Sustainability, Ethics & Responsibility

Our Promise: Sustainable, Ethical & Responsible Jewellery

At Luster Jewellery, we are committed to continually improving our processes and supply chains. Our vision is to offer jewellery made with responsibly sourced materials, ensuring that each piece can be cherished and passed down for generations. We aim to enhance the integrity of our creations while staying true to our values.

Our pieces are handcrafted in New Zealand, which means there are no unfair or unsafe working conditions in the jewellery making process.

 

Our Values

We believe in lifelong learning and evolving to be better versions of ourselves. This philosophy extends to improving our environment and the items we use daily. Everyone deserves health and safety, regardless of where they live or work.

 

Key Terms Explained

First, here’s a look at what these common terms truly mean:

  • Ethical: Adhering to accepted moral principles, often including fair trade, fair wages, and safe working conditions.
  • Sustainable: Using resources in a way that does not deplete them for future generations, often involving renewable and recycled materials.
  • Eco-Friendly: Having minimal impact on the environment, often involving biodegradable, recyclable, or less harmful processes.
  • Responsibly Sourced: Obtained in a way that respects the environment and the rights of workers, ensuring minimal negative impact on communities and ecosystems.

 

What We're Against

  • Greenwashing: Misleading marketing that pretends to be environmentally friendly.
  • Hypocrisy: Saying one thing and doing another.
  • Stagnation: Failing to seek continuous improvement.

While we're working towards improving and developing our ethical and sustainable practices, we recognise the complexities. We don't label our jewellery as 'ethical' or 'sustainable' lightly because:

  • We can't personally verify every step in our supply chain.
  • Silver, gold and gemstones, even recycled, aren't an infinite resource.
  • Eco-friendly packaging isn't enough to make a brand or product itself eco-friendly.
  • Handcrafted in New Zealand isn't enough to make a brand or product ethical.

 

What We're For

  • Working Towards Better: As our business grows, and our supplies need replenishing, we aim to replenish more responsibly. 
  • Honesty and Transparency: Being open about our processes and continuously seeking to improve.
  • Accountability: Holding ourselves to high standards and always looking for ways to reduce our impact.

 

Our Practices

Craftsmanship

All our jewellery is handcrafted in New Zealand by the owner of Luster Jewellery - which means there is no dangerous working conditions or exploiting employees. While we do source pre-made components like butterflies and chains, every piece is carefully assembled with attention to detail.

We retain all metal scraps for recycling or repurposing, minimising waste and promoting sustainability.

Gemstones

We have sourced our sapphire, tourmaline and ruby gemstone collections with known origins to avoid the pitfalls of unethical sourcing. While ‘ethical’ certifications are rare and often expensive for rough stones, we partner with suppliers who share our values. Our gemstones come from:

  • Reputable Suppliers: Who educate miners on safe, profitable practices.
  • Humanitarian Projects: Stones sourced directly through aid initiatives.
  • Recycled Sources: Gems that are repurposed or reused.

Metals

Currently, we are transitioning to suppliers who can provide responsibly sourced metals. Moving forward, our goal is to source more sustainable silver and gold-filled metals. Although fair-mined metals are currently out of reach due to cost, we aim to use recycled metals as a step towards reducing environmental impact.

Packaging

Once our current stock is depleted, we will switch to eco-friendly packaging. Our jewellery boxes will be recyclable with anti-tarnish foam inserts, and our shipping materials, including mailers and labels, will be sourced to minimise environmental impact.

 

Community Involvement

As a small business, we strive to support charitable organisations through donations. We’ve provided Luster Jewellery vouchers for auctions and raffles, aiding fundraising efforts. If you know of a cause that could benefit from our support, please get in touch.

Thank you for joining us on this journey towards a more sustainable and ethical future.

Charities we have supported: