Gift Guide:
Gorgeous (and sustainable!) Jewelry
Since the beginning of time, man has been adorning himself with jewelry, passing pieces from generation to generation. As we all know—our rings and necklaces can be potent symbols of moments in our lives and people we love, which makes them one of the most reliably wonderful gifts ever. More and more are embracing kinder methods where artists turn to recycled metals, vintage items, ethically sourced stones, and artisan workers to create both fine and everyday pieces—and, as contributing editor JEN SMITH underlines, what's better than that?
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Polly Wales
Polly Wales' rings are things of wonder: The naturally placed stones make each piece one-of-a-kind.
Catbird, $2,310 -
Samma
The graphic shape of this Hi-Rise Cut-Out ring by Samma looks amazing when grouped with other, similar pieces: It makes for the perfect, modernist stack.
Totokaelo, $84 -
Pamela Love
It-girl artist and designer Pamela Love continues to bewitch with her brave, tribal-inspired designs.
Mona Moore, $550 -
Jacquie Aiche
Jacquie Aiche's aptly named "Candy Rings" are made of labradorite, lapis, moonstone, tourmaline, and quartz .
Jacquie Aiche, $415 -
James Colarusso
These gorgeous hunks of softy faceted brass are perfect for both sexes.
James Colarusso, $565 -
Adina Mills
There is nothing remotely subtle about this wearable art ring.
Maryam Nassir Zadeh, $179 -
Love Adorned
In both the brick and mortar Love Adorned store and also online, shop owner Lori Levin carries a variety of antique finds, including this romantic hand-engraved rose gold chalcedony ring.
Love Adorned, $360 -
Andy Lifschutz
A cobalt blue quartz is mounted on this show stopper (made from from reclaimed bronze)—it's then stamped with a coin dating from 250 BC.
Andy Lifschutz, $368 -
Odette NY
Ancient mythologies and artifacts are current inspiration for designer Jennifer Sakilahti's collection.
Myth & Symbol, $138 -
Dirty Librarian Chains
Every piece of jewelry in Susana Domelsmith's line is made of at least 80% vintage material.
Dirty Librarian Chains, $40
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Melissa Joy Manning
Melissa Joy Manning's earrings are hand wrought in recycled gold and silver and then studded with sustainably sourced sapphire, pearl and lavender agate.
Melissa Joy Manning, $5,000 -
Andy Lifshutz
Rock out with starbust earrings made from rose silver, an alloy made from reclaimed silver and copper.
Of A Kind, $98 -
Alexis Russell
Russell accomplishes a feminine, delicate-yet-rough mix in these earrings made of recycled mixed metals and raw diamonds.
Alexis Russell, $265 -
Lou Zeldis
Designer Lou Zeldis—who sadly passed away recently—combed beaches for stones from his travels and fashioned them into these naturally stunning pieces.
Love Adorned, $1,300 -
A Peace Treaty
Farah Malik, a Pakistani Muslim, and Dana Arbib, a Libyan Jew, create an "evolving" collection of artisan-crafted, ethically produced pieces celebrating disappearing traditions. You can read their compelling story here.
A Peace Treaty, $160 -
Suzannah Wainhouse
Earthy and sexy, Suzannah Wainhouse's jewelry focuses on one-of-a-kind adornments. This one is in kyanite and brass.
Beautiful Dreamer, $485 -
Monique Pean
Monique Pean uses tiny white diamonds and sustainable amber buffalo horn: Even the hooks are 18K recycled gold.
Barneys.com, $1,110 -
Lulu Frost
Fashion darling Lisa Salzer reworks vintage jewelry into stellar one-of-a-kind pieces for her much-loved Lulu Frost line.
Lulu Frost, $900 -
Jennifer Fisher
Jennifer Fisher's super cool eponymous line has expanded to include non-precious metals like brassand silver, which she crafts into pretty stunning statement pieces.
Barneys, $400 -
Rent the Runway
What could be more sustainable than borrowing and returning? RTR offers gift cards so you can rent earrings such as these Kendra Scott stunners for a special event.
Rent The Runway, $75
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Peppercotton
Recovered Swarovski crystals sparkle through a
PepperCotton, $175
transparent mesh tube. -
Peppercotton
Truly festive: Everyone needs a bright red bow-tie for
Peppercotton, $575
the holiday season. -
Lulu Frost
The vintage elements of this sophisticated one-of-a-kind necklace span a half-century. As it notes on the website: "One chance, one piece, one owner.
Lulu Frost, $900 -
Loup Charmant
Designer Kee Edwards has a beautiful, ethically minded clothing line called Loup Charmant—and we couldn't be more thrilled that she's expanded into
Loup Charmant, $1,400
ethically-created jewelry. -
La Petite Paillette
This small, hand-crafted jewelry line charmingly fuses modern and vintage materials.
Etsy, $154 -
Eve Cahill
Eve Cahill's ID necklace is a
TotoKaelo, $174
step up from the usual
hand-stamped initials. -
Kria
Icelandic designer Jóhanna Methúsalemsdóttir created an entire line of jewelry based on hauntingly beautiful fish studies.
Kria, $195 -
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Suzannah Wainhouse
Wainhouse presses pave diamonds into brass and weaves them through a soft leather tie for an organic and architectural effect.
Beautiful Dreamers,$505 -
Erin Considine
Artist and third generation craftsman Erin Considine continually experiments with materials, form, and technique, as evidenced by this truly original piece.
Erin Considine, $450
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Isabel Marant
By definition, brass is a recycled metal: Isabel Marant takes the material and turns it into the crème de la crème of designer booty.
Steven Alan, Price by Request -
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Stanmore
It's hard not to fall in love with Cat Alexander's sustainable,
Stanmore, $220
sleek jewelry line. -
Andy Lifschutz
This charm bracelet features carefully picked antique sterling
Andy Lifschutz, $250
and bronze coins, some
dating from 250 BC. -
Alyssa Norton
An understated yet glamorous friendship bracelet made of
Twist, $128
braided silk threads, brass,
and rhinestone detail. -
Sequence
The Love Knot bracelet from Ariela Suster's line Sequence gives you easy glitz while supporting the artisans of her native El Salvador.
Sequence, $40
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