Jewelry is more than just a complement to an outfit or a blatant signifier of wealth and status – it can be spiritual, and even a health-generator. These spiritual jewelry brands are harnessed with a sustainable and soulful twist, so you can benefit from your bling in more ways than one.

5 Spiritual Jewelry Brands

1. The Akola Project

Born in 2007, the Akola Project began as a sustainable model to uplift women and children in Uganda. On a trip to Uganda as part of a team building an orphanage, founder Brittany Underwood was inspired by the Ugandan women she encountered who were caring for more than ten children at a time. Brittany realized that she could do more for the children in Uganda by employing and training local women. And so, Akola was born. The project reinvests 100 percent of donations and sales to the mission.

Each unique trinket represents a single woman and a single story and at an affordable price – most under $100.

2. Asha Patel

Asha Patel jewelry is to be worn with intent. Each piece holds a spiritual blessing, be it found in a gemstone, symbol, japa mala, or number. Many of the designs are subtle and classic, while others are colorful and bawdy and truly make a statement.

3. The Neshama Project

Rachel Tratt began the Neshama Project to honor her late mother. Her goal with Neshama is to help people find meaning in their everyday lives and to connect to something greater. Neshama means “soul” or “spirit” in Hebrew, and those are exactly what her designs are meant to elevate.

The hamsa hand symbol can be found in many of Neshama’s spiritual jewelry pieces. It symbolizes the hand of God and in all faiths, it is a protective sign that brings happiness, luck, health, and good fortune to the wearer.

4. Taylor Kenney Jewelry

Taylor Kenney Jewelry perfectly unites aesthetic and spirituality with handcrafted designs. The brand uses responsibly sourced gems and metals as well as 100 percent recycled silver. Each piece captures a sentiment that empowers you each time you wear it. My favorite is the Small Ibex Necklace, which symbolizes the ability to thrive in harsh circumstances.

5. Kirsten Muenster

Kirsten Muenster prides herself in being an ethical metalsmith, using her practice as a voice to aid mining reform efforts. Her designs include ancient fossils, healing crystals, and earthy stones from such materials as fossilized fern, Botswana agate, pink tourmaline, quartz, and fossilized coral.

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Whether you have the hankering feeling that a proposal is around the corner, or you’re actually popping the question yourself, engagement season is almost here. Will you say “yes” to a conflict-free ring?

It’s that time of year again – sparkling cider, sparkling lights, and sparkling rings? It’s no coincidence that you suddenly have an influx of well-manicured hands showing off their glittering rocks. Starting around Thanksgiving and running through Valentine’s Day, there’s a phenomenon you may have noticed, and it’s known as engagement season.  

From larger than life diamonds to simple gold bands, engagement rings come in all shapes (well, mostly ring shape) and sizes. And if you’re like many soon-to-be-engaged couples, ethical and conflict-free stones, metals, and manufacturing may be at the top of your list.

According to Brilliant Earth, gold mining is believed to be one of the most environmentally destructive forms of its kind. In addition to toxic waste and global mercury pollution, it also destroys landscapes, pollutes rivers with sulfuric acid, and is partly responsible for harming the Amazon. When you purchase recycled metals, as opposed to new, then you can help combat some of these issues, without sacrificing quality or beauty.

Other factors to consider are the stones. Amnesty International reports that conflict diamonds are notorious for their illegal trade in order to fund armed conflict and civil war in Africa. Although there are systems in place to certify that the stones are ethical, both the Kimberley Process and the Clean Diamond Trade Act are said to not be well enforced or regulated by the industry. The best way to ensure that your purchase is ethical would be to concentrate on investigating at “shop level,” or really probing the individual (and reputable) retailer to get as much factual information as possible.

Fortunately, and just in time for engagement season, we’ve gathered some jewelry retailers that emphasize a conflict-free, and ethical shopping experience.

1. Brilliant Earth

This conscious company stocks a serious variety of traditional and vintage rings. With so many beautiful designs, it’s difficult to decide!

Brilliant Earth has made a name for itself as one of the most widely known online engagement ring retailers specializing in ethically made and sourced materials. Thanks to the self-regulating policy implemented, the company’s “Beyond Conflict Free Guarantee” promises its customers that the diamonds will not finance civil wars, will be free of human rights abuses, are environmentally responsible, partake in fair labor practices, and help with community development. With offerings like recycled diamonds, the use of all recycled precious metals in the jewelry, and a wide selection of vintage rings, Brilliant Earth has a variety of eco-friendly options.

2. Fair Trade Jewellery Co.

Offering a “loaner ring” to propose with, this ethical entity offers fewer choices in terms of selection, but has lots of solitaires and beautiful bands in stock.

This Canadian-based, certified B Corporation has pledged complete transparency in order to gain this recognition, including how the product is made, payment of workers, and impactful social and communal change. Additionally, Fair Trade Jewellery Co. utilizes Fairtrade certified gold, and is the second business in the world to use Fairmined certified gold. Also members of the responsible jewellery council, as well as the American Gem Society, this responsible business is going above and beyond in the environmentally and socially conscious realms.

3. Do Amore

For ethical engagement and wedding rings “that save lives” by providing a precious resource with every purchase, you’ll want to check out this business’ traditional selection.

With big hearts, and ambitions to match, this caring company uses funds from every ring purchased to “give 2 two people clean water, for life.” Not only is this a great concept, but it’s also the perfect way to do good for others by spreading the love and care you have for your significant other with those less fortunate. Sustainable down to the wood box the rings come in, Do Amore’s made in the USA jewelry uses recycled precious metals and conflict-free diamonds. Every ring helps build a water well in a developing country, which, according to the site, is directly responsible for providing two people in that community with clean water.

