Top 6 Ethical & Sustainable Jewelry Brands You'll Love

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James Miller
By 
James is an environmentalist, sustainability expert and senior editor at TheRoundup, specializing in testing non-toxic, organic and eco-friendly products. James, his wife and two daughters believe in chemical-free and zero-waste living. They aim to leave the planet in a better state than we found it, for future generations to enjoy.
James Miller
Updated: October 30, 2024

Is it really possible to get stunning jewelry that looks and feels incredible, but is made from sustainably sourced materials that don't damage the environment?

I decided to find out. But I realized quickly I couldn't do it alone. The lovely Mrs. Miller was only too happy to help me find where to buy eco-friendly jewelry in the U.S.

Diamonds might be a Girl's Best Friend - but they can be the worst nightmare for the planet and the people who mine them.

Later, I’ll go into more detail about exactly what to look for when shopping for ethical and environmentally friendly jewelry.

But first, I’d like to introduce you to the best sustainable jewelry brands that impressed the hell out of me and Mrs. M.

Top 6 Amazing Sustainable & Ethical Jewelry Brands

  • Based: Los Angeles, USA
  • Ships To: USA & Worldwide

We Say: Yes, I’ve gone straight in with a top-end luxury jewelry company that's one of the most expensive on the list. But you'll soon see why.

If you’re not looking for high-end diamond jewelry, the other sustainable jewelry brands listed below are much more affordable.

However, if you’re in the market for the best lab-made diamonds money can buy, then VRAI has to be your first point of call.

I first came across the brand when putting together my list of the best eco-friendly engagement rings, and the quality of their range and sustainability credentials impressed me so much I had to include them here as well.

VRAI is based in California, with showrooms in LA, San Francisco, Shanghai, Xi'an, and Chongqing.

They grow their own gemstones in a zero-emission foundry energized 100% by the renewable power of the Columbia River in the beautiful Pacific West.

You can learn more about VRAI diamonds are created here.

Mrs. M Says: The jewelry VRAI produce is simply breathtaking. Their designs are simple, elegant, and timeless, and made from the very finest sustainably sourced materials.

Their Melrose Place store is incredible! If you’re ever in the CA 90069 area, I strongly recommend a visit. Even if it’s just to drool over the pearl necklaces and earrings in the window display.

There’s no hiding from the cost. VRAI can be expensive. However, some lovely entry pieces are available for less than $200. The Knife-Edge Bezel Earrings are mega cute and cost $195 each.

But it’s the special occasion pieces where VRAI shines (literally) for me!

If your budget can stretch that far, a piece of VRAI jewelry will be passed down and cherished for generation, after generation, after generation.

With that in mind (and in light of our upcoming wedding anniversary) if a certain Mr. M is stuck on ideas. I do love bracelets, and I ABSOLUTELY ADORE the Round Tennis Bracelet - Petite - White Gold! ????????

Verified Customer Reviews

  • Gorgeous Diamond Necklace!

    I was skeptical to purchase a diamond online, however, this was an incredible purchase. The diamond is brilliant! It sparkles and is so beautiful!

    Gena P
    ★★★★★

  • Compliments Everywhere!

    This ring has so much sparkle that whenever I put my hand out to anything someone always mentions my ring. I’ve gotten so many compliments on my ring. I’m so unbelievably happy with what I received.

    Valerie M
    ★★★★★

  • Best Jeweler Experience And Ring

    Nothing bad to say about VRAI, the staff, or the ring. My now fiancé loves everything about our experience with VRAI, our associate Hunter was great, and the service was quick once I picked out a ring. It looks beautiful and everything my fiancé wanted it to be. She can’t stop staring at it and she is getting so many compliments regarding it. I’d come back to VRAI over and over again.

    Nick C
    ★★★★★

  • Based: North Carolina, USA
  • Ships To: U.S., Canada, UK

We Say: LaBante London is a sustainable jewelry label I’ve had my eye on for a while.

It specializes in high-quality vegan leather bags, but also offers some stunning jewelry at very reasonable prices.

I love how Vanita (the founder of the LaBante London brand) strives to make ethical fashion available to everyone while still bringing luxury style. Her pieces are handcrafted using ethically sourced materials that meet the Peta vegan standards.

LaBante London is an excellent choice for anyone looking to make an ethically conscious fashion choice.

Once you browse the beautiful designs in their collection, you won't be able to resist. Go check them out for yourself…I think you’ll be impressed.

