Choosing the right piece of jewelry has the power of elevating your entire outfit. You have so many choices, simple studs or statement hoops? Gold or silver? Those are the questions we typically ask ourselves when it comes to jewelry. But how much do we really know? Have you ever thought about what type of environment it was made in? Where the materials came from? Whose lives were affected by it? Probably not. Here is everything you need to know about your jewelry and how you can ethically elevate your outfits.
The typical mining of gold contains around three dozen dangerous chemicals, including lead, mercury, petroleum byproducts, and cyanide. These chemicals are usually not disposed of properly and end up leaving at least 180 million tons of toxic waste into rivers, lakes, and oceans each year. Gold mining also involves the stripping of surface soil, which causes soil erosion, and loss of biodiversity. This is the main cause of 76% of the United State’s lead emissions.
Here is what you can do to sustainably step up your jewelry game!
First and foremost, look for companies that are environmentally proactive. Anyone can say something is sustainable, but when you are shopping try to find out if recycled metals were used, or if they were made from local artisans instead of big production companies.
Make sure you are being socially responsible when shopping. Being socially responsible means that as a buyer you are aware of where you shop and accept the consequences of your buying decisions. As a consumer, you should be able to know if your jewelry was derived from a method that did or did not negatively impact the community or environment.
Here are a few of my favorite jewelry brands that are worth checking out!
- SOKO
-
SOKO is a women-led, certified B-Corp, tech-powered company that helps introduce artisans in Kenya to the global jewelry market. SOKO creates high-quality jewelry with materials such as brass, ceramic beads, silver, and wood to match all of your accessory needs. SOKO believes in using the power of business to positively impact our environment and create a more sustainable economy.
- Article 22
-
Article 22 has transformed recycled military materials such as plane pieces and old bombs from the Vietnam War into beautiful and unique heirlooms. Each piece that is sold, helps contribute to the Mines Advisory Group. This organization helps those whose lives are affected by the high amounts of unsafe land caused by landmines and unexploded artillery. This jewelry brand has really embodied the innovation and creativity lacking in the jewelry industry today.
- Mayamiko:
-
Looking for the perfect statement earring? Look no further, shop Mayamiko! Mayamiko uses a variety of cuts and materials from northern Malawi. The coolest thing about Mayamiko is that no two pieces are the same. Each piece is hand solar powered and is meant to embrace even the slightest differences and variations. The women of Mayamiko are dedicated to putting the community at the heart of their company, so in 2008 they created the Mayamiko Trust. This is a charity that is devoted to providing career opportunities to the most disadvantaged women in Malawi.
Every purchase counts! We have the power as consumers to choose where our spending dollars go. By shopping sustainably, there will be a higher demand for ethically made pieces which will drive out companies that cause harm to our community and environment!
