These Jewellery Designers Are Building Planet-Positive Brands

JEWELLERY DESIGNERS (L TO R) PRATIK SHAH, KAJAL FABIANI HIRANANDANI, YOGESH BULCHANDANI, PAVIT GUJRAL, ADITI GHIYA, ADI ALFARDAN, NADA GHAZAL

The new generation is all about making the world a better place. That’s precisely why there is an increase in the demand for sustainable, homegrown and environmentally conscious designs. Luxury jewellery is no different. Meet seven new-era designers bringing innovation, motivation and conscious commitment to the forefront – designing sustainable natural diamond jewels, that create an everlasting positive change for the environment.

The Natural Diamond Council sat down with socially and ethically conscious designers who are going to great lengths to create businesses that are gentler on the planet. Read ahead to be truly inspired.

IMAGE CREDITS ADI HANDMADE

How would you describe your jewellery?

AG: Adi Handmade is inspired by the elegance found in simplicity, symmetry, geometry and the universal spirit which unites us all. We create with the intention of studying and preserving the beautiful art and tradition of handmade jewellery. By playing with a mix of traditional and non-traditional methods of stone setting and jewellery design, we bring to life a blend of old and new cultures, highlighting the rare and beautiful talent of local craftsmen.

What sustainable practices are you incorporating in your business model?

AG: We find it important to treat people as ‘artists’ rather than ‘workers’. Our work is guided by respect for the skill and craftsmanship of these artisans. Our pieces are handmade, created using age-old techniques in order to preserve them. One of the ways in which we practice sustainability is in the form of employing ethical labour practices. We ensure safe working conditions, pay higher than average industry salaries, provide artisans with free healthcare and support their children’s education. Perhaps the biggest impact in the form of sustainability is the support we provide skilled artisans to continue being part of a trade that is dying because of machine-made jewellery slowly taking over this fast-paced world.

How do you minimize your carbon footprint?

AG: Since our production is entirely handmade, the process generates little to no pollution. Most of the stones we purchase are cut and polished locally (our family has been trading stones for four decades, thus much of our sourcing happens closer to the mines, or just one step away from them). Artisans working at our studio and their families live locally as well.

IMAGE CREDITS NADA GHAZAL FINE JEWELLERY

How would you describe your jewellery?

NG: Our jewellery collection features authentically sourced diamonds and gems, finished in our signature hand-brushed gold. While the pieces are bold, they are also very feminine and sensual. Our customers feel an understated sense of luxury when wearing our pieces. They can wear one piece or layer different pieces together for a sophisticated look.

NG: We work on social sustainability and focus on women empowerment. We are proud of our female-led, female-managed business. Our international growth has played a positive impact on our local community providing sustainable work to our team of in-house craftsmen as well as the ancillary services that support our business, from packaging, display to printing. We engage with the community by providing local internships to students annually and through supporting women artisans by providing them with training in design theory and practice to improve their products and create a higher value proposition.

How do you minimize your carbon footprint?

NG: Most of our craftsmen’s work is done by hand with minimal usage of equipment.

IMAGE CREDITS KAJ FINE JEWELLERY

How would you describe your jewellery style?

KFH: KAJ is a way for me to express my passion for everyday luxury in a way that is modern and accessible. Reinventing the idea of captivating pieces that you keep locked away, we bring fine natural diamond jewellery with an edge that is accessible and easy-to-wear at any time of the day. 

KFH: All our diamonds are registered with the Kimberley Process, and we buy fair-trade gemstones that are ethically sourced from the earth’s surface. Our gold is purchased from the national refinery, and bullion traders are registered for refining. We use gold alloys as it is hypoallergenic and we encourage our clients to recycle their old gold into new pieces 

How do you minimize your carbon footprint?

KFH: Our processes and production units are designed in a manner that prevents the release of harmful gases into the environment. We meticulously monitor each step to minimize our carbon footprint. Additionally, we have replaced plastic bottles with glass ones, and any plastic we use is recycled to create outdoor furniture, ensuring sustainability throughout our operations. 

The conscious commitment of
new-era designers in natural diamond jewellery

ALL JEWELLERY ADI ALFARDAN

 How would you describe your jewellery?