Labante London sustainable necklace

Mrs. M Says: LaBante London kindly sent me an Enigma Sterling Silver Necklace, and I love it!

Vanita is a brand that's passionate about creating pieces with sustainable materials so you can feel good about your purchase. And this necklace is no expectation.

The ethical 925 sterling silver is simple and classy.

The cubic zirconia adds just the right level of sparkle.

The chain is 45cm, but you can adjust it to 42cm, 43cm, or 44cm.

This great value piece (RRP $79.95) is a proper jewelry box staple that brings a touch of glamour to any everyday outfit.

  • Based: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
  • Ships To: USA & Canada

We Say: ABLE made it onto our list of the best sustainable fashion brands, so it stood to reason that I should also take a look at their jewelry offering.

Ethical jewelry brands don’t come much better than ABLE. Their transparency and sustainability credentials are above reproach.

They aim to create economic opportunities for the millions of underpaid women in the supply chain to the fashion industry.

This is achieved by ensuring safe working conditions and fair pay for all their workers.

I love that every piece of ABLE jewelry is handmade in Nashville, Tennessee. This supports the local economy and keeps emissions low due to reduced transportation of materials and finished goods.

Mrs. M Says: The ABLE range of handmade jewelry is super cute and super affordable.

My favorite are the Bali Hoops. A real statement pair of earrings. At a great price.

I also love that you can personalize many of the pieces with wording of your choice.

  • Based: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
  • Ships To: USA only

We Say: Nashville appears to be the place to be at the moment for fair-priced and fair-traded sustainable jewelry.

First ABLE, and now Nisolo is representing the Music City in the jewelry world!

Nisolo is Climate Neutral Certified and pays every worker a 100% living wage.

Mrs. M Says: Nisolo jewelry collaborates with local artisans in Peru, Mexico, and Kenya.

This totally comes across in the rustic nature of the brass they use.

I adore the Stacked Shape Hoop Earrings.

Nisolo has a relaxed shabby chic showroom you can visit if you’re ever in the Nashville area (TN 37208).

  • Based: North Carolina, USA
  • Ships To: Worldwide

We Say: Boasting 1% For The Planet and Climate Neutral Certified accreditations, Made Trade is a bit of a hero brand of mine. I love what they stand for, and I couldn't help but be impressed by their beautiful jewelry range.

Mrs. M Says: As a family, we’re a little obsessed with Made Trade at the moment.

Being the massive eco-nerd he is, James loves the brand ethos because they’re, as he said over the dining table one evening recently, “saving the planet with their sustainable fashion”.

Like I said...ECO-NERD! ????

What I love about Made Trade is the high quality of everything they sell. The fact that it’s all eco-friendly is almost secondary (almost!)...but a real bonus!

My favorite is the Moonstone Halo Stacking Ring Set for two reasons:

  1. It was a Mother's Day gift from my beautiful daughters
  2. The sustainable moonstone is stunning and speaks to my old inner hippy

The range of different brands on Made Trade that are not available anywhere else is also a big selling point for me.

Get 10% Off at Made Trade with Coupon Code: THEROUNDUP10
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  • Based: Toronto, Canada
  • Ships To: Worldwide

We Say: I’ve been hearing A LOT about Omi Woods from Mrs. M, so I thought I’d better check it out for myself.

The name Omi Woods is a nod to founder Ashley Alexis McFarlane's Jamaican-Ashanti-Maroon heritage.

Omi means 'water' in the Yoruba language.

Jamaica comes from the indigenous Taino word 'Xaymaca', meaning 'land of wood and water'.

It’s a clever name for a seriously popular artisan jewelry brand.

With over 4.5k sales and close to 35k admirers on Etsy, it’s safe to say it’s not just Mrs. M who loves Omi Woods.

The Omi Woods range is designed to celebrate and honor African heritage.

Only fair trade gold / conflict-free gold is used. It’s sourced from small-scale artisanal mines that guarantee fair wages and safe working conditions.

Mrs. M Says: I’ve been obsessed with Omi Woods ever since a girlfriend told me about their COWRIE Infinity Necklace.

It’s simply stunning. I wear it as often as I can. It makes pretty much any low-cut top or dress plunging and sexy.

I also love the matching COWRIE Stud Earrings.

All Omi Woods pieces are made to order and usually shipped within 3-4 weeks.

Our Criteria: What To Look For In a Sustainable Jewelry Brand

Fair Trade Diamonds

If not properly regulated, diamond mining can have a negative impact on human health and environmental health.

