Ethical Gold Jewelry Brands

If you’re looking to add some flair to your wardrobe but want to stick to ethical brands, you might not know where to start. 

Below, we list the top ethical jewelry brands that offer jewelry with fairtrade gold and ethically-sourced, conflict-free gems. 

Temple of the Sun

Australian brand Temple of the Sun (based in Byron Bay) was launched in 2014 by Yonna Derofe and Darren Gallant  as a business that builds on beauty and the love of adventure. Its jewelry is inspired by contemporary design and ancient European symbology to create pieces that are beautiful, unique, and timeless. The designs are influenced by Yonna’s experiences growing up in the rich cultural influence of Istanbul, including contemporary motifs influenced by art, handcraft, and nature. 

Jewelry is created with sustainably sourced sterling silver; gold pieces are plated with 2.5 micron 18k gold vermeil. These hand-finished pieces are polished, tumbled, and completed with soft-brushed textures. 

Temple of the Sun is a sustainable business and aims to keep these practices up-to-date; additionally, brand production partners are certified for their social and environmental responsibility.

Mejuri

Mejuri is an ethical jewelry brand based in Toronto, Canada that creates beautiful fine jewelry for everyday wear. The brand believes in diversity, equality, inclusion, and sustainability, and shows it through their work with communities, their supply chain, and teams. Mejuri CEO and co-founder Noura Sakkijha believes that when women are empowered to lead, they empower those around them; Mejuri’s mission is to empower the next generation of leaders and promote collaboration, fairness, and equality, and it frequently donates and pledges scholarships to communities in need. 

Mejuri uses fair labor and ethically sourced, fair trade metals, gems, and stones. Diamonds are conflict-free and cultured pearls come from freshwater mussels and oysters; additionally, gold pieces are either 14 karat gold (which won’t oxidize or discolor and is more scratch resistant than 18 k gold) or 18 karat gold vermeil (2.5 microns) on sterling silver. 

Mejuri wants to avoid marking up their luxury pieces like many other brands do, so it works to make luxury accessible. Its gorgeous pieces -- rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces -- are handcrafted by jewelers around the world (India, Italy, Thailand, and South Korea) and produced in small quantities to ensure the highest quality.

Stone and Strand

NYC-based Stone and Strand creates handcrafted, quality, fine jewelry that is ethically sourced and conflict free -- without the luxury mark-up. 

Stone and Strand CEO and founder Nadine McCarthy Kahan launched the brand in 2013 and aims to support and empower women by partnering with female artists and non-profits that share its values. 

Stone and Strand uses ethically sourced, solid gold and 100% conflict-free diamonds and recyclable packaging to keep true to their sustainable brand.

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is ethical and sustainable jewelry?

 Ethical and sustainable jewelry doesn’t result in a negative impact on the individuals making it and doesn’t negatively impact the environment since the jewelry is made with fair-trade materials and conflict-free gems. 

What is the difference between fairtrade gold and recycled gold? 

Fairtrade gold ensures that small-scale miners are paid a fair wage for their work and allows consumers to support these businesses and fair practices. 

Recycled gold comes from gold mined from sources mixed with other natural materials or being broken down after made into something else.