AAF: At Adi Alfardan Jewellery, we embody elegance and sophistication in our designs, drawing inspiration from both traditional and modern elements. The brand is defined by craftsmanship, attention to detail and a commitment to using only the finest quality of natural diamonds and gemstones. 

AAF: It is essential to have visibility on how the material is sourced. Understanding the supply chain from mine to shop and adhering to fairtrade is key. We place importance on ensuring that all our natural diamonds and gemstones are ethically sourced. To achieve this, we work closely with suppliers who have strict ethical standards, industry certifications and promote responsible mining.

How do you minimize your carbon footprint?

AAF: We actively seek to minimize our carbon footprint across all aspects of our operations. This includes optimizing our supply chain logistics to reduce transportation emissions, implementing energy-efficient practices in our workshop and boutique, and promoting a culture of sustainability among our employees and partners. 

ALL JEWELLERY DIAMANTINA FINE JEWELS

How would you describe your jewellery?

YB: Our unique selling point is that we create timeless jewels. Using minimalistic metal and carefully selecting natural diamonds of the utmost quality, we make pieces that will be passed on from one generation to the next with immeasurable pride. Our clean and classic aesthetic is exciting but not overwhelming.

YB: We prioritize fair labour practices and do our best to contribute positively to all our employees and society. We ensure our diamonds are ethically sourced by partnering with reliable and reputed suppliers. Since we have over 40 years of experience in this industry, we have long-standing relationships with all of our suppliers. Jewellery is synonymous with trust and we take this very seriously.

How do you minimize your carbon footprint?

YB: We do our best to reduce our impact on the environment by utilizing recycled gold as part of our everyday production process. Reclaimed gold also has a wonderful sentiment attached to it that we find both stylish and touching.

 ALL IMAGES PAVIT GUJRAL DESIGNS

How would you describe your jewellery?

PG: From an early age, I was fascinated by art and design which led me to craft natural diamond jewellery as a form of self-expression. My pieces draw inspiration from nature’s bounty and beauty. Every piece tells a story.

PG: I source the highest grade from fair-trade certified mines and opt for ethically sourced diamonds. I choose suppliers who provide transparent information about the origin of their diamonds and precious materials. Suppliers should be able to trace the entire supply chain, from mining to manufacturing, and provide documentation to verify. 

 How do you minimize your carbon footprint? 

PG: As a nature lover, we are dedicated to cutting down our carbon footprint whilst contributing to sustainable and environmentally-friendly industry practices. We are implementing energy-efficient equipment and processes that minimize waste. This transparency helps build trust and encourages sustainable consumer behavior.  

 IMAGE CREDITS ESTAA   

How would you describe your jewellery?

ESTAA is renowned for its innovative approach to jewellery, pioneering the use of unconventional materials ranging from gold, silver, brass, titanium, resin, wood and ruthenium. Our latest venture into recycled aluminum marks a new chapter in our creative journey. This collection is a harmonious blend of modern aesthetics and a profound respect for our planet. By combining recycled aluminum with 18kt gold and adorning these pieces with upcycled natural diamonds and gemstones, we manifest our core ethos. Furthermore, the application of nano-ceramic high technology coatings not only enhances the durability and beauty of each piece but also underscores our commitment to environmental stewardship through innovative design. In this way, ESTAA’s jewellery transcends as a mere adornment, embodying a powerful statement of sustainability and forward-thinking craftsmanship.

The NEEL collection incorporates upcycled diamonds and recycled aluminum. We bring back natural diamonds that have been previously used in jewellery and are reconditioned to a higher standard for a new life in our creations. This approach is crucial to us as it aligns with our mission to reduce environmental impact and promote the circular economy within the luxury sector.

How do you minimize your carbon footprint? 

We’ve embraced the use of electric bikes for feasible city deliveries. To cut down travel emissions, we champion digital interactions and meetings. We’re also in the process of integrating a customized ERP system designed to eliminate paper usage entirely. This shift is pivotal considering our work with precious materials has extensive documentation. We’re also revamping our packaging to ensure it is fully crafted from recycled and recyclable materials, a testament to our ethos of reducing waste.