For consumers For business
27 Mar

The Ultimate Guide to More Ethical and Sustainable Jewellery

Our editors curate highly rated brands that are first assessed by our rigorous ratings system. Buying through our links may earn us a commission—supporting the work we do. Learn more.

 

How often do we stop to wonder about how our jewellery was made? And which brands are making more ethical and sustainable jewellery?

The ultimate guide to more sustainable jewellery

We’ve all sighed in frustration at how quickly our poorly-made jewellery trend pieces tarnish or begin to lose their once irresistible lustre. Unfortunately, the fast fashion industry has brought about a culture of repeatedly buying jewellery that is thrown out after a few wears, wasting resources and exposing ourselves and the producers to toxic materials along the way.

Thankfully, the increasing global focus on sustainability in the fashion industry has also raised questions about the environmental impacts and ethics of the jewellery that we adorn ourselves with. The responsible jewellery brands below create beautiful lower-impact accessories and gifts, and have all been rated “Good” or “Great” by our world-class ratings team.

ARTICLE22

Rated: Good
Gold snake earrings by ARTICLE22

NEW GOLD TONE SNAKE EARRINGS – Ships internationally from the US

Offers

Someone wearing handcrafted upcycled jewellery by ARTICLE22.

ARTICLE22 – Site-wide

ARTICLE22 handcrafts upcycled aluminum shrapnel from Vietnam War-era bombs and debris into jewellery by traditional artisans in Laos. Spend over $150 and receive a free Story Bangle with code ARTICLE22STORY (Ends: 25 MAR)

Checkout code: ARTICLE22STORY
Shop now

Every piece of ARTICLE22 jewellery is locally handcrafted in Laos using recycled materials from Vietnam War bombs, plane parts, military hardware, and other aluminium scraps. The brand embodies the innovation that the fashion industry needs more of—using recycled materials to produce beautiful globally-marketable products, while equipping local artisans with new skill sets and providing them with a sustainable source of income. ARTICLE22 gives back to clear more unexploded bombs in Laos, supports traditional artisans, and donates a proportion of profit to community development for workers.

The range is available in sizes S-XL.

See the rating.

Shop ARTICLE22.

Raven + Lily

Rated: Good

Petra Circle Signet Ring – Ships internationally from the US

Raven + Lily supports local female artisans to create handmade jewellery, bags, and homewares. This US brand's products are responsibly-made and empower communities through fair wages, healthcare, and education.

See the rating.

Shop Raven + Lily.

Shop Raven + Lily @ Cerqular.

FUTURA Jewelry

Rated: Great

Sole Double Twisted Stacking Ring – Ships internationally from the US

FUTURA Jewelry is a New York based responsible jewellery brand. Each piece of FUTURA Jewelry is handcrafted with mercury-free 18kt Certified Fairmined Ecological gold. The brand's gold comes from the three certified Fairmined mines in the world that mine for gold without the use of toxic chemicals including mercury and cyanide.

See the rating.

Shop FUTURA Jewelry.

Mayamiko

Rated: Great
Luwa earrings by Mayamiko, handcrafted from brass and sterling silver posts.

Luwa Brass Studs – Ships internationally from the UK

Lovingly crafted in Malawi, Mayamiko takes responsible production to the next level with its unique and beautiful fair trade fashion and accessories. With a stunning mix of modern and traditional textiles and cuts from Africa, Asia, and Italy, this 100% PETA-certified vegan brand should be high on your list for colourful clothes. A leading advocate for better labour rights, the brand has also created the Mayamiko Trust, a charity working in the community to train and empower disadvantaged women.

See the rating.

Shop Mayamiko.

ABLE

Rated: Good
A delicate love knot golden ring by ABLE.

Evermore Ring – Ships internationally from the US

ABLE is a US-based clothing and accessories brands, that works with communities all over the world to make a meaningful impact, producing slow fashion that pays a living wage to women who have faced extraordinary circumstances. Most pieces are made from recycled silver, they opt for natural solutions in the manufacturing process, and scraps are melted down into new pieces of gold and silver for reuse.

See the rating.

Shop ABLE.

Adele Dejak

Rated: It's A Start
Brass golden earrings by Adele Dejak.

Miyanda Large Brass Earrings – Ships internationally from Kenya

Adele Dejak’s designs are bold and sophisticated. Made responsibly in Kenya from more environment-friendly materials, Adele Dejak respects the traditions of the past.

See the rating.

Shop Adele Dejak.

People Tree

Rated: Great
A pair of gold heart stud earrings by People Tree.

Heart Stud Earrings – Ships internationally from the UK

Eco-fashion pioneer and leader People Tree is a seriously responsible brand. The brand uses lower-impact materials and addresses labour risks by adopting the Fairtrade International – Small Producers Organisations Code of Conduct.

See the rating.

Shop People Tree UK.

Shop People Tree EU.

Shop People Tree @ Wearwell.

Théla

Rated: Great
someone wearing earrings by Thela

Long Anafiotika Earrings – Ships internationally from Greece

Offers

Close up of small handbag responsibly made from plastic waste by Thela.

Théla – Site-wide

Shop everyday backpacks, tote bags, crossbody bags, and pouches thoughtfully handcrafted from plastic waste. Exclusive 20% off with code THELA20. (Ends: 4 APR)

Checkout code: THELA20
Shop now

Greek brand Théla creates handcrafted fashion and lifestyle accessories with plastic waste. Witnessing the increasing reliance and problems around disposable plastics and over-consumption, founder Diti Kotecha is on a mission to inspire change, diverting plastic from filling landfills, polluting oceans, and harming wildlife. From waste to yarn to you, it crafts pieces using lower-impact materials working with partners from disadvantaged communities, and is entirely vegan.

