After a 1969 oil spill wreaked havoc on the environment and sparked a movement for environmental awareness, Earth Day was born. The first Earth Day, which happened in 1970 and brought 20 million Americans together, led to the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. Today, Earth Day summons over a billion people every year to safeguard the planet.

Each year Earth Day follows a theme, this year the theme is “Planet v Plastics,” underscoring the urgent need for plastic reduction. With 380 million tonnes of plastic produced yearly and only 9% recycled, a 60% reduction by 2040 is crucial.

As recent reports show record-high emissions and alarming temperature spikes, we’re all called to make more conscious decisions. Our dollar and where we choose to shop can make a big difference.

Earth Day Jewelry, Earth-Inspired Jewelry, Dune Jewelry's concert t-shirts. — Celebrate Earth Day with a FREE Earth Day concert tee for orders $75+.

Eco-Friendly And Sustainable Jewelry

Choosing sustainable jewelry where possible is a great start, because the conventional jewelry industry, when done wrong, uses unethical and environmentally harmful practices.

Sustainable or eco-friendly jewelry brands use recycled metals and conflict-free gemstones, supporting responsible production and empowering communities.

This Earth Day opt for sustainable jewelry and protect the planet. After all, jewelry should make both you and the planet feel good!

To honor the Earth and support conscious consumption, we’ve gathered a list of 5 jewelry companies that are prioritizing sustainable, ethical, and environmentally friendly production.

Explore the List:

1. Kimaï

Kimaï is a pioneer in transparent and sustainable jewelry craftsmanship.

Growing up surrounded by the diamond trade, Kimaï’s founders experienced firsthand the lack of transparency in the diamond industry. Through Kimaï, they address the jewelry and diamond industry’s impact by crafting pieces solely from 18k recycled gold and lab-grown diamonds.

Their mission? To offer high-quality, ethically sourced jewelry with full traceability. With prices ranging from approximately $275 to $4,000+, Kimaï embodies environmentally-conscious luxury.

Product shot of Kimaï jewelry's Drop Pear Bracelet, 18k Recycled Gold for Dune Jewelry's sustainable jewelry blog — Drop Pear Bracelet, 18k Recycled Gold, Priced at $545.

2. WWAKE

This Brooklyn-based jewelry brand is rooted in the belief that jewelry symbolizes a connection to the earth and its people. WWAKE’s mission encompasses careful sourcing, meticulous craftsmanship, and ongoing learning.

With meticulously handmade and made-to-order jewelry using recycled gold, silver, and diamonds and fair trade practices, WWAKE’s commitment to sustainability is evident.

Additionally, WWAKE strives for zero waste and sources heritage gemstones and antique diamonds to minimize reliance on new mining.

Prices range from approximately $25 to $23,900.

Product shot of hand wearing th Pear Cut Sapphire And Diamond Nestled Ring No. 15 by WWAKE, sustainable jewelry. — Pear Cut Sapphire And Diamond Nestled Ring No. 15, Priced at $3,188.

3. Dune Jewelry

Dune Jewelry is more than just a jewelry brand; it’s a heartfelt connection to the ocean and the Earth as a whole, crafted with sustainability and ethics in mind. Each sustainable jewelry piece is handcrafted with love and sandy hands, using environmentally-friendly materials and ethically sourced sand and earth elements with the help of their customers.

In their commitment to the planet, Dune Jewelry donates a portion of every sale to various charitable organizations, totaling over $250,000 in contributions.

Among their partners is Mission Blue, an organization dedicated to protecting and preserving our Earth’s oceans. Their Earth Day Black Cord Bracelet gives back $12 to Mission Blue.

You can support several different causes by purchasing from their Touch the World and 4ocean collaborations. Designs from the Dune x 4ocean collection help pull up to 10 lbs of plastic from our oceans.

Dune Jewelry’s prices range from approximately $35 to $1,470, with home accents and accessories priced lower.

Photo of model Camille Kostek wearing the large Goddess Ring with Moonstone from Dune Jewelry, .925 Sterling Silver Genuine Moonstone. — Goddess Ring with Moonstone by Camille Kostek, .925 Sterling Silver Genuine Moonstone, Priced at $380.

4. Aurate

Aurate crafts delicate jewelry pieces without markups and with a conscience.

Hailing from NYC, Aurate’s seventh-generation craftspeople create exquisite gold jewelry and engagement pieces using exclusively 100% recycled gold. Drawing inspiration from iconic NYC landmarks and architecture, their sustainable collection exudes modern flair and style, perfect for the contemporary woman.

Their recycled gold undergoes refining to remove impurities, ensuring both quality and environmental responsibility. Oh, they are also carbon neutral! Their prices range from approximately $35 to $18,000.

Aurate's Bold Twisted Hoop Earrings, 14k Solid Gold, for Dune Jewelry's blog. — Bold Twisted Hoop Earrings, 14k Solid Gold, Priced at $255.

5. Catori Life

Catori Life specializes in creating ethically-made jewelry inspired by nature, crafted with care and respect. As a woman-owned brand, they prioritize fair wages and ethical sourcing, ensuring every piece is mindfully made in the USA. Their collections are all crafted with recycled gold. With a focus on ethically sourced and reclaimed materials, Catori Life’s jewelry is not only beautiful but also environmentally aware.

Their commitment to the planet exceeds the use of recycled materials, with each purchase made helping grassroots organizations such as The Eden Project, which plants 10 trees for every purchase. Catori Life’s prices range from approximately $48 to $2,200.