Have you ever wondered about the impact of your jewelry on the environment? Well, every single gold ring produced through traditional gemstone mining comes with about 20 tons of waste. That is one of the main reasons why people are now shifting towards sustainable jewelry.
This sustainable jewelry has a positive impact on the environment as it will help to reduce your carbon footprint. What’s more, its popularity has grown tremendously in the last few years. In fact, the global sustainable jewelry market is expected to reach a staggering $11.3 billion by 2033.
Read on to learn more about eco-friendly jewelry and gemstones.
The Impact of Traditional Gemstone Mining
The traditional means of gemstone mining are not sustainable at all. It comes with several costs to the environment, communities, and workers. Below are the impacts of traditional gemstone mining:
Land Destruction
Gemstones are generally located deep in the earth. So, to reach them, most traditional miners needed to dig down the earth as they searched for the gemstones. The impact of these is the destruction of land.
Imagine hundreds of acres of forests being cleared, rivers being polluted, and ecosystems being disrupted. All these with the intent to get only a handful of gemstones. The end result is soil erosion, deforestation, and water pollution.
Carbon Emission
In cases of large scale mining, there is carbon emission. This is because the traditional mining operations depend on heavy machinery that burns through fossil fuels. And that leads to carbon emission.
What does that mean? Well, for that single pair of heart-shaped gold earrings you desire, it could generate about 31 kg of carbon. That’s the same as driving a small car for 200km. The carbon emission from gemstone mining is a big contributor to the climate change we face today.
Safety Issues
Traditional gemstone mining also comes with safety issues to workers. In places, such as Madagascar, about 75% of the population is below the poverty line. So, desperate miners descend into hand-dug pits, about 15-20 meters deep without safety equipment.
This ensures that they risk their lives for gemstones, such as sapphires, which may sell for just a few dollars at local markets and thousands of dollars in high-end boutiques.
Sustainable and Ethical Sourcing
So, given that traditional ways of gemstone mining have significant impacts to the environment, communities, and workers, there is a significant need for sustainable and ethical sourcing. In fact, the best gemstone and jewelry selling companies, such as Phoenix Imports get their gemstones from suppliers who use sustainable and ethical sourcing means.
But does sustainable and ethical sourcing involve? Well, sustainable sourcing aims to ensure minimal environmental impact. It includes things like:
- Adherence to responsible land management and ecosystem preservation
- The use of water conservation techniques during mining
- Protection of biodiversity
- Land rehabilitation after mining activities
On the other hand, ethical sourcing means that gemstones should be mined in a way that respects the people and the planet. It involves things like:
- Safe working environment for miners and workers
- Fair wages and reasonable working hours
- Prohibition of child labor
- Adherence to certification schemes like the Kimberly process
How to Choose Eco-Friendly Jewelry
Business Research Insights established that eco-friendly jewelry is expected to grow at a compounded growth rate of 8.9% from 2023 to 2032. A big contributor to that growth rate is Genzs and Millenials who want to have a positive environmental impact. They desire to be accountable for their purchases.
But how do you go about choosing eco-friendly jewelry? You can do this by:
- Going for recycled metals to reduce the demand for new mining
- Choosing gemstones that are ethically sourced. You can do this by checking whether your jewelry supplier follows the Kimberly process that ensures gemstones are conflict-free. Also, check whether they have the necessary certifications, such as Fairtrade Gold or Fairmined.
- Checking whether your supplier provides transparent information about gemstone sourcing. Any company that does not provide clear information about its sourcing is a red flag.
- Going for jewelry with lab-grown gemstones, as they have minimal environmental impact.
Lab-Grown vs. Natural Gemstones
As mentioned earlier, going for lab-grown gemstones provides you with a great way of having eco-friendly jewelry. But how do the lab-grown gemstones and natural gemstones differ? And which is best?
Well, as the name suggests, lab-grown gemstones are developed in the lab. On the other hand, you’ll find natural gemstones deep on earth. Other difference differences between the two include the following:
- Natural gemstones need large-scale mining. This can lead to issues such as deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution. On the other hand, lab-grown gems are created using advanced technology in controlled environments. That ensures that they have minimal environmental impact.
- Lab-grown and natural gemstones are almost identical. You can even struggle to tell them apart. However, the lab-grown has fewer imperfections.
- Lab-grown gems are grown in the lab, which means fair labor practices are used. On the other hand, mining through traditional means often comes with labor safety issues.
- Lab-grown gems are cheaper than natural ones. This is because no mining involved in sourcing them.
- Natural gemstones have a higher resale value than the lab-grown ones. That is because of their rarity.
So which is best for you? If you value tradition, rarity, and long-term investment, natural gemstones are ideal. On the other hand, if you value sustainability, affordability, and ethical sourcing, lab-grown gemstones are ideal for you.
Either way, you’ll find stunning pieces that align with your personal style and values.
Fair Trade and Community Benefits
Fair trade practices in the eco-friendly jewelry industry ensure a positive impact on communities and the environment. For instance, they ensure that workers receive fair wages and better working conditions. This leads to better living standards and reduced poverty in mining.
In addition, fair trade-certified mining operations use sustainable practices. This helps to minimize damage to the land and water. Companies that follow these standards tend to replant trees, reduce chemical use, and ensure responsible water disposal. All these help to protect ecosystems and local communities.
What’s more, fair trade initiatives can help in community development. It advocates for the reinvestment of profits into local communities. This can be through funding projects, such as:
- Building schools and funding teacher training programs
- Constructing healthcare facilities
- Developing roads, bridges, and electricity systems
- Implementing water conservation and treatment projects