See the rating.

Shop Théla.

Holly Ryan

Rated: Good
Gold coin necklace from Holly Ryan

Hidden Treasure Coin Necklace – Ships internationally from Australia

Thoughtfully designed, handcrafted jewellery. Quiet luxury for the modern mind. If something you purchase from Holly Ryan has lost its lustre, the brand offers an in-house repair service and also invites you to return the pieces you no longer wear. That’s the kind of circularity we love to see.

See the rating.

Shop Holly Ryan.

Jyoti – Fair Works

Rated: Good
Sustainable earrings by Jyoti-Fair Works

Earring CHENNAI – Ships in Europe from Germany

Truly embodying more ethical fashion practices, Jyoti – Fair Works employs people from marginalised or disadvantaged groups in India, uses only organic cotton in its clothing production, and leaves animal-derived materials out of the equation.

See the rating.

Shop Jyoti.

Automic Gold

Rated: Great
A thin gold bracelet by Automic Gold.

Essential Bracelet – Ships internationally from the US

Radically wearable jewellery. Queer owned and featuring minimalist designs made from reclaimed materials, Automic Gold is setting new standards for more ethical and sustainable jewellery.

See the rating.

Shop Automic Gold.

Kimai

Rated: Good
Sustainable subtle necklace by Kimai

Subtle Necklace – Ships internationally from Belgium

Kimai is a fair trade fine jewellery brand from the UK. Made in Antwerp using 18K gold and lab grown diamonds, this luxury jewellery brand offers statement and everyday essentials for the modern shopper.

See the rating.

Shop Kimai.

AGMES

Rated: Good
Ethical gold rings by AGMES

Astrid Ring Set III – Ships internationally from the US

AGMES is a modern jewellery line from the US, inspired by urban landscapes, architecture, and modern art. Its pieces are handmade in New York from lower-impact materials, including recycled metals.

See the rating.

Shop AGMES.

YU STEPANEL

Rated: Good
woman wearing gold and ecosilver prawn earrings by YU STEPANEL

Prawn Earrings – Ships internationally from the UK

YU STEPANEL is an independent jewellery brand based in London that celebrates a slower pace of living and wearing.

See the rating.

Shop YU STEPANEL.

All Blues

Rated: Good
Sustainable silver earrings by All Blues

Snake Earrings Large Thick in Polished Silver – Ships internationally from Sweden

All Blues creates timeless jewellery for everyone, handcrafted in Stockholm, Sweden from recycled sterling silver.

See the rating.

Shop All Blues.

Nisolo

Rated: Good
Small ethical huggie hoops by Nisolo

Huggie Hoop Earring – Ships internationally from the US

Nisolo is an American brand that prioritises living wages throughout its supply chains while also working to combat climate change. All Nisolo jewellery is handmade by artisans in Kenya using upcycled brass.

See the rating.

Shop Nisolo @ Made Trade.

Shop Nisolo.

Elk

Rated: Good

Kleine Bangle – Ships internationally from Australia

A pioneer of independent Australian design, Elk was founded in Melbourne in 2004. Elk creates bi-annual collections that are informed by a design ethos where simplicity and sustainability meet innovation.

See the rating.

Shop Elk.

Laura Lombardi

Rated: Good
A gold herringbone necklace by Laura Lombardi.

Omega Chain – Ships internationally from the US

Laura Lombardi is an eponymous jewellery line made and designed in New York that features the latest trends and ethics.

See the rating.

Shop Laura Lombardi.

Bario Neal

Rated: Good
A cluster necklace features morganite, diamond, and champagne diamond.

Burst Cluster Morganite with Diamond Pendant Yellow Gold – Ships internationally from the US

Bario Neal is a custom jewellery designer that creates handmade rings and fine jewellery with conflict-free diamonds and other gemstones. The brand uses responsibly-sourced materials, including reclaimed precious metals, Fairmined gold, and more ethically-sourced stones to bring to life each of its uniquely designed pieces.

Melissa Joy Manning

Rated: Great
A freeform amethyst and gold ring responsibly crafted by Melissa Joy Manning.

Freeform Amethyst Ring – Ships internationally from the US

Luxury handmade jewellery from designer Melissa Joy Manning. The stunning pieces are crafted locally from recycled silver and gold sourced from a Green Certified refinery. The brand’s artisans design jewellery to be treasured and to last, redefining what "precious" means by creating pieces that are unique to the wearer, instead of contributing to a culture of disposable fashion.

See the rating.

Shop Melissa Joy Manning.

Stella McCartney

Rated: Good

Pre-Owned Stella McCartney Jewellery – Ships internationally

A member of the Ethical Trading Initiative and Sustainable Apparel Coalition, Stella McCartney has set some excellent environmental standards across the luxury fashion industry. Stella uses some lower-impact materials, including recycled polyester and organic cotton, and has a strategy in place to reduce waste across its entire supply chain. It has also adopted the ETI Code of Conduct that includes a living wage definition.

Find most items in sizes 34-52.

See the rating.

Shop Stella McCartney @ LVRSustainable.

Shop Stella McCartney Pre-Owned @ Vestiaire Collective.

Shop Stella McCartney.

So, there you have it. Whether you are looking for your next “treat yourself” item or a gift for a loved one, the beautiful, more sustainable jewellery that these brands produce while encouraging change and supporting better practices means that you never need to sacrifice aesthetics for your values.

Looking for more sustainable jewellery inspo? Discover more ethical luxury jewellery brands

Editor's note

Feature image via Laura Lombardi. All other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world's most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.

Ethical brand ratings. There’s an app for that.

Wear the change you want to see. Download our app to discover ethical brands and see how your favourites measure up.