Sustainable Jewellery: Why Eco-Friendly Choices Matter

In recent times, sustainability has taken the forefront across industries. Whether we talk about clothing, logistics, health and wellness, etc, the significance of sustainability cannot be understated. Moreover, consumers are increasingly becoming conscious about their choices and want to buy things that do not harm the environment. For instance, various studies show that a large chunk of modern-day consumers (70 to 80 percent) express a solemn willingness to pay more for products that are environmentally friendly.

Furthermore, Millennials and Gen Zs tend to prioritise sustainability, indicating that over 70 percent of people in these age groups prefer brands that are eco-conscious. Quite understandably, such choices and decisions transcend to jewellery, as well. Hence, sustainable jewellery has taken the centre stage for a lot of consumers and an equal number of jewellery brands.

In this blog, we will check out the A to Z of sustainable jewellery and understand why it is so significant in today’s day and age.

The Environmental Impact of Traditional Jewellery

As we all know, the production of traditional jewellery involves mining of precious metals and gemstones. This can have catastrophic environmental impact. For starters, mining can cause -

● Deforestation

● Soil erosion

● Water pollution

● Destruction of natural habitats and more

For instance, gold mining is notorious for its use of toxic chemicals like cyanide and mercury, which can contaminate water supplies and harm local ecosystems.

In addition, the carbon footprint associated with mining and the transportation of the mined materials is very substantial, thereby contributing to global climate change.

Similarly, when we talk about the extraction of diamonds, the situation is quite grim. To begin with, diamond mining is fraught with environmental repercussions. It leads to -

● Landscape disruption

● Massive water wastage and usage

● Large-scale energy consumption

● Aggravation of environmental degradation

Apart from being a threat to the environment, the diamond mining industry is also exploitative of workers. Labour exploitation extends to mining and quarrying of almost all types of stones and precious metals. For instance, a study by the International Labor Organization reveals that mining and quarrying are responsible for 4 percent of forced labour globally. And, the most harrowing part is that three are tens of thousands of children working in these gold and diamond mines.

So, long story short, traditional jewellery and jewellery-making is a rather grim industry that harms the environment and also exploits humans in a very direct and painful way. The best way to tackle these problems is by resorting to sustainable jewellery. What is it all about? Let’s find out!

What Is Sustainable Jewellery?

Simply put, sustainable jewellery are pieces that are produced keeping environmental and social responsibility in mind. They are ethically created by using transparent and responsible sourcing practices, such as -

1. Ethically Sourced Materials

This means that we source metals and gemstones for diamond stud earrings and other exquisite jewellery items from suppliers that use environmentally friendly practices. For instance, recycled metals can vehemently reduce the need for new mining. Likewise, conflict-free gemstones ensure that they are not financing violence or exploitation.

2. Mindful Artisanal Techniques

Second, certain ways of traditional jewellery making have a lower environmental impact as compared to mass production. These methods often leverage local craftsmanship and artisans, which help -

● Promote cultural heritage

● Facilitate sustainability efforts

● Preserve ancient methods of jewellery making

● Provide fair wages to artisans

3. Eco-Friendly Production

We can find certain sustainable jewellery brands that prioritise eco-friendly production methods. This can mean several things, such as -

● Using low-impact materials

● Reducing consumption

● Waste minimisation during manufacturing and more

4. Transparency and Certification

Fourthly, sustainable jewellers offer ample information about their sourcing and production processes. This helps a customer make informed decisions. For instance, certifications like Fair Trade or Responsible Jeweler Council (RJC) membership signify a commitment to ethical practices.

5. Using Sustainable Packaging

Usually, packing materials used in jewellery are made of plastic or paper, which may or may not be recycled. However, there are brands that use environmentally friendly materials with compostable or recyclable abilities. In fact, some brands also claim to offer zero-waste packaging. But, we should be mindful of greenwashing, which is all about marketing a product as sustainable, despite it not being so completely.

Wrapping It Up

Sustainable jewellery is the need of the hour. Every brand and every consumer must prioritise sustainable and eco-friendly jewellery. This is because the cost of traditional jewellery vis-a-vis environmental degradation and human exploitation is too much to bear. Sustainable jewellery also promotes a circular economy, wherein products are -

● Recycled

● Reused

● Repurposed

The circular economy is key to sustainability and eco-friendliness. So, whether you want to buy high-quality tennis bracelets or diamond stud earrings, it is essential to be mindful of your choices. Nowadays, a lot of brands offer sustainable jewellery with authentic certification, and you should ideally resort to these brands. This is a small yet impactful way to contribute to the environment and the greater good of humanity.