Where can I buy ethical jewellery?30 March 2012
Ethical jewellery and eco-friendly accessories are a great way to reduce your impact on the environment - and look fantastic at the same time.
Mining for gold, diamonds and other precious metals and stones can have a devastating impact on the environment. Their extraction and production are also often associated with terrible working conditions for local people whose livelihoods depend on our demand for jewellery.
Find out more from Ethical Consumer.
You can help by making sure the jewellery you wear is produced ethically. This could mean buying products which are:
- Made from recycled materials eg metal, glass or paper, or sustainable materials eg wood or natural fabrics.
- Produced by companies with strong environmental policies and fair working conditions.
Many UK jewellery designers now specialise in beautiful and unique eco-friendly, Fairtrade and recycled jewellery. Here are a few:
- Friends of the Earth Shop
Eco-jewellery, including Fairtrade accessories from around the world, using natural and recycled materials. - Amelia Parker
Recycled jewellery, from reclaimed claypipes from the Thames' foreshores. - Beaucoco
Contemporary designs, using recycled glass, brass and coconut shell. - Blackberry Winter
Eco-friendly jewellery, for him and her, from recycled wool and paper. - Cred Jewellery
Specialists in stunning Fair trade wedding & engagement rings, Fair trade gold & ethical diamonds.. - Hairy Growler Jewellery
100% recycled jewellery, from sterling silver, pre-1919 English coins, to the forks and spoons of the Victorian dining table. - Ingle & Rhode
Fairtrade retailers, offering bespoke ethical jewellery, including ethical wedding rings, from both certified Fairtrade & Fairmined gold, or recycled gold or platinum. - LiLi
Eco-friendly products, offering contemporary jewellery which is ultimate biodegradable when finished. - Rosie Weisencrantz
Vintage and antique beads, brooches and trinkets from the 1900s to the 1950s, woven onto fine linen thread. - Silverchilli
Fairtrade retailers, selling eco-friendly, 100% reclaimed silver, from small businesses in Mexico. Includes Fairtrade wedding rings.
