15 Ethical & Sustainable Jewelry Brands For 2023
The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.
We’re always searching for ethical jewelry brands and small businesses for sustainable jewelry. We love finding local and woman-owned jewelry companies that dedicate themselves to thoughtful sourcing, fair wages, and give-back initiatives that truly have an impact. Whether it’s a thoughtful addition to our own wardrobe or a sustainable gift for our loved ones, ethical jewelry is an accessory that we can (and do) cherish for a lifetime.
We’ve rounded up our favorite sustainable jewelry brands that pair their values with a dedication to quality and style. Each one of these ethical brands does incredible work—whether it’s sustainably ending cycles of poverty through employment, upholding traditional craft techniques, or sourcing fair-mined gold and other materials, there’s a jewelry brand here that matches your values.
If you’re popping the question (or if you’ve already said yes!), check out our guide to ethical and conflict-free engagement rings.
Best Overall | Most Affordable | Best Luxury
1. Mejuri
Best For | Responsibly sourced and recycled gold
Ethics | Ethically sourced metals & stones, RJC certified responsibly sourced or recycled gold, fair labor, gives back to BIPOC & nonbinary communities
Price Range | $30 (single stud) – $4400 (diamond choker)
Mejuri doesn’t want you to just wear your fine jewelry on special occasions; the brand wants you to wear it every day. Shop here for rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets handcrafted by specialty jewelers in Italy, India, South Korea, and more—without the traditional luxury markups. The materials include cultured freshwater pearls, genuine mineral stones, and diamonds that are ethically sourced from suppliers who follow conflict-free practices. And did we mention it’s all gorgeous? See our honest Mejuri review for more!
2. Aurate
Best For | Fine jewelry with no markups
Ethics | Ethical working conditions, seventh-generation artisans, sustainably sourced, conflict-free, & recycled materials, gives back to various causes
Price Range | $40 (gold hinge huggie earrings) – $18,000 (diamond bezel tennis necklace)
Born out of NYC, Aurate crafts the delicate, stunning gold jewelry (including engagement pieces) that we love, made with 100 percent recycled gold! Inspired by NYC icons—think historic building doorknobs and the Brooklyn Bridge—the sustainable pieces in this collection come with flair and style, making this line perfect for the modern woman. Crafted by seventh-generation craftspeople (yes, seven), you know you’ll look and feel your best flaunting Aurate. You’ll rise to the gold standard in every way.
3. SOKO
Best For | Kenyan artisan-made pieces
Ethics | Certified B Corp, artisan empowerment through globally connected technology, fair trade practices, upcycled & sustainable materials
Price Range | $38 (stud earrings) – $228 (collar necklace)
Fair trade jewelry brand SOKO works with artisans, helping them to build businesses, improve production capacity, and sustainably increase income. Using SOKO’s mobile tools, Kenyan artisans have access to consumers, orders, and payments, and can expand their businesses and entrepreneurial endeavors (and SOKO artisans earn 5X more than the average maker in Kenya). This ethical jewelry collection includes a stunning range of classics and luxury pieces. Inspired by architecture and traditional tribal designs, SOKO’s line has a strong yet minimal aesthetic that eludes to its origins.
4. Brilliant Earth
Best For | Conflict-free gemstones
Ethics | Certified Carbonfree®, sustainable packaging, traceable diamonds, recycled precious metals, gives back to various causes
Price Range | $75 (studs) – $79,950 (diamond necklace)
Brilliant Earth has a history of ethical and sustainable practices, making them a TGT go-to for when we really want to splurge on a piece of jewelry. The brand was one of the first jewelers to provide traceability of a diamond’s origin and ownership, and to offer blockchain-enabled diamonds at scale— you won’t have any trouble tracing the provenance of your Brilliant Earth diamonds. Their provenance claims for natural diamonds, recycled gold, and recycled diamonds are independently audited and verified, so you know you’re getting the real deal!
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5. Catbird
Best For | Dainty pieces for layering
Ethics | Ethical production in Brooklyn, recycled gold & diamonds, conflict-free stones, gives back via giving fund
Price Range | $14 (earrings) – $12,600 (diamond engagement ring)
The woman-owned and -operated brand Catbird makes its jewelry entirely in-house at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. With more than 40 fairly paid jewelers and artisans on-site, the team crafts dainty, delicate, and stunning pieces of jewelry for everyday wear and beyond, as well as stocking other artisan jewelry like engagement and wedding rings. All pieces use recycled gold and conflict-free, responsibly sourced stones. Plus, the Catbird Giving Fund donates one percent of all sales (not just profits!) to organizations like the ACLU and the Food Bank of New York City.
6. GLDN
Best For | Personalized jewelry and modern heirlooms
Ethics | Handmade, 90% recycled materials, donates 10% profits, 85% pieces are made to order
Price Range | $16 (single charm) – $350 (personalized signet ring)
GLDN is a TGT fave for personalized pieces that celebrate the one you love with classic and timeless symbols (think birth flowers, zodiac constellations, or monograms). With a committment to both affordability and sustainability, the brand offers almost all of its pieces in recycled silver, gold fill, rose gold fill, or solid gold options. Whether you love dainty, everyday pieces or an heirloom-quality piece with sentimental meaning, you’ll find something you’ll love at GLDN.
7. Etsy
Best For | Customizable, one-of-a-kind finds
Ethics | Powered by renewable energy, sustainable & upcycled finds, carbon-offset shipping
Price Range | Varies with seller
Etsy is the place to go if you’re looking for something really unique that also supports small businesses. While it can feel a little overwhelming to hunt through the large marketplace, a little patience can have a huge payoff if you’re looking for something truly special. Everything from diamond heirloom jewelry to handmade artisan pieces from non-traditional materials can be found here; we love the engaging sellers who will work with us to get our order exactly right. Bonus: shops are based worldwide, and Etsy offers carbon-offset shipping!
