THE JOURNAL
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by sustainability buzzwords. With climate anxiety at an all-time high, an overwhelming awareness of our personal footprint and the sheer amount of advice on how to “buy better”, it has become something of a daunting concept for our generation. But, as another Earth Day comes around, it’s clear as day that being mindful of our impact on the planet – and the people around us – is more important than ever before.
Lofty words, indeed. So, what does this actually mean in the world of jewellery? From stone mining to gold refining, the market could be perceived as everything but environmentally conscious. Thankfully, there are a number of brands that are hard at work to create a brighter future by putting authentic ethical and environmental action at the forefront of their design and business vision.
Whether it’s Seb Brown’s everyday pieces, made in the brand’s Melbourne studio with a no-waste philosophy using suppliers within a one-block radius, or Elhanati’s meaningful designs, crafted locally from recycled gold and stones sourced from conflict-free zones, we’re proud to stock them at MR PORTER – just read on.
01.
Seb Brown
Inspired by painting, sculpture and his former work in graphic design, Melbourne-based, self-taught jeweller Mr Seb Brown crafts unisex pieces with a no-waste philosophy. This means using recycled materials wherever possible, minimising waste and carbon output, championing local talent and giving back to the community.
“Almost all of our suppliers are within a one block radius, reducing the need for freight and packaging,” Brown says. “We make to order to combat oversupply, and we custom make the majority of our pieces so they are perfectly suited to the wearer. We encourage in-store pickups from our showroom, which is centrally located and accessible via public transport, and donate a portion of our proceeds to various charities Australia wide.”
Some of our favourite pieces include the brand’s pendant necklaces and multi-stone rings.
02.
Healers Fine Jewelry
The brainchild of Ms Anaïs Rheiner and Mr Thibaud Etcheberry, Healers Fine Jewelry designs wearable, everyday pieces that are intended to bestow serenity, inner strength and positivity upon their wearers. The Paris-based brand has been committed to a responsible approach to production since its inception. All its pieces have been made locally in its studio from recycled 18-karat gold, while the gemstones have been sourced in Zimbabwe from independent miners – half of whom are women – who specialise in shallow excavating, to avoid damaging the soil.
“Committing to a responsible environmental output was not even a question for Healers,” Etcheberry says. “We knew we wanted to offer a variety of stones and pieces of fine jewellery that would not be mass-produced. Sourcing the desired stones is challenging, but we strongly believe this is the best way to prevent environmental damage and to help women’s financial independence in the country.”
03.
Elhanati
Founded in Copenhagen in 2011, Elhanati is rooted in Ms Orit Elhanati’s Danish, Greek and Israeli heritage. No two pieces are ever the same – each design is handmade in the brand’s Copenhagen atelier using 18-karat recycled gold and traditional craftsmanship techniques such as hammering, burning and dropping, which create that unique, uneven texture the label has become known for.
“As a company we are proud to support the local economy and craftsmen, and minimise our impact on the planet,” Elhanati says. “One of the reasons why I love working with gold is that it’s timeless, and something to be passed on to the next generation. It’s an investment for the consumer, and the pieces are something you carry with you for years to come.”
The gemstones and diamonds, too, are ethically sourced by local partners in conflict-free zones and undergo strict certification processes that adhere with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
04.
Spinelli Kilcollin
Spinelli Kilcollin was established in 2010 by the husband-and-wife duo Mr Yves Spinelli and Ms Dwyer Kilcollin out of their garage in Los Angeles. Their first collection of stackable Galaxy rings was so in-demand that the brand has since expanded into necklaces, bracelets and earrings. Each piece – designed with the same interlocking construction that has garnered the brand such popularity – is handmade in its studio in LA’s jewellery district using repurposed solid 18-karat gold, 925 silver or platinum and diamonds and stones that are sourced through respected suppliers in adherence with the Kimberley Process and World Diamond Council System of Warranties.
Spinelli Kilcollin’s commitment to comprehensive social responsibility is at the heart of its modus operandi: “We have created our .925 Collection, whose sales proceeds go to social justice organisations that we actively support, including Marsha P. Johnson, Common Cause, Sunrise Movement, Planned Parenthood, Downtown Women’s Center, and ACLU,” say the brand’s founders. “We also provide annual donations to the Diamond Development Initiative, which seeks to promote a responsible, sustainable and ethical diamond industry that benefits artisanal miners and their communities.”