For those who want to do a little more to help the environment there are many ways to make the necessary changes to their lifestyle, but how many people consider the eco-friendly credentials of their jewelry? The truth is that most commercially produced jewelry has quite a substantial carbon footprint, so choosing eco-friendly pieces can make a difference. Eco-friendly jewelry is manufactured using methods that are much more responsible, both socially and environmentally.
Precious metals
When it comes to fair working practices and conditions the gold mining industry does not have the best reputation. The actual work to extract the gold is damaging for the earth and with issues such as safety standards, respect for the indigenous peoples and the use of toxic substances like mercury and cyanide in the process of mining, an eco-friendly alternative is essential. Renewed gold is the alternative that could ensure that no further damage is done. Renewed gold is the precious metal that has already been mined and previously used. It is simply recycled to create new pieces. Ecoura uses renewed gold to create unique and beautiful pieces of jewelry that will not have a negative impact upon the planet.
Precious stones
Did you ever hear the phrase ‘conflict diamonds’? Many of the world’s diamonds are mined and sold in order to fund wars and other violent acts in Africa. Lives are lost and there are human rights abuses during the mining process. Again, the methods used for mining are very damaging to the environment. Getting diamonds that are conflict-free is not easy because there is not really any way to guarantee that they have been mined ethically but there are some sources of diamonds that are much more environmentally-friendly such as Canada.
Environmentally friendly pearls
You may think that pearls are much more eco-friendly than diamonds and gold – after all, they are produced by oysters. However, the methods used to harvest them are not eco-friendly. There is ecological damage in the form of the depletion of the species. Ecosystems are damaged when the high-powered hoses are used to clean the oysters. Mussel populations are also affected by the cultivation of pearls by using mussel nuclei. Some pearl farms are using natural methods for cleaning pearls that do not destroy the environment for the native fish populations.
When you are buying a piece of jewelry it is always a good idea to ask where and how the piece was manufactured. Most jewelers will be able to tell you where it has come from, but it will always help if you look for a jeweler that specializes in eco-friendly jewelry. Ecoura uses renewed gold and it is estimated that for every gold ring manufactured this way, between 5 and 20 tons of environmental waste and damage can be saved. And the piece you purchase will still be just as beautiful as those that have left a negative stamp on the environment.