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Looking for the best ethical jewelry brands in 2023 to keep your aesthetics and ethics in line?
These 15 best sustainable jewelry brands below are redefining the world of Fairtrade jewelry with their eco-conscious sourcing and manufacturing practices.
Get ready for some ethical jewelry sparkle!
This post is about the best ethical jewelry brands on the market.
Whether you prefer dainty and chic pearls, stunning layering necklaces, or minimalistic bracelets that seem to go with everything, the top affordable sustainable jewelry brands are ready to adorn your daily looks with some much-needed ethical shine.
In addition to the luxurious look and eco-conscious manufacturing practices, these ethical companies manage to maintain an affordable price point. On top of that, they come bearing some striking sustainability certifications that will certainly put your mind at ease.
On that note, we rounded up the best eco-friendly jewelry brands that are seriously worth your love and support!
Who makes the most ethical jewelry?
When shopping for new ethical and sustainable jewelry, opt for styles that are made with recycled metals, ethically-sourced gemstones, and conflict-free diamonds. Some great examples are recycled gold, aluminum, steel, and reclaimed horns.
The most sustainable jewelry will always be the one we already own. While consumerism “forces” us to say yes to every new standout piece, what we need may already in our jewelry arsenal. On top of that, you already know that you haven’t tried each and every combination. So go on! Start mixing and matching!
Another great option is second-hand shopping. By choosing pre-loved jewelry, you not only prolong its life but also make sure that the resources and energy used for its creation didn’t go to waste,
What makes jewelry unethical?
Unlawful gemstone sourcing is one of the most prominent issues in the jewelry industry. Because most precious gemstones come from the poorest countries, monitoring their origins is notoriously hard. Miners work under inhumane conditions for a few pennies. Child labor is also present in pretty much every scenario. On top of that, harmful chemicals often get leaked into the water bodies, which pose harm to the entire ecosystem.
Cheap, mass-produced jewelry fade, break, and gets destroyed very quickly.
Plastic, in particular, pretty much always ends up in landfills. This waste releases harmful toxins into the air, soil, and water with time. Furthermore, the toxic chemicals found in jewelry can also harm the wearer. Think of high levels of chromium and nickel that are known to be carcinogens. These are only a few reasons why you should consider shopping from these unique sustainable jewelry brands.
This post is about sustainable and ethical jewelry brands.
The Best Ethical Jewelry Brands of 2023.
1. Laura Elizabeth
Imagine wearing a beautiful ethically-made cuff cast from bark harvested from an Austin oak tree, or delicate earrings made from real succulents that echo the serene beauty of the outdoors. So chic!
Laura Elizabeth Jewelry, an amazing sustainable jewelry brand, takes inspiration directly from nature’s own artistry.
In addition to its commitment to using 100% recycled metal, the brand also adopts a meticulous process involving a cutting-edge filtration system that ensures zero waste leakage into the earth.
No Cadmium, lead, and nickel – ever! Heck, even their packaging is made with recycled uncoated paper, sourced from EcoEnclose underscore.
Price Range: $165+
Discount Code: SKL15
Materials: Bark, twigs, petals, succulents, or even a starfish and 100% recycled metal
Location/Shipping: Ship worldwide within 24/48 hours from the USA
Best Ethical Jewelry Inspired By Nature:
2. Astor & Orion
Astor & Orion may be the most ethical jewelry brand on our list today – and, I daresay, the most gorgeous.
Think one-of-a-kind ethical hoops, sustainable drop earrings, stunning studs, and more!
They are the only sustainable jewelry brand with circular design and 3D sculpting to create unique and timeless pieces.
As for their workers, Astor & Orion has ensured proper living wages and work spaces for the factories they work with via 3rd party certified manufacturing.
Price: $28 – $168
Materials: 3D sculpting system, recycled metal such as sterling silver, 18k gold, and more
Location: USA, worldwide shipping
Best Sustainable Jewelry from Astor & Orion:
3. Soko
Soko is one of the most loved sustainable luxury jewelry brands that’s also a B-certified corporation!
