In this day and age, we’re much more in tune with where our material items come from and the impact of our purchasing choices. Whether that be making sure our clothes aren’t the product of child labour, or reducing the use of single-use plastic!
When it comes to jewellery, human and environmental exploitation is still happening all over the world, but don’t worry - there are ways that you can make sure your jewellery doesn’t contribute to this harsh reality.
We’re going to explain all you need to know about why you should buy ethically and how to make sure your jewellery is ethically sourced.
What is ethical jewellery?
In a nutshell, ethical jewellery is the sustainable production of jewellery that is based on the following ideas:
1. All workers are entitled to fair wages and good working conditions
So, by buying ethically sourced jewellery, you’ll know that the people who made the jewellery were working in safe surroundings, being paid fairly, and working normal hours. After all, isn’t that what we’re all entitled to? We think so!
2. All jewellery production will have a reduced impact on the environment
We all know that we need to do as much as we can to reduce our impact on the environment, and by purchasing ethical jewellery you’ll be supporting an environmentally friendly business.
3. The production of jewellery will have positive effects on the local community and economy
When you buy ethically sourced jewellery, you’re helping to provide jobs and increase the amount of money in a local economy - hooray!
What are the benefits?
As an ethical jewellery supplier, we know that there are a number of benefits to buying ethically sourced jewellery. Here are a few that we think are the most important:
1. High quality materials
Contrary to some opinions, using ethical jewellery doesn’t mean you will be sacrificing the quality. In fact, you’re likely to receive a higher quality because the jewellery has been made with thought, care, and consideration for the materials used!
If you want more information about the risks of buying poor quality materials, have a look at the bad metals blog post on the Tempest Designs website.
2. Reduced pollution
Mining precious materials can have a devastating effect on the environment by contributing to air pollution, water contamination, and land destruction. However, the production of ethical jewellery focuses on conserving energy to reduce their impact on the environment.
3. Reused materials
Producing ethical jewellery involves using recycled materials, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly method of jewellery production.
4. Added Value
Buying your jewellery from a responsibly-sourced company will give your items another layer of value. Knowing that your jewellery is not the product of unethical working conditions or environmental exploitation is a great feeling!
How can I be sure I’m buying ethically?
Most companies promote the fact that their products are ethically sourced, so you should be able to find this information on their website. If you can’t, don’t be afraid to approach the retailer and ask if they have a company policy on where they source their materials.
If they provide you with details of their ethical supply chain, great! You can shop knowing that you are buying from a sustainable retailer. If, however, they can’t provide you with any information, it’s possible the items aren’t ethically sourced.
So, why should you make sure your jewellery is ethically sourced?
Not only will it benefit the environment and ensure that workers are getting paid and treated fairly, but it’ll also give your jewellery added value. You can be confident that the pieces you wear have been made in a sustainable way, which is a pretty spectacular feeling.
Here at Sarah Tempest, we are passionate about ensuring that our jewellery is ethically sourced. Have a look at Sarah’s story to find out how our products are sourced and have a look at the jewellery we have available.
