How do you know if a piece of jewelry is ethical?
If eco-responsibility has been fashionable for several years, be careful of greenwashing and fraudulent marketing speeches from brands whose interest is not in respecting the planet.
Brand transparency
The starting point of any responsible approach is transparency. The information given to the consumer must be clear and precise so as to provide the keys to making a conscious purchasing decision.
Transparency concerns in particular the method of manufacturing jewelry, the materials used and also the sincere intention of the brand to limit its impact on people and their environment.
In jewelry, it is difficult to be environmentally perfect. A jewelry brand must be “responsible” for its products by communicating honestly about their processes.
A place for crafts
Some brands create their own elements from A to Z, while others source their products from wholesalers. By choosing the work of artisans rather than a brand practicing purchase-resale, you promote craftsmanship and thought work. A piece of jewelry that is entirely handmade will take longer to make and will be more expensive.
To check if a piece of jewelry is handmade, head to the “About” section of the site or take a look at social media. Do we see the creator or the artisans working? Their tools? Is the jewelry “selected”, “assembled” or handmade in the traditional way?
At Manora Bijoux, you are shown behind the scenes of artisanal manufacturing on video on Instagram to follow the creation of a piece of jewelry.
Materials
As with clothing or objects, favor second hand or recycled items. This includes upcycling (use of old elements) or the use of recycled metals (gold, silver). This avoids the use of virgin resources and does not increase production demand.
Jewelry labels (RJC, Fairmined, Fairtrade) make it possible to regulate the extraction and trading of precious metals (gold and silver). They are a good indicator of a brand's desire to offer a more regulated system in an industry that is often too opaque.
In the making of Manora jewelry, recycled and labeled metals are prioritized.
Made in...?
The choice of production partners and the manufacturing location influence the ecological character of a jewelry brand. Are the jewelry “ designed ” or “ made ” in France? Pay attention to the words used by brands because language abuse is very common.
Choosing a brand whose manufacturing is French promotes the economic dynamics of the region and ensures that artisans are decently remunerated.
The proximity of the actors also limits transport that emits greenhouse gases. The short circuit without intermediaries is the most virtuous mode of distribution.
Sustainability
There are two types of jewelry: costume jewelry and jewelry. In terms of durability, bet on precious metals that will last a lifetime (gold, silver, platinum) if your wallet allows it.
Costume jewelry (gold, gold plated, silver plated) will be more fragile in return for being less expensive. They can last for years (up to ten years!) if they are well maintained and well tolerated by the skin.
Check that the brand offers quality after-sales service to make your jewelry last over time.
Solidarity
A brand manufacturing ethical and responsible jewelry limits its environmental impact as much as possible by reusing existing materials. Its production chain is local and respectful of human working conditions.