Green Scene

Jewelry aficionadas with a social conscious have chic options in these companies that promote fair trade and earth-friendly practices, embrace recycled materials, flaunt our raw side, help us get in touch with our inner earth mother, and benefit charitable causes in the process:

Reflective Images is a leading jewelry firm in embracing and promoting fair trade and eco-friendly practices in jewelry production and sales. This Santa Fe, New Mexico-based custom jeweler and designing jewelry manufacturer creates a range of handmade designs including its chic Celtic style jewelry, original artisan wedding bands, and latest Carousel Beads—playful collectable charms in a rainbow of colors and tribal motifs with contemporary flair. Not only does Reflective Images use 100% recycled precious metals— reducing the devastation produced by mining processes on the environment, it also seeks out gems and other materials that derive from fair trade, eco-friendly sources. In fact, it practices transparency all along the way, giving consumers an open sourcing system to trace the origin of all components in its jewelry. Moreover, its Santa Fe studio runs on green energy, and its Bali manufacturing facility operates on fair trade manufacturing and human rights principals—including safe, healthy working conditions and fair employee compensations. Company president and jewelry industry activist Marc Choyt chairs an international committee to create fair trade standards for manufacturing. He also publishes the most important online source, Google’s top-rated website on fair trade jewelry issues. In addition to publishing a free source for jewelry professionals, “The Ethical Jewelry Handbook,” he will launch this fall a free consumer e-book on purchasing ethical jewelry. Perhaps the name says it all in that the image this jeweler reflects back from its pro people and planet practices is truly remarkable—and its jewelry is pretty cool, too (http://celticjewelry.com, http://artisanweddingrings.com, http://carouselbeads.com, and http://fairjewelry.org).

Nature’s Candy Designs, eco-chic jewelry inspired by nature’s four elements, pays homage to Mother Nature—a fashionable woman in her own right. Designed to utilize the resources that tread lightly on our planet, Nature’s Candy jewelry exclusively uses recycled gold and silver, and its production technology employs fewer resources and products, contributing to less waste and more environmental protection. The “Elemental Collection”—the signature line and basis for this web-based brand—is inspired by the ancient Greek philosophers who believed that we’re all comprised of one of the earth’s elements: earth, air, fire, and water. They believed that in knowing our element, we know more about who we are and our relationship to the planet. Boasting a signature pendant depicting all four elements, as well as a collection of other designs that comprise a signature line for each element, Nature’s Candy offers sweet jewels that inspire women to identify with their inner earth mother. All pieces are convertible in that each pendant, crystal or gem accessory can be ordered with a customized clasp that easily attaches to any of the collection’s necklaces, bangles, cords, or charm bracelets—allowing for endless style combinations. All pendants are available in silver, vermeil, 14k, 18k and 22k gold (yellow, white and rose), and platinum. Pendants can be customized to include a birthstone or favorite gemstone. Moreover, a portion of the proceeds of the sale of these designs will benefit Global Green USA (http://whatsyourelement.net).

Todd Reed, at the forefront of what he calls the “raw elegance” movement, has been creating his jewelry around rough diamonds for over 15 years. This Boulder, Colorado-based designer maintains that the most perfect cut diamond is an uncut, unpolished one. His newest designs—that are organic and edgy yet stylish and chic—mix raw diamonds with rose cut and faceted diamonds for a dramatic contrast. Exclusive yet subtle, Reed’s designs for both women and men are one-of-a-kind, hand forged and fabricated from 18k gold and oxidized silver, representing everything from simple wedding bands to elaborate art brooches. The natural aspect of these raw gems gives the wearer a closer-to-the-earth, less processed aesthetic that’s more in line with an eco-friendly lifestyle. To that end, Reed also uses only recycled gold, purchases antique diamonds that bear no current environmental impact, and makes his purchasing decisions with an eye on eco-friendly components and processes. Right relationships with the earth, people and our natural and social environment are at the heart of all his decisions and the beautiful jewels he creates (http://toddreed.com).

I’m Tired, eco-friendly bracelets with a cause, are made from materials, with half of its $10 retail value benefiting a range of charities that our world is truly tired of facing. The bracelet band is made from recycled tires and its rectangular-shaped bead is recycled metal emblazed with "I'm Tired of” and the cause. "This is very personal for my sister, Carrie, and me," explains Dan Hoffman, half of the brother/sister team behind "I'm Tired." "When I was 7 and she was 10, we lost our father to heart disease at 37. As adults, we watched our stepfather unsuccessfully fight cancer. Most recently, our mother succumbed to Alzheimer's after slowly deteriorating for eight years. At some point, disease touches everyone, whether it's you or someone you love. Then, there are global issues that make us want to advocate change, things like world hunger, child abuse and animal cruelty." The bracelets are inexpensive so everyone can afford it, and the benefit to charity is significant enough to make a difference, Hoffman notes, adding that the product also had to be eco-friendly and fashionable. “The bracelets are called "I'm Tired" for two reasons—they’re made from recycled tires and everyone gets to support causes they're tired of. We want people to wear more than one and give them as gifts. That's how this effort will succeed. We could raise millions of dollars to fight the world's issues.” The first 10 causes are AIDS, Autism, Animal Cruelty, Alzheimer's, Cancer, Child Abuse, Diabetes, Global Warming, Heart Disease, and World Hunger (http://imtiredonline.com).