Recycled Vegan Jewellery (the best eco brands)

As well as avoiding harm with vegan jewellery (no bone, fur, feather, oysters, shells), it’s also important to choose pieces made from recycled metals, to avoid mining for new gold and silver (there is enough of both on earth to last for eternity).

Mining not only harms the planet, but disturbs ecosystems (and panning for gold is harming habitats of endangered hippos on the ivory coast). Donkeys in Tanzania also have to work in hot weather to transport gold from mines. Just choose recycled, to help everyone and everything.

atypicalthing is based in Birmingham’s famous Jewellery Quarter. But this trained silversmith uses recycled silver and gold, rather than new.

Keep jewellery out of reach of young children and pets. Send single earrings, broken chains (and unwanted watches and bank notes freepost to Animal Free Research UK or War Paws (to help animals in war zones).

This recycled promise ring is adorned with sparkling CZ stones (zirconium dioxide are ‘manmade diamonds’ to avoid mining). Makes a lovely affordable wedding ring.

How to care for and clean jewellery

Keep your jewellery in closed pouches, so it doesn’t rub and scratch. Take it off before showering, swimming, or using a sauna, and also before applying lotion or perfume.

For cleaning, soak it in lukewarm water with a little mild liquid soap, then use an old toothbrush to lift any marks. After that, rinse well and dry with a soft, clean cloth.

Lily Charmed (fun recycled silver jewellery)

Lily Charmed offers hundreds of cute earrings, bracelets and necklaces (plus charms, including for bridesmaids) made from recycled silver. Everything is sent in zero waste packaging.

This brand was founded by a mother, who needed a creative outlet while raising her children. It’s now one of England’s best-selling eco-friendly jewellery companies.

Nancy Jones (reclaimed tin jewellery from Yorkshire)

Nancy Jones Jewellery offers fun colourful jewellery, made from restored vintage tins! Like wearing a piece of history, some tins are modern while others feature bold prints from tins used back in the 60s and 70s. You could be wearing an old toffee tin or tea caddy!

Coffee Pod Creations (earrings made from coffee pods!)

Coffee Pod Creations makes jewellery out of old coffee pods, to save them going to landfill. Coffee pod earrings tend to be very light. Even the larger pieces won’t tug at your ear.

Coffee pods are one of the most wasteful things on earth, so these earrings play a huge part in helping to reduce landfill waste.

Sky Diamonds (real diamonds, made from air!)

Sky Diamond is the ethical alternative for people who buy real diamonds. But these require no mining. They are made by combining hydrogen from rainwater, forming the same crystal structure as earth-mined diamonds. And unlike most lab-grown gems, this brand cuts out all fossil fuels completely.

These are very expensive, but listed as an ethical alternative to people who do pay thousands of pounds for engagement and wedding rings (and millions do).

Before ordering, find your correct ring size (you can have custom sizes and engraving if wished).