Your Jewelry Box

Jewelry might be small in size and appear to have a low environmental impact, but often that assumption couldn't be further from the truth. The ugly reality behind the business of making pretty things ranges from human rights abuses and violence to terrorism and outright civil war.  Precious metals, diamonds and semi-precious stones are often acquired using unregulated labor practices in unregulated mines and processed using methods that cause a high degree of environmental damage. In the worst cases, there's an even higher human cost. But if you buy and take care of your bling carefully, you can avoid human and environmental harm.

Ditch Dirty Gold

While a piece of gold jewelry may be priceless to you, the human and environmental price is infinitely more costly. Gold mining takes place worldwide, often in indigenous communities of Third World countries, and is considered one of the dirtiest businesses in the world. That's why the No Dirty Gold campaign began to raise awareness about the critically high economic, social and environmental impact of the industry. Their mantra, "The more you know, the less gold glows," accurately describes how you'll never look at a piece of gold jewelry the same way again. According to the NDG, the production of one gold ring generates 20 tons of mine waste. Gold mining uses highly toxic chemicals including cyanide, which contaminates ground water and the surrounding landscape, causes danger to miners and entire communities.

Before you buy your next shiny bauble, check No Dirty Gold's list of retailers that support more responsible gold mining, including fair treatment of laborers, healthy working conditions and methods for extracting gold with the lowest environmental impact possible. High-end retailers Cartier, Tiffany & Co. and Van Cleef & Arpels have signed up along with low to moderately-priced dealers like Wal-mart, JCPenney and QVC.

Be Cautious of Conflict Diamonds

But the ugly business of beautiful things doesn't stop there, it continues with the corrupt diamond trade that was brought to the forefront by the Leonardo DiCaprio film, Blood Diamond. The illegal trade of blood or conflict diamonds mined in African war zones fuels terrorism and civil unrest that leads to the violence and victimization of innocent lives. Luckily, many responsible retailers are passionately involved with affecting change in the diamond mining industry, such as Brilliant Earth and Green Karat. Look for certified conflict-free stones which are free from human rights abuses and violence and are produced with minimal environmental impact. Many of these diamonds are safely harvested in Canada.

Remember Recycled, Repurposed, Vintage and Antique Jewelry

Both gold and sterling silver can be recycled and reused, saving the earth from waste incurred from mining for fresh metals. Eco-designer Toby Pomeroy uses only 100% recycled gold and silver for his designs. Click here to read about more about our favorite designers. Vintage and antique jewelry is eco as it gives a second life to previously owned pieces. Look to eBay, antique stores, flea markets, thrift stores (not to mention your mother's jewelry box!) for one-of-a-kind finds. If you're in the market for bling that rhymes with cha-ching, Madison Avenue jeweler Fred Leighton carries some of the most spectacular antique and vintage jewelry in the world. Auction houses also deal heavily in fine vintage and antique jewelry that can be had at surprisingly lower costs than the retail market — there's a reason dealers go to auctions to buy inventory.

Look for Fair Trade Jewelry

Fair trade jewelry directly supports handicraft trades of people in developing countries and provides employment to an otherwise disadvantaged community. The techniques are passed down from generation to generation. Fair trade jewelry is often is made with natural, local materials, as well as repurposed metal and objects. And since the pieces are generally handmade, machinery isn't required for production, lowering the environmental impact.