If you’ve been exploring the world of ethical jewellery and are seeking out a piece to add to your collection, you’ll want to make sure you shop wisely and are able to make informed purchases. We’ve rounded up some of our favourite tips for shopping for your jewellery box in an ethical way so that you can confidently get started.
Do your research
A good first step is always to do some research; investigate the different types of ethics, values and materials that come into play, as well as the different options you have in terms of where to buy. Perhaps you even found yourself here as a result of starting to research your options - good choice!
There’s no point in finding a piece you like only to find out that it isn’t actually ethical, so seek out some different brands and websites to browse and take a look at their approaches so that you can start to get an idea of what is available.
This can help you to get clear on what it is you are looking for and what is most important to you. There are different terms used in the industry; not just ethical jewellery, but also sustainable jewellery, fairtrade jewellery, eco friendly jewellery and many more. While there are usually overlaps between them, the terms are not always synonymous, and you may be looking for one in particular or a combination of a few depending on your own values and preferences.
How do you know if a jewellery piece is ethical?
The fashion industry is largely unregulated when it comes to ethical and sustainability related claims, which muddies the waters for shoppers who want to do the right thing. It’s best to start with the brand or jeweller you’re looking to purchase from and research their values and practices to ensure they align with you own, before looking more closely at the products.
Select a jeweller
The place you buy your jewellery will be one of the most important factors in ensuring your new purchase is ethical; this is because ethics should go all the way through the supply chain. Remember that ethical jewellery doesn’t start and end with materials; it also involves the working conditions for the brand's own staff and the business practices that they use. We’d recommend specifically seeking out ethical jewellery brands, or alternatively looking at second hand, antique or remodelled jewellery.
Ethical jewellery brands
There are now more ethical jewellery brands than there were even several years ago. Many will craft pieces in small batches, or make them to order, to reduce waste. They should be transparent about their supply chain and operate in a way that is respectful of the environment and the people involved along the way. They may also recycle scrap materials, substitute harsh chemicals with plant-friendly options where it is possible to do so, and use recycled or biodegradable packaging.
While browsing ethical jewellery brands, just take a look through the ‘About Us’ section of the website or anywhere else they talk about their values, and consider if they match with yours.
Call us biased, but we think that Wild Fawn is a great place to start if this is the type of brand you're looking for!
Second hand, vintage or antique
Another option if you are looking to buy ethically is to try preloved jewellery pieces. This could be simply by buying secondhand, or by hunting in vintage or antique stores for special pieces to take home and make part of your collection. Not only is preloved jewellery a sustainable choice, it also allows you to find unique pieces with a certain charm about them.
Look for transparency and certifications
When you’re looking at a jewellery brand, take note of how transparent they are being and to what degree they can back up their claims. If you see that the origin of a given stone or metal is clearly listed, you’re going in the right direction! Some may also have certifications from recognised organisations designed to set standards for ethical and responsible practices in the industry.
Check for ethical and sustainable materials
As you’re looking at brands and pieces you love, consider the materials they are made from. If the brand is operating in a transparent way, this information should be clearly available to you. Look out for the use of recycled metals and responsibly sourced, conflict-free precious metals and gemstones.
In particular, look for openness in the sourcing of the materials. For example, if the brand is using a sapphire, describing where this sapphire was sourced indicates that it is traceable and transparent. This level of knowledge in the origins of gemstones is an important factor in ethical jewellery - that’s why you’ll see us mentioning where each stone in our pieces has come from.
When shopping for diamond pieces, opt for lab-grown diamonds, which are a far more eco friendly and ethical choice than mined diamonds. The diamond trade is notorious for causing damage to the earth and the people involved, whereas lab diamonds have a smaller carbon footprint and do not require the extreme working conditions that mined ones do.
Choose quality pieces
Choosing to add a good quality item to your jewellery box is more than just a momentary treat. A considered and well thought out purchase is more likely to be something you take good care of and take pleasure in wearing, and a good quality item is more likely to be one that will last, rather than needing to be replaced.
Part of ethical jewellery shopping is consuming mindfully, so buying for the long term is important. We love that the pieces we make for our customers are part of their day to day jewellery wardrobe for years and years to come, and in many cases, pieces that can become heirlooms of their own one day!
Consider recycling existing jewellery pieces
If you’ve never thought about it before, it’s worth thinking about existing jewellery that could be given a new life. This is an excellent way to add to your jewellery collection in a way that is ethical and sustainable but also meaningful.
This could be an older piece that you’d like modernised into your next everyday favourite, or an heirloom piece that you want to re-dream in a way that honours a special family member or situation. Repurposing or recycling these pieces allows you to preserve the sentimental value while creating something new and meaningful.
We have reworked many heirloom pieces as part of our bespoke jewellery service, and we can never get enough of transforming older jewellery into items our customers love to wear everyday.
Ask questions
If you're not sure about any of the elements above while shopping for ethical jewellery - just ask! Any good jewellery supplier who truly uses ethical practices will be happy to answer questions on their materials, sourcing and processes, because they are all things they will have carefully considered themselves.
If there’s anything you’d like to know about our ethical jewellery here at Wild Fawn, from the origins of stones to the set up of our London studio, always feel free to ask the question - just contact us and we can have a conversation.
Enjoy it!
In all of your research and searching, don’t forget to enjoy the process. Shopping for ethical jewellery is a great step in becoming a more conscious consumer, and the jewellery pieces you discover will likely be every bit as beautiful and meaningful as they are responsible. Thank you for caring about our planet and the people on it!
If you’re looking to buy your first piece of ethical jewellery, browse our range of earrings, necklaces and rings today. Wild Fawn jewellery is handmade by mindful women using responsibly sourced materials, so you can feel good about your purchase.
