sustainability and fair trade

Support for independent designers and green companies are more important than ever. I don’t think you need to sacrifice your environmental principals for fashion. I worked in the environmental field for eight years before becoming a designer so sustainability is important to me. Our Woodland collection features reclaimed ebony wood that we finish with linseed oil, instead of conventional wood finishes which are chemical laden. Our factories filter runoff water when possible, recycle metal, and we have a streamlined packaging system that reduces shipping, storage, and labeling materials. We do not use chemical dyed stones, heat treated, or stones enhanced by radiation. On the administrative side of the business we incorporate sustainability principles in our use and purchase of packaging materials, office supplies, and energy use. We recycle as much as possible to reduce waste. Each year I try to tackle a new way to green the business. This year I plan to set up a carbon off-set program to decrease the impact of our international and domestic shipping. Our new retail website will offer customers the chance to offset the environmental impact of shipping their order.

I moved most of my production to India about three years ago, primarily because I wanted to be able to design fine jewelry quality hand fabricated pieces that are affordable. It was really important that my business dealings followed the principles of fair trade in the areas of pricing, worker conditions, and manufacturing practices. Many of our craftsmen belong to a guild that sets labor rates based on experience and outlines holiday and vacation schedules. Absolutely no child labor is used and we adjust pricing to reflect changes in the raw material markets. India is a wonderful place for handmade jewelry manufacturing, the history of ornate handmade work spans centuries. We use only conflict-free diamonds in accordance with the Kimberly process, an international conflict-free certification program. We also support the ban on gem stones exported from Burma.