8. Cuyana
Best For | Versatile pieces
Ethics | Artisan production in NYC, recycled metals & natural stones, Lean Closet initiative
Price Range | $58 (earring embellishment) – $498 (double chain necklace)
We’ve long admired Cuyana’s philosophy of “fewer, better.” Instead of focusing on mass production and poor quality, Cuyana’s team sources out the best materials, makers, and designs for its timeless pieces. Its new line of jewelry is simple yet chic enough to wear day-to-day from the 9-5 hours to happy hours; you can pick up interchangeable embellishments like pearls and rose quartz to swap out as needed on hoops, too. Elevate any look effortlessly.
9. ABLE
Best For | Affordable jewelry
Ethics | Female artisan-made, fair wages & working conditions, responsibly sourced materials, lifetime guarantee for repairs & replacements
Price Range | $25 (stacking ring) – $100 (toggle pearl necklace)
ABLE creates sustainable business opportunities for women in Nashville who have overcome adversity. The brand believes that generational poverty ends when people can provide for themselves and, by empowering women, entire families and communities are uplifted. All of the jewelry pieces are made in-house using responsibly sourced and recycled materials from small-scale vendors offering fair wages and working conditions. ABLE is our one-stop shop for affordable jewelry and accessories.
10. QALO
Best For | Silicone rings
Ethics | Gender-inclusive, recycling program, pledge to diversity across the company
Price Range | $14 (stackable rings) – $40 (designer collaboration special edition rings)
Founded by two adventurers, QALO makes silicone rings that can handle the outdoors (without causing environmental harm!). Made of medical-grade silicone, this material is more inert than plastic and won’t leach harmful chemicals into water or the environment, and it’s ocean-safe and not toxic for wildlife. They come in a wide range of designs and materials (including metallic finishes!) and have a collection that is engraveable. QALO will also take your old silicone to make recycling a breeze: Send them any silicone-based product– one of theirs or otherwise– and they will recycle it for you.
11. Made by Mary
Best For | Every day chains you won’t want to take off
Ethics | Ethically sourced, fair wages, woman-founded, some made-to-order pieces
Price Range | $10 (enamel pin)–$300 (solid 14K gold chain necklace)
With over 40,000 five-star reviews, you know we had to check out Made by Mary. These thoughtful, beautiful pieces are artisan-made and so light and lovely, most customers report never wanting to take them off. So the brand created an option to make it permanent! Book an appointment in their Bluffdale, Utah studio to have the links of your favorite Made by Mary chain welded together in lieu of a traditional clasp. Or, go the traditional route with ready-to-ship pieces that are so comfortable you’ll forget you’re wearing them––until someone stops you to compliment them!
12. Nisolo
Best For | Brass pieces
Ethics | Certified B Corp, Climate Neutral Certified, artisan-made, living wages, ethical production, upcycled brass
Price Range | $20 (bracelet) – $60 (brass collar necklace)
Nisolo collaborates with local artisans in Peru, Mexico, and Kenya in the creation of its exquisite jewelry collection. From design to production, the Nashville-based brand provides better-than-fair wages and working conditions for its employees. Nisolo isn’t only committed to producing beautiful, timeless products; the certified B Corp promises respect and dignity for its employees (and the environment!). For gorgeously designed well-made jewelry that won’t break the bank, shop here.
13. Ten Thousand Villages
Best For | Global handmade pieces
Ethics | Fair Trade Federation member, artisan-made, responsibly sourced & sustainable materials
Price Range | $5 (ring) – $175 (pendant)
For over 75 years, Ten Thousand Villages has been a pioneer of the fair trade movement. The company has laid the groundwork for sustainable change in over 30 low-income countries through empowerment and employment opportunities. Jewelry is created by independent small-scale artisan groups, co-ops, and workshops. The pieces are crafted with love using local materials and time-honored skills. Ten Thousand Villages is also our go-to for affordable, handmade gifts from around the world.
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14. APSE
Best For | Updated classics
Ethics | Made-to-order production in Washington, recycled metals & responsibly sourced stones, repair & recycling program, gives back to various causes
Price Range | $40 (stacker ring) – $280 (oversized chain)
APSE’s jewelry is all about self-exploration and honoring everyone’s humanity—from the maker to the wearer. Following a made-to-order model, every piece is handmade in Bellingham, WA, using recycled and responsibly sourced materials. APSE will also repair, clean, or recycle your pieces as needed—and the recycling program offers you credit towards a new piece! We’re big fans of how intentional, unique, and fun APSE’s collections are, from chunky gold rings to birth month necklaces.
15. Omi Woods
Best For | African-inspired gold jewelry
Ethics | Ethical working conditions, fair trade gold & conflict-free metals, fair wages, gives back, carbon-neutral shipping
Price Range | $70 (stud earrings) – $267 (coin necklace)
Inspired by her grandmother Doreen Salmon and the African diaspora, Ashley Alexis McFarlane launched Omi Woods as a line of contemporary heirloom jewelry to honor their culture. The fair trade African gold is sourced from small-scale artisanal mines dedicated to fair wages and labor, and all fine metals are conflict-free; the supply chain is intentional every step of the way. Omi Woods’ stunning line of necklaces, earrings, and even anklets are rich, full of meaning, and a thoughtful gift to pass on to future generations.
