These conscious brands offer sustainable jewelry made in Japan

Have you seen the 2006 movie Blood Diamond with Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Connelly and Djimon Hounsou? Gems, precious stones and rare metals have been the source of beauty as much as misery, creating violent competition and destroying nature. Now, efforts are underway to ensure we can choose our jewelry with a clean-conscious approach.

Ethical vs Sustainable Jewelry

“Ethical jewelry” refers to pieces fairly produced and traded without child labor, poor working conditions in mines and other harmful practices that affect people. The Kimberly Process, for example, is an international framework established in 2003 to prevent the flow of conflict diamonds.

On the other hand, “sustainable jewelry” minimizes environmental burdens by using eco-friendly materials and practices. These include recycling gold and silver and lab-grown diamonds, which reduces the need for more mining and thus protects nature. Synthetic gemstones use the same ingredients as natural gemstones.

Gypphy is the first brand in Japan to offer synthetic moissanite, initially discovered in meteorites but since artificially reproduced, that resembles diamonds. Refined metals are harvested from discarded home appliances – urban mines – for which a certification scheme has been established in Japan.

Japan’s sustainable jewerly brands

cofl by 4℃ offers affordable jewelry ranging from $45 to $200. Some are made by recycling metals from mobile phones and PCs. Others are lab-grown diamonds. Sustainable packaging is made of recycled papers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), milk cartons and fabric that meets the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment standards.

Hasuna is the first in Japan to receive certification in 2014 from the Responsible Jewellery Council ensuring transparency in the supply chain of the global jewelry and watch industry, covering diamonds, gold and platinum. Hasuna uses, among others, recycled gold and recycled bullion for platinum. It also repairs and remakes jewelry to prolong its life.

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Prmal produces jewelry crafted with lab-grown diamonds by seasoned artisans in Yamanashi Prefecture, the center of jewelry making in Japan. Prices range from $100 to $3,000, and international shipping is available.

For this year’s holiday season, I will aim for these guilt-free and purse-friendly gifts. I will also recycle all metal products from home – who knew that they could be so beautiful in their next reincarnation?