Showing posts with label ethical jewellery. Show all posts

Ethical Jewellery With Jacqueline And Edward Jewellers

This year I feel has seen a change in how we view the environment and our surroundings. Many companies are really thinking about how they can make their products eco-friendly and some start with a strong environmental ethos. One such company is Jacqueline and Edward Jewellers. This is an advertorial.


Jacqueline and Edward Jewellers are a small Yorkshire based jewellery company that turn UK gold into artisan handmade jewellery including wedding rings and pendants.

Their unique selling point is that they go back to traditional ways of finding gold by panning for gold in the wilds of the UK countryside. How different and unique is that? The company was set up over 30 years ago when co-founder Mark ventured into the world of gold panning with his late father Edward. Mark then set up the company named after Edward with his wife Jacqueline and so the company Jacqueline and Edward was born.


Panning for gold is a century-old activity that is non-evasive and does not harm the environment as traditional mining for gold can. You can even go on a gold panning experience with Jacqueline and Edward Jewellers and use some of the gold to make your own wedding ring in combination with ethically sourced recycled gold. A very memorable way of sourcing your wedding rings, one you will remember forever.

Jacqueline and Edward Jewellers will then make your own bespoke wedding rings by hand in their workshop to the highest quality. 

An important collaboration that Jacqueline and Edward Jewellers are involved in is the Tree Of Life partnership with Trees For Life. Trees For Life is a not for profit charity which is working hard to replant the native Caledonian forest in Scotland, providing space for wildlife to survive.  Jacqueline and Edward Jewellers have agreed that for every ring or pair of rings purchased they will plant a tree in their very own grove for you. The tree can be named after you or your partner too.

 The Tree Of Life initiative has now expanded and when purchasing a Christmas tree pendant, Jacqueline and Edward Jewellers will plant a tree for you too - a tree for a tree.  So you can give two gifts in one!

 Jacqueline and Edward kindly sent me one of their Christmas tree pendants in exchange for this review. 


The Christmas tree pendant arrived beautifully presented in recyclable packaging and topped with a gold fabric ribbon. The gold detailing on the box really stood out, making it look very classy.


The gorgeous necklace inside, made of 18 ct rose gold is really beautiful. The warm rich colour of the rose gold really makes the necklace stand out. On an 18-inch fine curb chain, a dainty tree pendant dangles from a bale and shines in the light. One side of the necklace is polished whilst the other side is matt, so you can wear it both ways.

 The Christmas tree pendant comes with a card explaining that by purchasing a pendant with Jacqueline and Edward Jewellers, they have planted a native tree in the Caledonian Forest on your behalf. Giving back to the forest and the environment. This is a super initiative as trees contribute to their environment by providing oxygen, improving air quality, conserving water, preserving soil, and supporting wildlife.
The pretty Christmas tree pendant is available in either white, rose or yellow gold and also in silver.  The silver necklace is priced from £75, the 9ct necklaces from £125 and the 18ct necklaces from £210. For the quality of the jewellery, the fact that they plant a tree for you too and the message behind the necklaces, I think these will make a precious gift at Christmas time or any other time of year.

 I really love my rose gold necklace, and to know that the gold is ethically sourced is the icing on the cake. Mining for precious metals can be damaging to the environment with the chemicals used and the mining process.  Using gold that has been found by panning in the wilds of the British countryside is an eco-friendly way to make jewellery that can be treasured forever. 

 Let me know what you think of the Christmas tree pendant from Jacqueline and Edward Jewellers. What do you think of their ethos? Would you like to try panning for gold to make your wedding rings? Let me know.

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Lab Created Diamonds - An Ethical Choice For Christmas

Have you heard of lab-created diamonds? Lab-created diamonds are grown by scientists in a lab and display the same optical and scientific properties of diamonds naturally formed in the earth. 
At the moment only a small percentage of diamonds sold in the world are lab-created diamonds but this is growing and growing for a reason.
Eco-Friendly
Lab-created diamonds are thought to be infinitely more eco-friendly. Whilst diamond mining isn't as bad for the environment as other types of mining using chemicals to extract gems, there are still concerns over deforestation, earth displacement and the use of energy and water consumption used in the mining process.  Diamonds that are lab-created do not have these issues and that can only be a good thing.
Attractive prices
Lab-created diamonds are 30 to 50 per cent cheaper than naturally mined diamonds. This makes them more affordable to the average person. They still have the dazzling shine and stunning beauty of a naturally mined diamond but are more affordable to buy and are accessible to more people. 
Recognition by De Beers