You can choose to have a more environmentally friendly sparkle by looking for jewelry made using any of the following options:

  • Ethically Sourced Diamonds: This ensures that miners work in safe conditions and are paid fair wages. Ethical diamond mining companies offer their miners healthcare and education.
  • Conflict-Free Diamonds: Gemstones mined in an area free from any kind of terrorism or war. Also, the proceeds from the sale of conflict-free diamonds are not used to finance conflict, terrorism, or civil war.
  • Recycled Diamonds: Some dealers purchase old stones, clean them, re-cut them (if necessary), and then sell them as recycled diamonds. Recycling reduces the demand for mined diamonds. The original source may have been unethical, but recycling them prevents future unethical practices.
  • Lab-Grown Diamonds: The process of growing gemstones in a lab mimics the natural processes that create them in nature. This is my favorite option because it removes the need to mine natural resources from the earth in the first place. Lab-grown gemstones are also usually cheaper to buy. However, this also means their resale value is generally lower than mined stones of similar quality.

All of the above applies to most other gems also.

Recycled Gold

Recycled gold is usually made by melting down old jewelry. It’s sometimes mixed with new gold or gold from other sources (industrial metals, electronic devices, etc.). It’s refined to remove any impurities, resulting in quality that matches newly mined gold.

When it's used to make new sustainable jewelry, you won't be able to tell the difference in quality. But you'll like the price! Recycled gold is a far more cost-effective way of making jewelry, which means your rings, necklaces and bracelets will cost you less.

Other Recycled Metals

Gold isn't the only metal that can be recycled to make jewelry. Also, look out for the following recycled metals:

  • Recycled sterling silver
  • Recycled bronze
  • Recycled brass

Fair Trade Practices

We mostly associate Fair Trade practices with the food industry. However, by looking for fair trade jewelry, you’re helping build a sustainable supply chain that works for everyone involved.

Upcycled Materials

It’s not just recycled materials and metals you need to look out for. Upcycling is also prominent in the jewelry world.

Jewelry made from upcycled materials takes something no longer needed and turns it into something someone wants. Think a kindergarten shell and pasta necklace...but classier...if that’s possible! ????

Reusing/resetting old gems in new jewelry, for example, is a great way to reduce the demand for new gems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where Can I Sell Unwanted Precious Metal?

Many websites offer to pay you top dollar for your unwanted fine metals and vintage jewelry. It’s difficult to know who to trust, though.

Rather than sending your old jewelry off and crossing your fingers that you’ll ever get paid, I recommend popping to your local pawn shop. You should still get a reasonable price, and you know precisely who you’re dealing with. 

Are Eco-Friendly Jewelry Brands Worth The Price?

Yes, eco-friendly jewelry brands offer good value for money, providing you choose the best ones. While it’s true that a sustainable fine jewelry brand, like VRAI, has pieces costing many tens of thousands of dollars, there is still value for money to be found if you shop around.

Is Cartier Fair Trade?

According to Chelsey Grasso of Remake, “Cartier has chosen to take a leading role in advancing ethical code in the jewelry industry. Their gemstones are sourced from suppliers who share the company’s values, and Cartier requires a Statement of Warranty for every diamond-related invoice they receive”.

Does Pandora Use Blood Diamonds?

According to the BBC, Pandora has pledged to focus solely on lab-grown diamonds.

The Final Word

So. There we go. I hope this article has helped highlight that sustainable jewelry brands do not have to cost the earth. Both literally and financially.

The best jewelry companies don’t just use sustainable materials. They also have green business practices, materials, and fair trade policies ensuring that everyone in the supply chain (from mine/lab to store) is treated fairly and paid what they’re due.

True sustainability comes from not consuming needlessly. Investing in a handful of quality sustainable pieces of jewelry that will last a lifetime is one way to reduce the environmental impact of your fashion choices. Timeless jewelry never goes out of fashion!

Finally, a big thanks to my better half again for her input into this article. Always very much appreciated. It looks like I might have to return the anniversary scarf I ordered! ????

Get In Touch

Where do you buy your eco-friendly sparkle? Have I missed your favorite jewelry shop? Drop me a line and let me know.

James Miller
James Miller
James is an environmentalist, sustainability expert and senior editor at TheRoundup, specializing in testing non-toxic, organic and eco-friendly products. James, his wife and two daughters believe in chemical-free and zero-waste living. They aim to leave the planet in a better state than we found it, for future generations to enjoy.

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