We don’t tend to overthink when it comes to buying jewelry. Depending on our budget, we usually see something that we like and simply go ahead and buy it. Those shiny, beautiful pieces are not something that we spend too much time thinking about. However, with a growing awareness of our planet, it would be good for us to stop and think for a second about our choices. Social and environmental welfare are problems that are not going to disappear. There are many concerns involved when it comes to manufacturing. Overconsumption, supply chain considerations, and especially mining are having a significant effect on our planet, and not a good one. Maybe we can not do anything about that, but we still can make an impact by our choices and choose ethical jewelry instead.
What do sustainable and ethical mean?
Gemstones, gold, silver, and many other materials used for jewelry manufacturing are hard to obtain. It includes destructive mining and extraction processes both on the surface and underground. A lot of dynamite is used in the process of extraction, destroying everything in the vicinity. Therefore, companies that are involved in the jewelry business should minimize their environmental footprint. That can be done by using already existing materials as well as by recycling already used ones. When it comes to sustainability, we should know everything about the process of making every piece of jewelry. Manufacturers need to be transparent about their resources, ways of acquiring materials, and the manufacturing process. Sustainable and ethical jewelry has a positive impact on the environment by protecting it, piece by piece.
Why should you choose ethical jewelry?
Trends in the fashion industry are literally changing every moment. What you buy today can be outdated tomorrow. We all like beautiful and expensive jewelry, but have you ever thought about where those lovely, shiny pieces of jewelry are coming from? For every single carat of diamond, around 250 tones of earth need to be moved. That process is leaving crates that are visible from outer space. It’s devastating for nature and ecosystems and nobody can clean them quickly. Other precious metals like platinum or gold are also hard to obtain. Mining them includes air and water pollution, ecosystem loss, and high levels of greenhouse gas emissions. So, once you are familiar with all of these facts, it kind of spoils our image of perfect jewelry.
How do you start making better decisions?
You can make sure that you are well informed, and fortunately, people are starting to recognize how harmful the usual way of making jewelry is. As a result, the market for attractive ethical jewelry is expanding. Many new brands are trying to reach out to people by offering a wide range of sustainable materials and innovative designs. If you like modest and sophisticated jewelry, you can choose pieces made of recycled silver or platinum. On the other hand, if you enjoy more effective jewelry, there are a lot of options. You can buy bracelets, rings, and necklaces made of various materials, like ceramic, plastic from the ocean, and even used bomb parts. Designers are making sure that their jewelry is sustainable and ethical and that, at the same time, you can keep your style.
Ethical alternatives to usual materials
Nowadays, there are many alternatives to avoid the use of harmful materials. For example, many precious metals can be recycled and used again, such as silver and gold. Also, if you want a unique style, you can choose jewelry made from ceramic or different aluminum scraps. Designers are using aluminum often because it is one of the most versatile and eco-friendly materials. On the other hand, stainless steel is also becoming very popular because of its durability and refined look. In addition, many different and talented designers are making sure they give you a range of materials to choose from, including plane parts, bomb parts, and even military hardware. Beautiful pieces of jewelry also come from devastating plastic that is polluting the oceans.
You have many options if you keep yourself informed and know what is good for yourself and the environment. For example, you can buy second-hand jewelry, inquire manufacturers about how they obtain their materials and make sure that you are making the best decision