De Beers, the international cooperation that focuses on mining and marketing diamonds have devised a way of telling natural from manmade diamonds but you cannot tell with the naked eye. In fact they are extremely difficult to tell apart, even most jewellers wouldn't be able to tell and the natural inclusions in a naturally mined diamond are the main reason. Lab-created diamonds are almost too perfect, it's true! Of course, people will always want natural diamonds due to their rarity but if you are looking for an affordable and eco-friendly choice then lab-created diamonds are an amazing alternative.
Lark & Berry

So where can you get a lab-created diamond? A jewellery company that sells lab-created diamond jewellery is Lark & Berry. Lark & Berry feel that growing their diamonds in a lab eliminates ethical questions like whether the stones exchanged hands to fund war, or the damage mining does to local communities.  
Lark & Berry was born out of a taste for being unique and to stand out in the diamond market. The owner of the company Laura Chavez was frustrated in not being able to buy high-quality diamonds, ethically sourced at an affordable price and so the company was born.

Selling a range of gorgeous lab-created diamond and precious stone jewellery including diamond rings, diamond necklaces, bracelets and earrings, with Lark & Berry you can be assured every item of jewellery is of high quality, chic and effortlessly ethically stylish.
Their classic jewellery is ...well, just beautiful. Diamond engagement rings made for today's woman with princess cut diamonds, or round brilliant cut diamonds have a simple setting or a subtle twist, whilst the outstanding halo engagement ring is sure to catch the light. My favourite is the Nocturnal coloured diamond wrap ring, a popular fashion-led style. The asymmetrical ring is dotted with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and rubies of different sizes and is a standout statement ring of epic proportions. 

You can buy all the jewellery featured from Lark & Berry jewellery online and at the stores in London, New York, LA and Hong Kong. 
Let me know, which of these designs featured do you love? Would you buy lab-created diamonds?
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What Is Ethical Jewellery And Why Should You Buy It?

When you choose a ring from a jeweller, you probably never stop to think where it came from, right? With blood diamonds and slave labour behind some pieces of jewellery, there comes a time where we need to stop and reconsider where our jewellery is coming from. If you want to know more about how you can help others and join the ethical jewellery movement, then read on.

What Are Blood Diamonds?



Blood diamonds, often known as conflict diamonds, are called this as they have been made unethically. This source of jewellery came to light after the movie “Blood Diamond”, starring Leonardo DiCaprio was released. If you want to get a good understanding of what goes on in the world of unethical diamonds, this film is worth a watch. Conflict diamonds are mined by rebel groups, who sell the diamonds on to pay for weapons and fund conflicts.

A diamond mined this way is the same composition than a diamond that has been mined conflict-free and can be traced back to its source. This means you will not be lowering your standards with your jewellery when you look for conflict-free or synthetic diamonds. You simply have the advantage of knowing your diamond did not take part in the harm of our planet or its people.  

I always look for a diamond that is certified as part of the 'Kimberley Process' to ensure it is a conflict-free diamond and you should too.

What Exactly Is Ethical Jewellery?



Ethical jewellery is exactly what it sounds like. It is jewellery that has been sourced legally and ethically, meaning the environment and the people who have sourced it have not suffered. This means purchasing jewellery that can be traced right back to where it was first sourced from, so you can discover if it was ethically made.

Any jewellery that is labelled Fairtrade and diamonds that are conflict-free are ethical. It may mean that the jewellery has used recycled materials, like gemstones, or synthetic diamonds (that look just as beautiful as the real thing without any harm being caused in production). Ethical jewellers take a stand against unfair wages and long working hours, as well as never using children in their workforce. They also ensure that minimal environmental damage is caused when their products are made.

How Can I Ensure I Buy Ethical Jewellery?



The best way to make sure your jewellery is ethical is to purchase from an ethical jeweller. You should hopefully be able to find a few of these companies. For example, there’s Ingle & Rhode based in London, who sell ethical fine jewellery using Canadian diamonds and Fairtrade gold, meaning it is easily traced back to its source. They use the finest ethically-sourced gemstones and precious metals to make their jewellery, including wedding, eternity, and engagement rings. You can even create your own ring from their collection of ethically-sourced products. They also ensure that the people mining and polishing their diamonds and making their jewellery are paid a fair wage.

Another way to be ethical when choosing jewellery is to purchase from antiques or second-hand jewellers. This means these items that are preloved are being recycled and sent to another home. This will protect the environment however, you may not know exactly where the jewellery was made or the stones sourced from, so bear this in mind.

If we all begin to follow the ethical jewellery movement, we can bring blood diamonds to an end. Jewellery can easily be ethically sourced and still be just as beautiful, meaning there is no reason why we shouldn’t already be doing so.

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