By utilising recycled silver, these CO2 emissions can be dramatically reduced.
At Amulette Our jewellery is made from 100% recycled silver and cast here in London.
- The Benefits of using recycled silver jewellery
There are many environmental benefits of recycled silver as well as advantages to using it in jewellery. - Durable – recycled sterling silver maintains its durability, making it a brilliant metal for your everyday jewellery, such as bracelets.
Reduce CO2 Emissions – without having to mine for new silver, CO2 emissions can be reduced a lot.
Protect Physical Environment – silver mining impacts the earth where it is sourced. This can lead to erosion, as well as the destruction of natural habitats that wildlife relies on. Recycling silver means this does not need to happen.
Reduce Waste – recycling silver from not only jewellery but electronics as well can help to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill.
High Quality – even though reused, recycled silver retains its high quality. Giving that classic illustrious sparkle that characterises the metal.
Is Recycled Gold Real Gold?
Yes, recycled gold is real gold! Recycled gold has the same chemical composition and physical properties as newly mined gold. The only difference is the source of the gold. Recycled gold comes from previously used jewellery or industrial scraps whereas newly-mined gold is sourced from the ground.
While many jewelers elect to use a mix of newly-mixed and recycled gold jewellery in their pieces, a growing number of modern brands are seeking to only use recycled gold in their jewelry due to the sustainability and ethical sourcing implications! Recycled gold is real gold and just as high quality as newly-mined gold, and can be utilized in any application where gold is traditionally used.
Amulette Recycled Gold Jewellery
If you’re a consumer who cares about the environment, look no further. Sustainability is a core value of our studio. Our solid gold jewellery is made of 100% recycled gold, reducing unnecessary mining that can be unsafe and damaging to the environment. Because of this, your purchase not only supports fair labor practices but also helps conserve natural resources worldwide!
The process of recycling gold in the jewelry industry is not new – in fact, it’s a practice that’s believed to date back thousands of years, with evidence of gold being melted down and repurposed in various cultures throughout history. However, modern brands with a sustainability focus, like Amulette, are now prioritising the use of 100% recycled gold in their jewellery pieces, as opposed to a mix of recycled and newly mined gold. This shift towards using only recycled gold is a reflection of the growing awareness and commitment to sustainability in the jewellery industry, driven by environmentally-conscious consumers, like you!