Kenyan Artisans working with SOKO earn almost five times more than an average artisan. Furthermore, they try to build an inclusive and sustainable economy where every woman thrives.
Not only are their pieces gorgeous, ethical, and super unique, but they are all made from sustainable and recycled materials!
Price: $48+
Materials: Recycled Brass, Ceramic Beads By Kazuri, Gold Plated, Silver, Reclaimed Horn, And Bone, Wood
Location: Sold from the US
Gorgeous Ethical Jewelry by Soko:
4. Rays & Riches
Our team is head-over-heels in love with Rays & Riches, and for a good reason! Manuela Lucia’s commitment to transparency, ethics, and sustainability is unwavering.
First, all of the gemstones are super sustainable and ethically sourced (of course), including recycled and ethically sourced gold and silver.
Secondly, Manuela personally creates every single piece of sustainable jewelry by hand, with the utmost care and love.
I personally own the Peridot Circle & Chain Earrings and the open hammered ring. I can say with utmost certainty that these will be pieces I will cherish for a lifetime!
Price: $ – $$
Materials: Ethically sourced gold and silver, recycled gold and silver, ethically sourced gemstones
Location: Sold from Italy, ships worldwide
Sustainable Minimalist Jewelry from Rays & Riches:
5. Aurate
Aurate is a NY-based eco-friendly jewelry brand that offers absolutely gorgeous recycled, sustainably handmade pieces made by seventh-generation craftsmen.
Plus, all pieces are on are made-to-order to eliminate inventory hoarding.
Last but not least, the female-founded company gives back to the community by donating to the She Should Run and Build NYC.
Price: $25 +
Materials: 100% Recycled Gold, Conflict-Free Diamonds Certified By The Kimberly Process, Ethically Sourced Aaa-Grade Pearls
Location: USA, worldwide shipping
Gorgeous Ethical Jewelry by Aurate:
6. Mejuri
You may know Mejuri as one of the most prominent influencer-approved sustainable luxury jewelry brands on the market!
To honor their commitment to traceability and transparency, they solely work with suppliers who are certified by the Responsible Jewelery Council.
Furthermore, they are compliant with the Kimberley Process to ensure that their diamonds are indeed complicit-free.
Price: $100+
Materials: Scs Or Rjc Certified Recycled Gold, Newly Mined Gold-Certified Responsible Sources, Conflict-Free And Socially Responsible Diamonds
Location: USA, ships to most countries!
Gorgeous Ethical Jewelry by Mejuri:
7. Twyla Dill
Like most ethical jewelry brands, Twyla Dill started small and quickly turned into a beloved business with thousands of happy customers (myself included!).
Twyla offers one-of-a-kind jewelry handmade in small batches in Seattle from sustainably sourced materials.
The options are endless, from hand-crocheted lace earrings to whimsical Amethyst drop necklaces.
Price: $68+
Discount Code: SKL10 for 10% off
Materials: Sterling Silver, Lapis, Amethyst, Quartz, Labradorite, Cotton Lace
Location: USA, ships to USA
Best Sustainable Jewelry from Twyla Dill:
8. Made Trade
Made Trade is the e-home of dozens of fair trade jewelry brands that use recycled metals, recycled gold, upcycled plastics to create sustainable fine jewelry!
Additionally, each piece is crafted with hundred-year-old heritage techniques that make it absolutely unique. The BIPOC-owned company ensures that every order is 100% carbon neutral, and made in the US by a female business owner.
Price: $16 – $480
Materials: Handcrafted Jewelry Made By Fair Trade Artisans, Lab-Grown And Conflict-Free Diamonds, Ethically Sourced Gemstones
Location: USA
Minimalist Sustainable Jewelry Brands on Made Trade:
9. Fair Anita
Fair Anita is one of the best affordable sustainable jewelry brands with over 8,000 talented women artisan partners around the world.
Think Cambodia, Chile, Egypt, Mexico, and many more. The company joined forces with 19 artisan cooperatives that pay 2-4x minimum wage, health insurance, and educational scholarships.
