1. Providing a higher quality product
Sustainable jewellery is generally high quality due to the time, energy, and skill needed to produce lesser-known or rare stones and gold. Purchasing from sustainable jewellers can ensure that your jewellery is ethically sourced and aesthetically pleasing.
2. Supporting a local community
Sustainable jewellery is produced in countries that provide their economy, jobs, and a solid cultural identity. Purchasing from sustainable jewellers allows you to support the country or region where the piece is produced. You will also see your purchase as an investment in that country’s economy.
3. Supporting the environment
Sustainable jewellery can be an effective way to support the environment. While buying from a sustainable jeweller provides funds to help the planet, you can make a difference by purchasing items that will look beautiful and enhance the planet’s health and beauty. Ethically sourced jewellery is better for the environment because it usually comes from a lesser-known gem or metal source, requiring less mining and thus reducing damage to the environment.
4. Helping to stop pollution
Pollution is caused by the dumping of raw materials in waste or sewage water which often leads to large-scale fish kills or other adverse effects on marine life. This process is called “Waste-to-Energy” (WTE). WTE is not only unhealthy for sea creatures but also pollutes the water. It can lead to a yearly loss of between 10 and 15 per cent of the fish population. Regarding jewellery, getting sustainable jewellery from a jeweller that sustainably sources its products can help reduce this amount and ensure that the environment remains clean and healthy.
5. Helping to stop forest destruction
Forests are disappearing at an alarming rate due to deforestation, affecting the environment and the economies of affected countries in many ways. Sustainable jewellery can help stop this destruction by supporting those regions where forests are protected.
6. Providing an ethical piece of jewellery
Ethical jewellery is those pieces created with the understanding that they will contribute positively to the surrounding community or planet. Jewellery produced sustainably offers this aspect of “giving back,” ensuring that the money spent on a piece of jewellery will contribute to an environmentally friendly cause rather than help to support a less sustainable industry.
Differences Between Ethically Sourced and Mined Jewelry and Gemstones.
1. Different Means of Production
Since ethically sourced jewellery is not associated with the same industry as mined jewellery, the production of both pieces differs in many ways. Ethical jewellery is generally made by hand and can be produced on a small scale, while mined or synthetic stones are created through mass manufacturing or by machines.
2. Different Conditions under which the Work is Produced.
While both are produced in a way that minimizes environmental impact, ethical jewellery tends to be more sustainable because it does not produce mass amounts of waste, such as toxic byproducts from mining. While mining provides many resources quickly, some metals and minerals can’t be recycled.
3. Different Materials Used
It is often difficult to find jewellery that is both sustainable and affordable. It is because many materials needed to create jewellery are rare and located in areas that only exist in a large enough quantity to meet demand. Manufacturers may choose between using less common stones and synthetics or the more common non-sustainable material. When it comes to ethical jewellery, you should always look for the stamp or label of an organization such as the Fair Trade Federation, which will guarantee that the product is both sustainable and fair trade.
When choosing jewellery, sustainability supports the environment and local community while providing a visually appealing, high-quality product. Purchasing sustainable jewellery is an effective way to help the planet and those around you.
Photo by Hiya Jewellery on Unsplash.