4. Catbird Jewelry

This trendsetting storefront offers thin, dainty engagement rings with the ability to mix, match, and stack your bands.

With a small, Brooklyn-based shop, Catbird is little in stature, but big on design. If you enjoy trendy jewelry with a unique, slightly handmade feel, this may be the perfect place to peruse for your engagement season ring. Although the company works with other talented designers, all of the rings Catbird designs are made in the Brooklyn studio with fair trade or recycled gold, and all stones are conflict-free.

Ethical rings are more prevalent than ever, but the key to finding the right one for your engagement season proposal is with lots of research and a good reputation. Looking closely at return policies and warranties help, too, especially since we don’t always get it right the first time when buying online, and you want your purchase to last a lifetime. When you forge your engagement on love and consciousness, that’s definitely something to boast about.

Is buying a conflict-free, recycled, or vintage ring important to you? How did you express that to your significant other? Share your thoughts with us on the EcoSalon Facebook page!

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The post 4 Conflict-Free (and Gorgeous!) Rings: Engagement Season is Here! appeared first on EcoSalon.

Need to infuse your jewelry box with some new baubles? We’ve got you covered. The upcoming August EcoSalon giveaway is full of beautiful pieces of jewelry that are made ethically. Want to get to know the brand that’s part of the giveaway? We’ve got you covered…

Soko empowers nearly 1,000 artisans in Kenya, using design to promote conscious style. All of Soko’s artisans create modern, ethical jewelry that is handmade from sustainable materials.

The company’s solid brass pendants and cuffs are made from metals that are salvaged, melted down, and recast into cuffs, rings, and pendants. Cow horn and bone, byproducts of the food industry, are reclaimed from the waste stream and upcycled into beads.

And all you have to do to win some of Soko’s gorgeous designs is sign up for our newsletter.

Ready to see some of Soko’s designs? We’re ready to share them. Scroll down to see the multiple prizes you could win and their values.

Pointed Cuff ($50)

This beautiful cuff was made from reclaimed brass door handles and sink faucets. Who knew something so industrial could end up so beautiful?

Horseshoe Cuff ($50)

This cuff works great as a “stackable” with the above cuff. (We know you agree that two is better than one.)

Double Pyramid Wrap Cuff ($45) 

This cuff is set off by its unique ends. While the difference is subtle, we think you’ll enjoy it. (Especially when paired with a fresh manicure.)

These earring are a dream. Each of the studs are softened to create a pillowy look.

Diamond Cloud Stud ($35)

Bow Earrings ($42)

If you like to rock an up-do, these are the earrings for you. Not an up-do gal? Let them peek out from underneath one of your favorite hats. They are simple but will show your awesome fashion sense.

Leather and Brass Applique Necklace ($75)

Have a chunky sweater? This will look quite stunning atop it. It’ll dress up any simple outfit.

Triple Strand Horn Bracelet ($70)

When you’re not layering cuffs, this is a lovely choice. It has a subtly extravagant feel.

Mulu Necklace ($70)

Deep v-necks were made for this necklace. Wear it to any autumn cocktail party and you’ll stand out.

Angle Choker ($70)

Chokers are in. All your friends will know you’re on-trend when you wear this.

Basically, all of these beautiful pieces would look amazing with any outfit.

The total value for all the prizes listed above comes to $507.

If you’re ready to enter, click over to our newsletter and sign up. And if you’re already a subscriber that’s totally cool — you’re already entered to win.

To get the skinny on Soko, visit the company’s website and social sites:

Facebook: ShopSoko
Twitter: @shop_soko
Instagram: @shopsoko

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The post Win Beautiful, Ethical Jewelry ($507 Value) and Support African Artisans appeared first on EcoSalon.

One of the things I struggle with is how to balance my love of fashion with my desire to be a socially and environmentally responsible shopper. I eschew fast fashion, choose more sustainable fabrics, but I struggle with my sustainable jewelry options. I recently went looking for more ethical jewelry choices and decided to share what I found.

Choosing to shop for ethical jewelry combines concerns about: the environmental impacts of mining and processing, the working conditions for mine workers, contributing to dictatorial regimes, the corporate monopoly of resources, the lack of economic development in mining areas, and more. No matter what your particular concern is, it is difficult to avoid the reality that jewelry creation can come at a high cost to the planet and the beings that inhabit it.

There are more ethical jewelry options out there options. Many jewelers wanting to have less of of an impact on the environment and in contributing to the conditions of peoples in mining areas, and realizing that there is a demand from consumers, have started using more ethical jewelry sourcing of raw materials. Ethical Metalsmiths is a group of jewelers who have organized and are committed to encouraging more ethical jewelry production and to educate consumers. In addition, there are campaigns to raise the profile of issues surrounding ethical jewelry, like Earthwork’s “No Dirty Gold” campaign and the Global Witness campaign to stop Conflict Diamonds.

Here is a list of amazing jewelry companies who offer more ethical jewelry options. From using recycled metals and gemstones to repurposing vintage jewelry, these jewelers have a commitment to offering lower impact jewelry choices, so consider their goods the next time you want to add a piece to your collection or you need to purchase a gift.

17 Ethical Jewelry Companies for Responsible Jewelry Shopping

1. East Fourth Street
2. Rose and Fitzgerald
3. Smart Glass Jewelry
4. Brilliant Earth
5. Alexis Russell
6. Anna Fine Jewellery
7. Honey Rosenk
8. Andrea Bonelli
9. VKeco Jewelry
10. Bario-Neal
11. Cred Jewellery
12. Nightfox Jewelry
13. Valkasinskas
14. Kara Daniel Jewelry
15. Rebecca Mir Grady
16. April Doubleday
17. Amalena

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Image: Alexis Russell

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