When you buy from sustainable and ethical women-owned jewelry brands you’re choosing more than just a product. You’re supporting equality, good practices, and having a positive climate impact.
Ethical jewelry (and ethical consumption on the whole) has seen a rise in popularity in recent years. More consumers are willing to pay big bucks for socially and environmentally conscious products. A 2021 consumer research survey of more than 1,000 US adults found that 72 percent of millennial participants were more likely to stay loyal to brands that were transparent about their sustainable or ethical business practices. Nowadays, sustainability is more than just a buzzword—it’s a commodity in itself.
This is especially true in the jewelry market. Celebrities like Timothée Chalamet and Billie Eilish have shown their support for ethical jewelers; the recently engaged couples Travis Barker and Kourtney Kardashian, as well as Machine Gun Kelly and Megan Fox, opted for ethical diamond rings.
Further, diamond giant De Beers surveyed consumers and found that not only are they more interested than ever in supporting sustainable and ethical jewelry, but they’re willing to pay a premium for it, too.
Ethical Jewelry Brands
With all of this in mind, there’s never been a better time to shop ethical jewelry brands whose products, and values, are sure to give you that 24-carat feeling. Plus, they’re all women-owned businesses, so it’s a real win-win.
1. Mejuri
In the words of Founder, Noura Sakkijha, Mejuri is all about “women celebrating themselves”. All of its pieces are timeless, yet with a contemporary flair, and a price range that runs from affordable to luxury. One of Mejuri’s top priorities is traceability, which is why it prioritizes working with suppliers certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council. And as of 2021, 100 percent of its gold is completely traceable. A large portion of its gold materials is also recycled.
2. Soko
A certified B-Corp, Soko uses mobile technology to connect Kenyan artisan jewelers to the global marketplace. More than just a jeweler, it is working to reduce inequality and poverty across Africa by providing secure and high-quality jobs for local artists.
3. AMC Jewellery
Handmade by a single jeweler, this beautiful and ethical jewelry brand delivers the kind of quality you’d expect to find in a high street jeweler. The brand only uses eco-silver or upcycled materials. Be sure to get an order in quickly—her pieces tend to sell like hotcakes.
4. Catbird
Established in Brooklyn in 2004, Catbird is a veteran of the ethical jewelry game. Its team of 40 artisan jewelers all work on-site crafting accessories meant for everyday wear and more special occasions. Catbird is verified by The Good Trade as only using conflict-free stones, providing fair wages to staff, and including recycled materials in its collections.
5. Akola
Akola, meaning “she works”, provides life-changing jobs to a team of 50 female jewelers living in Uganda. While the average person in Uganda earns less than $1.90 a day, Akola ensures that 100 percent of its staff earn well above the living wage. Employees can also access training and wellness programmes areas including financial literacy and leadership.
6. Pepper You
Handcrafted in the UK by jeweler, Jade Golding, when you purchase a pair of her unique clay earrings you’ll also be supporting reforestation. Pepper You partners with Eden, an organization that employs local villagers in areas already devastated by climate change like Madagascar, Haiti, and Indonesia, to plant one tree for each earring order.
7. About November
Specializing in sleek and timeless jewelry, all of About November’s orders come in 100 percent recycled and recyclable packaging. The brand also has plans to offer a jewelry refurbishment service in the near future which would help extend the life cycle of its pieces.
8. The Little Market
“Founded by women to empower women”: The Little Market, which is based out of Santa Monica, California, employs artisan jewelers in Cambodia on a completely non-profit basis. This means all of the sales proceeds go back to the communities they support. The company is also a member of the Fair Trade Federation and the Alliance for Artisan Enterprise.
9. AuTerra
Built on the core principles of craftsmanship and sustainability, Cape Town-based ethical jewelry brand, AuTerra, makes all of its minimalist jewelry out of reclaimed precious metals. You can trust that the supply chain is transparent since all of the materials are created at AuTerra’s e-waste refinery also located in South Africa.
10. Omi Woods
Inspired by her grandmother and the African diaspora, founder Ashley McFarlane launched Omi Woods, a Toronto-based jewelry brand, as an homage to the continent. All of its gold is fair-trade and sourced from conflict-free zones, as certified by The Good Trade.