Additionally, they are a B-corporation certified by Chicago Fairtrade as well as a member of the Fair Trade Federation.
Fair Anita uses up to 80% sustainable materials in designs, which are then shipped in upcycled packaging.
Price: $6+
Materials: Nickel-Free Recycled Metal, Upcycled Brass, Glass, Semi-Precious Gemstones
Location: USA, ships to USA
Best Ethical Jewelry from Fair Anita:
10. Rebel Nell
The sustainable and ethical jewelry brand, Rebel Nell, offers employment, equitable opportunity, and wraparound support to women artisans who create gorgeous, wearable art.
From sustainable fine jewelry for women, men, and kids to personalized engraved gifts, this company has all your sartorial needs covered.
Additionally, part of the proceeds goes to Detroit Pistons Foundation!
Price: $15+
Materials: Sterling Silver, Stainless Steel, Resin Materials Sourced From The Detroit Pistons &The Alley Project In Detroit, Michigan.
Location: USA, ships to USA
Unique Sustainable Jewelry from Rebel Nell:
11. Rising Sun Jewelry
Rising Sun Jewelry is a one-woman ethical jewelry shop that uses upcycled metals and stones for the majority of their amazingly unique and one-of-a-kind pieces!
As for the other metals in use, Sarah purchases them from a local certified ethical company. This sustainable jewelry company has everything we love about shopping small, local, and sustainable businesses!
From the owner: “All of my pieces are handcrafted by me, in small batches, with love and intention. I use recycled metal when I can for my jewelry and I love to upcycle vintage pieces and make them new. I make sure all of my products are ethically sourced, cruelty-free, sustainable, and especially gentle on our planet.”
Price: $18 – $300
Materials: upcycled metals and stones, ethically sourced gold and silver
Location: California, USA
12. Sara Patino
Timelessly modern and wrapped in eco-conscious manufacturing practices, Sara Patino’s Jewelry line is full of sustainable staples.
Their suppliers are certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council for their ethical sourcing. So rest assured that your new favorite jewels are artfully crafted with ethical pearls and white topaz.
Price: $95+
Materials: Recycled Metals, Fairmined Metals & Fairtrade Metals, Ethically-Sourced Pearls, White/Rose Topaz
Location: USA
13. Ten Thousand Villages
Ten Thousand Villages is named one of the best sustainable and ethical jewelry brands thanks to its extensive Fairtrade jewelry collection.
They create opportunities for artisans in developing countries to earn a livable income while preserving their traditional craft for over 75 years.
Therefore, you can opt for pieces handmade in Colombia, India, and Peru, knowing that you help a fellow creative woman thrive.
Price: $16+
Materials: Metal, Wood, Citrine, Brass
Location: USA
14. Wander Love Jewellery
The Canada-based brand Wander Love Jewellery creates gorgeous art with the intention dedicated to wild spirits and wandering souls.
Their handmade, celestial fair trade jewelry is customizable to meet your preferences, and each of them is drenched in symbolisms of transformation, growth, fertility, and more.
You can also check them out in our 46 amazing reasons to support small round up!
Price: $60+
Materials: Copper, Bronze, Brass, Amethyst, Citrine, Rose Quartz
Location: Canada, ships to USA
15. 31 Bits
31 Bits partnered with artisans in Uganda and Indonesia to create ethical jewelry and preserve twenty-five centuries of metalworking!
On top of fair wages and a safe working environment, the brand offers women counseling and health care as well as financial education, and mentorships. If you love clean, minimalistic jewelry crafted with love, this brand is for you.
Price: $40+
Materials: Gold Plating, Sterling Silver, Cascading Paper Beads
Location: USA
The best sustainable & ethical jewelry brands of 2023.
The top affordable sustainable jewelry brands above promise to deliver gorgeously crafted minimalist jewelry straight from the hands of skilled artisans.
From ethically-sourced pearls from certified suppliers and recycled metals to conflict-free diamonds, your next sustainable fine jewelry shopping spree will certainly be guilt-free.
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