The 10 Best Sustainable Jewelry Brands

With more and more consumers demanding ethical and sustainable fashion, more and more designers are working to align their products with these values — including a number of jewelry designers. Here are some of the best ethical and sustainable jewelry brands.

The 10 winners of this Green Matters Approved contest are listed below. Read more about our Green Matters Approved contests here.

All of Automic Gold's metal and most of its natural gemstones are recycled, specifically from old jewelry or electronics. The company also uses lab-made stones, white opals mined in Australia, and other natural gems sourced from small businesses across the U.S. All of Automic Gold's testing and manufacturing is done in-house. The company is best known for its size-inclusive range of 57 ring sizes.

Auvere jewelry is made in New York City and Jaipur. The company uses certified conflict-free gold and silver, as well as recycled gold and silver. Auvere's jewelry is largely eclectic yet everyday pieces, with items falling within a wide range of price points. The company also offers a large Alphabet City collection of jewelry so you can sport your initials.

Bario Neal's precious metals are either 100 percent recycled or Fairmined certified, and the company's natural diamonds are traceable and recycled. The company also uses lab-grown diamonds that are certified Sustainability Rated. One of Bario Neal's biggest draws is its "Heirloom Redesign" program, which allows customers to bring in heirloom pieces for renovation or remake.

SOKO is a Certified B Corp and women-led company that produces jewelry in Kenya. The brand's pieces feature gold-plated recycled brass, and colored jewelry made with locally sourced recycled glass. Plus, SOKO's ceramic beads are Fair Trade-certified. Note that some SOKO pieces use reclaimed horn and bone from animals.

Founded by Wing Yau, Wwake is a women-led business that prioritizes transparency and having a low environmental impact. The company uses recycled gold certified by SCS standards and Fairmined gold, as well as 100 percent natural opals from Australia. Wwake also uses recycled modern, antique, and heirloom diamonds. Plus, Wwake supports nonprofit organizations including Winnyc, Nest BIPOC Jewelry program, and Stop AAPI Hate.

FUTURA Jewelry is made with mercury-free Fairmined gold. FUTURA Jewelry is also a member of the UNEP Global Mercury Partnership, which aims to protect human health and the environment from mercury when mining. Additionally, FUTURA Jewelry is known for its handmade, sustainably harvested Rimu and Beech wood packaging from New Zealand. The company is also a partner of the Alliance for Responsible Mining.

GLDN uses 90 percent recycled metals, as well as 95 percent of materials sourced domestically and ethically. The company only works with suppliers certified by entities like the Responsible Jewelry Council. Additionally, 85 percent of GLDN's pieces are made to order, preventing excess waste. All leftovers are forwarded to a refinery where they are reused or recycled. GLDN also donates 10 percent of its profits through its Giving Program to organizations with positive social impact, such as She Should Run.

Monica Rich Kosann is a Certified B Corp that uses recycled gold and silver in its jewelry. Over 90 percent of the company's precious metals are sourced from companies certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council. Similarly, nearly 100 percent of diamonds used by Monica Rich Kosann are sourced under the Kimberley Process Certification and cut in facilities certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council. The company also repurposes used diamonds for new pieces.

AGMES uses mostly recycled metals for its jewelry and other accessories. The company also strives to use Fairmined metals and aims to use pearls (which are not vegan) from partners with Fairmined certifications. AGMES utilizes local production in New York City to minimize its environmental footprint.

Actress and entrepreneur Nikki Reed's lifestyle company BaYou with Love specializes in jewelry made from recycled metals and gems, at all different price points. Interestingly, BaYou with Love is partnered with Dell to turn e-waste into jewelry. The company sources most of its diamonds from the world's first certified carbon neutral diamond producer, Diamond Foundry.