THE RISE OF LUXURY AND FINE
SUSTAINABLE JEWELRY
No Longer a Fad, Sustainability Is Front and Center
Shopping for jewelry is an experience that always boils down to personal choice, with trends, price, and design as the leading influence on a purchase. Nowadays, sustainability has become an increasingly popular consideration in the jewelry shopping experience thanks to the power of search as consumers educate themselves about more earth-friendly choices. Fast fashion is one of the largest contributors to unethical labor practices and promotion of overconsumption. And with so many options in the market, consumers have learned that a better, more wallet-friendly, choice over the long-term involves making decisions that create less impact on the environment. Many of these considerations factor in brands that use recycled or responsibly sourced materials, to reduce the carbon footprint normally associated with production, and ethical practices ensuring fair labor.
At Arleo Collection, sustainability means responsibly creating jewelry from materials that are made to last. Using consciously sourced 18k gold-plated sterling silver and ethically-sourced gemstones in all of their jewelry, ensures durability and wearability.
Founder Bina Bhatt shares, “I designed my jewelry using precious metals, which offer a longer lifespan; and the materials are responsibly sourced, making them a wonderful option for my customers to wear and enjoy for many years. I also believe that sustainable jewelry transcends trends. As someone who values and understands the importance of ethical labor practice and good environmental practices, it was a non-negotiable to explore all avenues that I can to create less waste and to give more attention to procuring sustainable materials and partners when creating pieces for Arleo Collection.”
Classic, yet bold designs maximize versatility and longevity, allowing them to be passed onto the next generation, wearable for multiple occasions.
The Juliette Earrings, for instance, are a twist on the classic hoop. The double-hoop design is crafted with a custom lattice motif, nodding to a traditional pattern; but boasts sharp, geometric features that not only catch the light beautifully, but also creates impact. They can also be unhooked to be worn separately or together - like two earrings in one!
RESPONSIBLE PARTNERS ARE KEY
One way more jewelry brands are moving towards sustainable practices is by partnering with the Responsible Jewellery Council, the world’s leading certification organization that focuses on setting the standards for better sustainability practices. The Responsible Jewellery Council brings together over 1900 companies of all sizes from all over the globe, across the jewellery supply chain - from mining to retail, playing a crucial role in promoting responsible practices and ethical standards.
Arleo Collection is one of those companies moving in this direction, with each piece created using consciously sourced 18k gold-plated sterling silver and genuine gemstones and is crafted in a Responsible Jewellry Council certified factory. “When I was looking for sustainable manufacturing partners, it was really important to me to find a partner that has fair labor practices and offers responsibly sourced materials. One of the ways I was able to narrow down our partner was by looking through the Responsible Jewellery Council website. All of RJC partners meet certain criteria such as meeting regulations for business requirements, ensuring safe and ethical working environments, and also ensuring safe environmental practices,” says Bina.
“Once I had found the right partner to work with I was also able to ensure through our working relationship that they met certain other sustainability checkmarks such as compliance with regulatory requirements, responsible practices within their supply chain, and environmental performance.”
BECOMING THE INDUSTRY STANDARD
For many environmental enthusiasts, sustainable jewelry is not a passing fad, but a necessary shift in the industry. As consumer awareness and education continues to grow, the demand for more sustainable and ethical jewelry brands is projected to increase exponentially. Jewelry brands will be expected to continue managing and upholding their sustainable standards, and offering complete transparency with their customers on pricing, sourcing, and manufacturing. Looking ahead, further sustainable industry innovations in production, with materials, and in the design process, will be the compelling factor that shifts a customer’s decision from window shopping to buying.
To learn more about Arleo Collection,
please visit ArleoCollection.com
To learn more about Responsible Jewellery Council, please visit responsiblejewellery.com