What is an 'Ethical Jeweller'?

ETHICAL

(eth·i·cal)

Connected with moral principles about what is right and wrong and the branch of knowledge dealing with these practices.

In order for jewellery to classified as ethical, the traceability of each element must be identified. An ethical jeweller should be completely transparent about their supply chain and where their materials (precious metals and gemstones) are sourced from, and be able to provide you with evidence prior to purchase.

When tracing the materials back to the suppliers, it is also important to identify the impact that it has had on the planet – and the community. Traditional mining practices have been fraught with malpractices, and the welfare of the workers haven often fallen short.

In a world where greenwashing prevalent in almost every industry, it can be hard to identify which brands are actually doing their part to to have a positive impact on our planet and wider communities. Today we are sharing 3 crucial things that a jeweller must be able to show, in order to be considered ‘ethical’.

3 THINGS A JEWELLERY BRAND MUST DO TO BE CONSIDERED ETHICAL

01. Address overconsumption

Alongside fast fashion, jewellery is often worn just a handful of times before ending up in landfill. If jewellery has been plated, the gold or silver can quickly fade, leaving the cheaper materials behind.

At KIND Collection, we take an active approach to lowering the overconsumption of jewellery by only working with solid precious metals, to ensure the longevity of each piece. We also offer our Recycle + Rework services to those who no longer wear their jewellery, and would like to use the existing materials and redesign them into a new style. Our aim is to create a circular economy with our jewellery, where each piece can last generations and be redesigned time and time again.

02. Support the workers

Arguably the most important aspect of being an ethical jeweller is the focus on the miners and local communities where the materials are sourced from. Diamond and precious metal mines have been associated with violence and unfair labour for decades – so the traceability of the materials used in your jewellery is crucial for it to be considered ‘ethical’.

Since KIND Collection first began, our aim was to ensure every piece of gold/silver/platinum and gemstone could be traced from mine to market. We have done our research to ensure that not only our supply chain is ethical – but that the businesses we work with also exclusively implement ethical practices. You can learn more about our suppliers in our recent blog: "The KIND Supply Chain”.

03. Reduce the environmental impact

In addition to the issue of overconsumption, there are many other things that an ethical jeweller must consider in order to reduce their impact on the planet. Harsh chemicals are often used when manufacturing jewellery, which can end up in water systems and subsequently harming our environment.

To ensure our jewellery has minimal impact on the planet, we only use non-toxic products when cleaning and creating our jewellery. We also encourage our community to purchased pre-loved jewellery through our Vintage Collection. Shopping vintage is a great way to support sustainable and ethical practices, as the materials are already in circulation. Additionally, our Recycle + Rework services also encourage our community to reuse the materials that they already have, which also enhances the sentimental value of their special piece.

As a business, we aim to be KIND. Our jewellery has been handcrafted in the UK with our planet and humankind in mind. We are open about our supply chain and encourage you get in contact with us if you have any questions about our suppliers or our methods.