Sustainability

We are very conscious of the damaging impact our lifestyles are having on our fragile planet. To this end we are working towards a better business practice to reduce our impact upon the environment. This is by no means an exhausted list and we are very aware that there is always more to do.

All of our metals are recycled. There are a few manufactured components like chains, catches, earrings backs which are still from new mined metal, but their percentage of our overall metal consumption is minimal. We also offer Fairtrade gold upon request. None of the waste metal and dust is discarded. It is all carefully collected and sent to be refined into new metal.

We are steadily working towards all of our gemstones to be from fully traceable sources and those sources being supportive of local communities, workers and economies and environments . We can source gemstones specifically for you which are fully traceable and these currently make up about 40% of our general stock. Roughly 60% of our diamond usage is with Canada Mark diamonds. All of our remaining diamonds  comply with the Kimberley Process. We offer diamond alternatives such as moissanites and can offer lab created diamonds.

On a personal level travel to and from the workshop is on foot or by bicycle. This also applies to the postal runs. One of our next tasks is to reduce the carbon footprint of our shipping, either by carbon off-setting or other means.

The most recent venture has been to change the packaging . We now have boxes made from recycled board, they can also be recycled or re-used. The paper covering the boxes  is not laminated and does not have any UV finishes .  The box inserts are felt, made from British wool. The ribbon we use around the boxes is made from recycled plastic bottles. Ribbon is great for being repurposed on future gifts, so please keep it if you can. The postal boxes are made from recycled board and can be recycled and we use paper parcel tape. We use unbleached tissue paper in our mailing boxes.

We are reducing the chemicals used in the workshop. Our pickle is citric acid ( lemon juice) and is disposed of in the correct manor once depleted.

Many of our materials arrive to us in soft plastic and paper bags, these are all either re-used or sent for recycling.