Today’s topic is ethical jewelry manufacturing. Why is it important? What does is really mean in terms of how your jewelry collection is made. There are a lot of designers and brands using the phrase “ethically produced” or “ethical jewelry” and it is good to see that is becoming as important to jewelry brands and retailers as it is to us at Spokes Jewelry. But too often it’s a meaningless phrase and not backed up by any real standards. So we’re going to go over some of the ethically driven decisions we make in our jewelry factory. Do they resonate with you? Do you ask your manufacturer about these aspects of your jewelry collection?
Metals & Alloys
Let’s start with the basics. Jewelry is made of gold, platinum or silver. But where has this come from? Is it freshly mined with the environmental concerns that arise or is it made from newly refined but effectively recycled gold? At Spokes Jewelry Services, our gold is never newly mined and always comes from refined pure gold that has been recycled. How about the alloys? Alloys are the remaining metals that make up the casting. For example; If 24K gold = pure gold (100% gold) then 18K gold = 18/24 = 75% pure gold. The remainder is 25% alloy. The alloys make the jewelry piece harder-wearing and give it its color. Our alloys are guaranteed to be 100% recycled, sourced from a US based industry leader and with their written commitment that there are no toxic or heavy metals. This means no lead, no cadmium and no barium for example.
Gemstones & Diamonds in Ethical Jewelry
Maybe you’ve heard about the Kimberley Process that ensures traceability in the diamond industry so that you can feel confident that the diamonds in your jewelry collection are not blood diamonds and produced by unethical or immoral means. Have you asked your jewelry manufacturer if they subscribe to the Kimberley Process? Sadly other gemstones do not have such a solid and widely understood process but we can still request that gemstones of certain origins are not used. An example would be Burmese rubies. Many end customers do not want to politically support certain countries by buying their gemstones. Does your jewellery manufacturer use protected corals or ivory? No reputable jewelry manufacturer would agree to use these gemstones in their fine jewelry production. At Spokes Jewelry we work closely with our gemstone cutters and dealers and conduct spot checks to ensure origin.
Subcontracting Jewelry Production
Does your jewelry manufacturer outsource your production? And if so, to whom? You feel good about their standards but once it leaves their building can you feel equally confident in an anonymous 3rd party supplier? Now what stones, alloys and working conditions contributed to your jewelry brand? Your jewelry production company should keep your pieces in-house unless specifically stated otherwise.
Employee Working Conditions
We have many truly amazing craftsmen and artisans working in the jewelry industry today. Spokes Jewelry is specifically located here in Thailand because of the depth & range of skills in jewelry production. And it has been a hub for fine jewelry production for generations. We love our production team and provide very competitive wages, health and life insurance, a safe and happy working environment, and a generous benefits package. Have you asked your manufacturer how they treat their employees? Are the people working to bring your jewelry designs to life being treated fairly? A good jewelry manufacturing partner will be open. And they’ll be able to discuss how they treat their team.
Ethical Jewelry Production
But wait……my brand also cares about other jewelry production issues. Exactly! Your brand is a reflection of your values. And having a manufacturing partner who understands these and then supports them is key. Before you give them an order, check that your values align.
