Ethical jewellery options for the conscious consumer

From food to clothes, people are increasingly making ethical choices. The same is true of ethical jewellery amid growing awareness around unsustainable mining of precious metals and stones. These are extremely harmful to the environment as well as to people working in their extraction and manufacturing. So, how can you be more conscious when buying jewellery pieces? From recycled materials to fair mining, here are some suggestions.

Natural and Lab Grown Diamonds

People all over the world, including in India, are shifting to ethical and sustainable jewellery choices. Ethical sourcing is a major component when you want guilt-free and eco-conscious pieces. If you care about sustainability, it is important to make moral choices. One of them is choosing between natural and lab-grown diamonds. Rare Carat is the best place to buy diamonds online and guilt-free, whether natural or lab-grown.

Recycled Precious Metals

The great thing about precious metals is they can mostly be recycled. In fact, around 28 percent of gold is recycled. Of course, we can do better! But buying pieces made from recycled materials is a great start to sourcing more ethical jewellery for your collection. This method also makes a great gift idea for recipients who embrace an eco-friendly lifestyle. Gold isn’t the only precious metal that is recycled. Silver, platinum and palladium are also widely recycled for jewellery.

Conflict-Free Ethical Jewellery Choices

The mining and trade of some resources can be linked to armed conflict, human rights abuses, and violence in certain regions. These include cobalt, coltan and of course, diamonds. While investing in gold and other materials is good, it is estimated that up to 15 percent of diamonds are from conflict operations. 

Unfortunately, there is no real way to tell if a diamond is a conflict diamond. If it entered your country before 2000, there is a high chance it is. However, a KPCS verification is a good indicator that your jewellery is ethical.

Fairmined Gold and Silver

Like other resources such as coffee and chocolate, gold and silver miners in underprivileged countries are taken advantage of. When sourcing jewellery or raw materials for pieces, ensure they have come from an ethical farming operation. 

These operations protect the rights of the miners and farmers and ensure the environmental impact is kept to a minimum. You can look for a Fairmined logo on products and check the official website for a list of products.

Handmade Recycled Pieces 

Entrepreneurs across India are increasingly recycling unused industrial waste into traditional and modern jewellery. They create ornaments using cotton, wool, recycled metal, silk fabric, and threads. You can make ethical choices when buying jewellery and materials based on how the manufacturer treats the environment. 

Natural and lab grown diamonds can make for ethical jewellery choices when sourced from reputable sellers. Of course, any products and materials should come from conflict-free operations, and practices that protect the planet and the rights of the miners involved.

Also Read: Abira: Pune's all-women enterprise where slum dwellers handcraft ecofriendly products for global brands

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