By Anna Griffin, Editor in Chief
PC : Soko
Coming into ‘21, we’re feeling more hopeful about a new year of possibility and brighter days ahead. In the meantime we’re looking for a little sparkle and when it comes to accessorizing, what is more dazzling than gold? A timeless metallic hue that brings a little luxe to even our most basic looks, there are endless choices to give stylish, sustainably focused girls a little gilt without the guilt. The brands behind these pieces all shine brightly not only for their designs, but for their use of conscientious materials, ethical sourcing, and mindful production methods. With the protection of our planet and its inhabitants at the heart of their businesses, you can feel good about glamming up, knowing that your accessories are as good as gold.
$615 USD
Produced using recycled 14k gold and post-consumer, upcycled diamonds, these dainty, handmade, star-drop earrings have clean water, low emissions, carbon-free shipping, and eco-friendly packaging within their manufacturing. Inspired by core values of defense of the ocean and preservation of marine resources, Washed Ashore has partnerships with multiple non-profits including Save the Children, Surfrider Foundation, Amnesty International, and Color of Change, making these earrings little stars that truly shine bright.
PC: Washed Ashore
$395 USD
Employing skilled, local artisans and ensuring competitive wages while using sustainably harvested wood, ethically-sourced leather, non-toxic glues, vegetable tanning, natural embellishments, and 100% recycled packaging, Calleen Cordero has long set the gold standard in the fashion industry for her sustainable, luxury accessories. This handmade, gold-patina, studded messenger is the perfect grab-and-go purse to stay consciously chic while carrying life’s essentials.
PC: Callen Cordero
$410 USD
Wear your love around your neck with this ethically-sourced, personalized, disc necklace, handmade in recycled 14k gold by jewelry designer, Christie Martin. A longtime advocate of protecting our planet, Christie creates her pieces utilizing recycled materials, conflict-free diamonds, and eco packaging in all her designs. Working with Gobble Gobble Give, a non-profit that feeds the homeless every Thanksgiving, this is a necklace you’ll always feel good about wearing.
PC: Christie Martin
$104 USD
Dress up your “do” with this set of three barettes designed by Bayou With Love founder, Nikki Reed, and produced using recycled brass and 18k plated, recycled gold. The environment is at the heart of this lifestyle brand whose focus is on sustainable, ethical production within jewelry, apparel, home and beauty. With conscious sourcing of materials behind every beautiful piece, including gold extracted from technology through their partnership with Dell, their jewelry collections include every day favorites, bespoke pieces, and brilliant bridal rings created with carbon neutral cultivated diamonds and consciously sourced stones. Made in LA utilizing local artisans and working towards a zero waste model with the smallest carbon footprint, this is some star powered-bling with a heart of gold.
PC: Bayou With Love
$295 USD
Cast in recycled brass and gold plated, this striking cuff is cast from a cholla cactus and made in downtown LA by women for women. Laura Elizabeth has built her brand around the key components of sustainability, compassion, family, and integrity, resulting in a timeless collection of nature inspired jewelry that is created chemically-free, using ethically sourced metals with mindfulness of the ecosystem. Moldable to the wrist, this statement piece will turn heads for its striking design, as well as its stunning commitment to the environment.
PC: Laura Elizabeth
$650 USD
Handmade in LA by a skilled team of artisans who are paid competitive wages, Zoë ethically sources all of her materials including conflict-free diamonds compliant with the Kimberly Process, semi-precious stones, and 100% recycled 14-karat gold in her commitment to be environmentally focused within her jewelry line. Unique in their design, her pieces can be worn alone or layered together and are loved by eco chic celebrities including Giselle Bündchen, Jessica Alba, Miranda Kerr, and Cameron Diaz. Symbolizing hope, purity, and truth, the opal in this dainty ring is one of a kind with its own unique color combination, and is a subtle embellishment with a powerful message.
PC: Zoë Chicco
$99 USD
The Giving Keys is one of those jewelry brands that everyone should know about, and gift either themselves or someone in their world. Founded by Cailtin Crosby, the brand’s roots are in repurposing keys by hand-stamping words such as BELIEVE, DREAM, and LOVE, which are turned into necklaces encouraging the wearer to embrace their word and once complete, pay it forward by gifting it to someone who needs it more. Beyond being a brand that is continuously putting positivity into the world, they employ homeless artists through a partnership with Chrysalis, giving them an opportunity to sustainably restart their lives. No matter your personal word, this is a necklace that is always giving.
PC: The Giving Keys
$30 USD
Handmade using upcycled and vintage fabrics, this limited edition, sequin mask is so dazzling it brings life’s current safety needs into the style realm. Known as the “Green Queen,” Deborah is one of the pioneers of eco-conscious fashion and has always created her collections from upcycled deadstock or environmentally safe materials. From wedding gowns to bustiers, vegan athleisurewear to recycled cashmere, the planet’s health has always been her driving focus. Donating 10% of sales to support independent farmers through Farmer’s Footprint whose mission is to expose the human and environmental impacts of chemical farming, wearing this lets your mask do the talking.
PC: Deborah Lindquist
$78 USD
Simple yet stunning, these Bow Earrings are an open-ended silhouette in the shape of a classic arc, handcrafted in brass using traditional techniques by artisans in Kenya. Soko are a women-led, people-first ethical jewelry brand and tech-powered manufacturing platform, built to connect marginalized Kenyan artisans directly to the global marketplace. Believing that financial inclusion and economic sovereignty are the key to lasting impact and change, Soko is working towards reducing inequality and poverty, building a healthier environment, and stronger communities through the creation of high-quality jobs with dignity and purpose. This is a jewelry brand ahead of the curve.
PC: Soko
$112 USD
Handmade to order, the Caribbean Bangle is a mainstay in Caribbean cultures and a blend of Indian, African and European design. Made with fair trade African gold and conflict-free fine metals that are sourced from small-scale artisanal mines, Omi Woods’ production supports the well-being of miners and their communities by paying a fair wage and contributing to improved health care, education, safety and living conditions on the continent. Donating a portion of sales to a local or global non-profit, social organization, charity or cause each year including All One Blood and 8 Billion Trees, these stackable bangles can be worn for guilt-free, heartfelt, stylish accessorizing.
PC: Omi Woods