Jewelry Sustainability, Care and Re design… The eco-friendly approach to fashion!

• bey0ndM@gz!ne
• August 29, 2018
• Fashion
• 0 Comments

What is the one sure way of being eco friendly when it comes to jewelry?

It’s to buy less and actually take care of existing pieces, so that they can be worn for generations.

One of the simplest things that a consumer can do to be eco friendly is simply to buy less.  As for making pieces last for generations…that involves buying “smart” and buying “quality”.  Once bought, if taken care of properly, these pieces do last generations.  And the possibility of redesign means you can enjoy something new made from something old.

Jewelry Care –

Believe it or not, precious jewelry and jewelry made from metals like gold, platinum, silver, brass are actually not that tough to take care of.  Unlike costume jewelry that literally finds its way into the trashcan, jewelry made from sustainable metals and gemstones do not have to.  Some pieces and gemstones do require extra care, but most good things in life do!

Plain gold and platinum jewelry is probably the easiest to take care of.  It doesn’t damage easily and is very sturdy.  Of course 24k and 22k gold will bend easily which is why many people prefer jewelry that is designed using 18k and 14k jewelry.  Apart from using a polishing cloth or getting it professionally polished occasionally, jewelry made with these two metals is very sturdy.  One can also use warm soapy water with a gentle brush to clean plain gold and platinum jewelry.  Both these metals can be re designed, added to, or completely melted to make a new piece of jewelry.

Two of the most widely used metals apart from gold that are used in the jewelry industry are silver and brass.  Both these metals tarnish quickly but a quick rub with a polishing cloth will restore the shine.  Many love brass jewelry as it is affordable and the color is close to that of gold.  Silver is even more popular in the jewelry industry due to it’s durability, malleability, and beauty.  Silver should always be stored in an anti tarnish bag, or a zip lock.  When buying silver jewelry, it is better to buy sterling silver or 925 silver jewelry, which has the highest content of silver in it.  Stering silver has lifetime value and duarbility as compared to other silver.  Many designers and jewelry will also redesign silver jewelry, or melt your old silver to make something new.

No matter which metal gemstones are set in, apart from diamonds which are the most durable, many of these gemstones will require care.  A diamond is the hardest known material known to man, so rest asured you won’t be damaging or breaking one easily.  But you do need to make sure that your diamonds are set well, and set using a metal which will hold them well.  14k gold, 18k gold and platinum are the great options.

Rubies, emeralds and sapphires though very durable can be damanged.  Even gemstones like aquamraine, peridot, citrine, garnet, onyx etc require care.  It is best not to use chemical cleaners for these gemstones. Instead many can be cleaned with warm water and a little soap.  It is always best to take your jewelry to a professional to get cleaned from time to time.  Some semi precious stones such as lapis lazuli, turquoise and coral are porous stones and damage very easily if exposed to chemicals.  Jewelry set with these stones shouldn’t be professionaly polished too often either.

Pearls are not your typical gemstones, they are a natural material, formed by a living organism.  They are highly sensitive to perfumes, chlorine and can easily get damaged.

Storage is another factor that influences the longivity of your jewelry.  Store jewelry in a flat manner and in an air tight bag. Many of the fancy jewelry boxes and stands work well for gold jewelry that has little or no reaction to the environment, but are not suitable for silver or brass.  Many of these metals also bend easily, so storing pieces seperately in individual bags and compartments is advised.

Re-designing –

The ability and willingess of designers and jewelers to redesign has added a new element to the jewelry industry.  It provides the customer with a whole new service and the jeweler with a new challenge.  In order for pieces to be redesigned though, you need to take them to either a jewelry designer, or a jewelry store that will provide a re designing service.  Like me, many independent designers provide this service not just for pieces bought from us, but also for jewelry bought from elsewhere.  Most mass produced costume jewelry cannot be re designed and usually isn’t worth the cost.  So buy smart, buy metals that can either be melted down to create something new or can be worked upon.  That way you get to enjoy a piece of jewelry you bought, in different looks over a long period of time.

Being environmentally conscious while enjoying fashion and luxury items is very doable today.  Just as the world is moving away from single use plastic, which means the end of many such production houses that make these items, jewelry consumers can direct the industry to move in an eco friendly way.  To do that, one must support companies and jewelers that are environmentally friendly.  Supporting brands that make low quality costume jewelry which honestly does very little to promote fashion or style, but definitely promotes waste, is a change consumers will have to make.  Instead support, individuality, support sustainability, support jewelry that has a conscience.

Note: All these pieces were made by re-designing and re-created using the old material which was kind of obsolete due to some reasons.

By Shikha S. Lamba, Editor BTB
Jewelry Designer and Gemologist (G.I.A)
www.shikhaslamba.com
Handcrafted fine sterling silver and gold jewelry