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21 Jul

15 Chic Responsibly-Made Necklaces to Complement Any Outfit

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There’s nothing quite like an eye-catching piece of jewellery to dress up an outfit. And these 15 necklaces—from brands doing better for people, the planet, and animals—are our editors’ current favourites. 

A conscious outfit complement

Humans have been adorning themselves in shiny objects since the Stone Age, and our love of decorating ourselves has never waned.

Necklaces were one of the first types of jewellery invented. While they’ve gone through various iterations over the centuries, from shells to crosses to precious stones, contemporary styles vary widely to suit every taste or tribute. But much of the jewellery we consume today has fallen into the sticky clutches of fast fashion, often made from unethically sourced, poor-quality metals and plastic.

But, of course, simply because something’s beautiful doesn’t mean it’s harmless. Sustainability and ethics in jewellery supply chains are complicated, but there are brands that are doing more on these issues. Many of them are small and independent, meaning you’ll often find more one-of-a-kind styles, too.

What to look out for when shopping for more sustainable jewellery? More sustainable necklaces might incorporate lower-impact materials like Fairmined Ecological gold, lab-grown or conflict-free diamonds, upcycled rubber, or recycled metals. And while we recommend using what you have before buying new (which includes prolonging the life of any cheap, trendy pieces you’ve collected that are looking a bit worse for wear), if you’re on the market for a new necklace, the following brands are doing it right.

ARTICLE22

Rated: Good
An engraved bar tag necklace made from handcast repurposed military grade aluminium.

Enjoy Your Existence Bar Tag Necklace – Ships internationally from the US

Be mindful, be present, and enjoy your existence with this engraved bar tag necklace made from handcast repurposed military grade aluminium.

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.

FUTURA Jewelry

Rated: Good
A gold love locket from FUTURA jewellery.

Love Locket – Ships internationally from the US

The striking gold Love Locket was designed to keep your loved ones close. Handmade in 18kt Fairmined Ecological gold, it features a Mother Earth design on both sides.

FUTURA Jewelry is a New York based ethical 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.

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Shop FUTURA Jewelry.

Boma

Rated: Good
A delicate silver and turquoise bird design necklace responsibly-made by Boma.

Turquoise Bird Necklace – Ships within the US

This delicate turquoise bird necklace with a signature stone pendant is a great way to add an extra pop of colour to your wardrobe. The gemstones Boma sources are always the real deal—genuine and natural.

Boma is a jewellery brand that believes in honesty, kindness, and safety for all, valuing and respecting people and the planet. The variety of affordable and responsibly-sourced jewellery pieces are sure to appeal to any taste.

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Shop Boma.

Automic Gold

Rated: Great
A circle necklace in 14kt recycled gold from Automic Gold.

Bound Together Necklace – Ships internationally from the US

A cute take on a classic circle necklace, this 14kt recycled gold stunner is a great way to showcase your connection to someone you love.

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

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Shop Automic Gold.

Natalie Marie Jewellery

Rated: Good
An intricate gold necklace for people on a journey to parenthood crafted by Natalie Marie Jewellery from responsibly materials.

Sollune Necklace – Ships internationally from Australia

The Solune Necklace was crafted to recognise mothers at all places on their journey towards parenthood. Featuring a spinning plate, set inside a revolving ring, on two different axes, each side of the plate is adorned with a unique hand-engraving and, when in motion, evokes the celestial patterns in the sky.

Based in Sydney, Natalie Marie Jewellery was born out of a passion for the craft with a focus on sustainability and high quality materials.

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Shop Natalie Marie Jewellery.

Laura Lombardi

Rated: Good
A hand assembled chain necklace with graduated drop detail in 14kt gold plated brass.

Scala Necklace – Ships internationally from the US

Hand assembled chain necklace with graduated drop detail in 14kt gold plated brass.

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

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Shop Laura Lombardi.

YU STEPANEL

Rated: Good
A silver lion medallion chain necklace responsibly-made by YU STEPANEL.

The Leo Necklace – Ships internationally

This light and easy sterling silver necklace on a trace chain locked with a t-bar is eye-catching with its subtle lion design recycled medallion.

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

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Shop YU STEPANEL @ Staiy.

Shop YU STEPANEL.

Kimai

Rated: Good
An elegant cascading gold chain and marquise diamond necklace by Kimai.

Cascade Necklace – Ships internationally from the UK

As the name suggests, the elegant Cascade Necklace features six marquise diamonds that exude elegance. Wear alone to accentuate your décolletage or layer up with your other Kimai pieces.

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

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Shop Kimai.

AuTerra

Rated: Great
A sustainable necklace pendant with four separate strands on a sterling silver chain in your choice of length.

Grassveld Pendant – Ships internationally from South Africa

Inspired by the wind blowing through South Africa’s Highveld grassland, this more sustainable necklace pendant consists of four separate strands on a sterling silver chain in your choice of length. Both the pendant and the chain are crafted from sterling silver reclaimed from e-waste.

AuTerra is a South African brand that creates more sustainable jewellery handcrafted in precious metals recycled from e-waste.

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Shop AuTerra.

Bario Neal

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

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

This gorgeous cluster necklace features morganite, diamond, and champagne diamond.

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

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Shop Bario Neal.

Raven + Lily

Rated: Good
A geometric link necklace made from upcycled brass.

Kia Link Necklace – Ships internationally from the US

Playful yet bold, the Kia Link Necklace is made from upcycled brass in Kenya. It is inspired by pioneering female artists Hilma af Klint and Emma Kunz and their abstract use of geometric shapes.

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.

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Shop Raven + Lily.

Shop Raven + Lily @ Cerqular.

Lilian von Trapp

Rated: Great
A medial silver chain necklace with a recycled gold clasp made in Berlin by Lilian von Trapp.

Medial Token Chain – Ships internationally from Germany

The medial token chain impresses with its thick chain links connected to the medial token to create your own story. Made in the brand’s Berlin workshop from 925 silver with an 18kt recycled yellow gold clasp.

Lilian von Trapp is a contemporary jewellery brand that offers minimal and timeless designs, handcrafted from lower-impact metals like recycled gold.

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Shop Lilian von Trapp.

ABLE

Rated: Good
A gold-filled necklace with your monogram.

Monogram Necklace – Ships within the US and Canada from the US

Customise this gold-filled necklace with your monogram and layer with other ABLE necklaces for an everyday, layered look.

ABLE is a US-based clothing and accessories brand 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. It uses lower-impact materials, and reuses water and materials to minimise waste. With thoughtful design and a level of quality that guarantees its products for life, its pieces aren’t just an investment for your wardrobe, they are an investment in women around the world.

See the rating.

Shop ABLE.

People Tree

Rated: Great
A long moon pendant necklace from People Tree.

Silver Plated Moon Necklace – Ships internationally from the UK

In a long pendant style, this accent Moon Necklace is a great addition to any number of tops and dresses.

Eco-fashion pioneer and leader People Tree is a seriously responsible brand. It 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.

Mayamiko

Rated: Great
A beautiful thread twisted necklace.

Entwined Necklace in Madder Pink – Ships internationally from the UK

Beautiful twisted necklace, created for Mayamiko by women empowerment partner workshop Amma in Sri Lanka using natural plant dyes.

Mayamiko takes responsible 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.

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.

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