How better to appreciate the beauty and majestic elegance of the creatures, rocks and precious metals that share Earth with us than turn their remains into gorgeous, wearable masterpieces? The following eco jewelry makers have taken  inspiration from natural stones, animal bones and organic shapes, combining them with recycled metals to create striking and sustainable pieces.  From bold statement pieces to simple and casual accessories, these jewelry collections demonstrate the amazing variety and platforms for creativity that natural materials provide for making modern tribal  jewelry.

Jennifer Trask
This New York-based jewelry artist creates pieces that give a glamorous new life to the bones and teeth of animals. Each piece is hand carved to precision, and assembled into a stunning piece of jewelry that beautifully marries baroque-style detailing with the raw concept of a living being’s supportive structure. Trask combines carved natural materials such as tusks, antlers, bones and teeth with elegant detailing in the form of diamonds and vintage for a truly regal art piece.

Kirsten Muenster
Kirsten Muenster’s philosophy of eco jewelry making lies in “finding beauty in the unexpected.” She creates one-of-a-kind modern heirlooms featuring materials such as fossilized walrus tusk, betel nuts and stones sourced from small, family-owned mines. Muenster also uses 100% recycled precious metals and other repurposed materials, making sure to carefully research the origins of each artifact. Her work demonstrates quality, fine craftsmanship and longevity as each piece carries a unique but timeless appeal. Muenster’s work is substantial but simple, as demonstrated by her combination of clean, minimalist lines and raw, organic elements.

Natalie Frigo
Natalie Frigo is a maker of heirloom jewelry pieces and believes in offering wearable, unique and timeless pieces that will stay with their owners forever. Frigo is constantly inspired by nature, and hand-casts organic forms for creating her exquisite necklaces, earrings, bracelets and rings.  All of the stones and gemstones used in her work are ethically sourced, and the precious metals are recycled. The venerable yet raw essence of her work is contemporary, but will stand the test of time.

Monique Pean
Monique Pean’s pieces are recognized as luxury, eco-friendly jewelry and are known for the use of unique materials and avant-garde designs. Although distinctive and bold, Pean’s pieces are wearable and pair up perfectly with the latest fashions (or with jeans and a tee). Made from 100% recycled metals and sustainably sourced feature pieces like conflict and devastation-free diamonds, eco gemstones and locally sourced, eco-friendly fossilized woolly mammoth and walrus ivory. As a member of the No Dirty Gold campaign, supporter of Too Precious to Wear and a contributor to charity:water and Partners in Health, Monique Pean is truly committed to philanthropic sustainability.

Images: Jennifer Trask, Kirsten Muenster, Natalie Frigo, Monique Pean

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Since the beginning of time we have had an innate connection to adorning ourselves with the beautiful objects we find in our forests, deserts, river bottoms and seasides. The following natural jewelry makers are taking inspiration from the detailed work of our ancestors, creating modern but sustainable pieces that bring our Earth’s often overshadowed objects into the limelight. Ranging from simple and wearable to ornate and artistic, these jewelry makers are demonstrating the impressive versatility of our precious raw materials.

Third Eye Pinecones

Santa Cruz-based Third Eye Pinecones makes emblematic, organic jewelry from the center of the world’s densest pinecone, the Knobcone Pine, which can only reproduce post-forest fires. These incandescent and talismanic pieces are all lovingly handcrafted and many are inlaid with a wide variety of crystals and fossils such as sustainably obtained butterfly wings. Third Eye Pinecones also works in partnership with conservational foundation American Forests with their own “buy a cone, plant a tree” seed-harvesting and replanting scheme whereby 1-3 trees are planted per pendant sold.

Mr. Lentz

Mr. Lentz is a Colorado based crafty cowboy that has taken woodworked natural jewelry to the next level. Sustainable harvesting and production are the cornerstone of Mr. Lentz’s pieces, which are made from solid wood and naturally preserved plants. His unisex rings and pendants are carefully handcrafted, representing Mr. Lentz’s philosophy of “capturing the beauty of Mother Nature without harming her.” Inspired by the beauty of California’s Redwood Forests, these pieces truly convey the beauty of those magnificent trees in wearable form.

Jacomin van der Donk

Jacomin van der Donk is a jewelry designer that allows nature to flow into her designs with endless and unexpected ease, resulting in interesting pieces that give a completely new life to varying natural objects. Twigs, stones, goat hair, antlers and other found objects combine in jewelry that not only is wearable, but stands out as a truly unique piece of art. A modern take on the body adornment creations of our ancestors, these pieces embody an intriguing juxtaposition of raw nature and refined design. As the designer states, “I try to bridge the material world and the life source that energizes it.“

Sarah Hood

Sarah Hood is a jewelry artist who creates pieces ranging from wearable limited editions treasures to sculptural art pieces displayed in galleries. Her work tactfully displays the sculptural and detailed beauty of natural materials and objects, as demonstrated in her Organic Collection. Constantly drawing inspirations from the natural world, Hood brings a distinct elegance to each dimension of a necklace, ring or earring she creates, giving new life to many, too easily discarded natural materials.

Images: Third Eye Pinecones, Mr. Lentz, Jacomin van der Donk, Sarah Hood

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