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Alright guys, you might think it's a cliché to give jewellery to your favourite lady at Christmas, but it's a cliché for a reason -- we love it! A necklace makes even the greenest hippy feel girlie and the huge variety of ethical jewellery available now means that you can find something to suit every taste (and wallet size).
For anyone who's seen the movie Blood Diamond and vowed never to get an unethical diamond, Fifi Bijoux is the place for you. All its gold and gemstones are ethically mined and fairly traded. We defy anyone not to love their Rutile Ring (£999, see main picture), with its beautiful hunk of Brazilian gold rutile quartz. Diamonds might be a girl’s best friend, but she’d probably be fairly amenable if you gave her this instead.
If the price tag for the Rutile Ring sounds more like the emergency number to you, why not check out the unusual pieces from Made Boutique. The Boutique collection is made in collaboration with designer Pippa Small, whose work is inspired by the indigenous communities she works with and supports. The twisted cuff (£40) stands out in particular -- formed using a delicate mesh of brass wires, it's an elegant alternative to the standard chunky cuff.
Ingle & Rhodes’ ethically traded jewellery is equally impressive. Their Order in Chaos stud earrings (£59), designed by Kimberley Selwood, are made formed from gold produced without mercury or cyanide and are guaranteed to have been made without the use of child labour, which is still rife in the jewellery industry.
Fair trade jewellery company, Silverchilli was set up by three Brits and a Mexican, whose common aim was to dispel the myth that 'third world' crafts or goods are poor quality. Their jewellery is handmade by local artisans in Mexico, and their beautifully crafted silver bangles definitely overcome any misconceptions regarding quality. Their solid silver v-shaped bangle (£25, pictured below) even comes in a presentation pouch, so the ecologically aware (or lazy) don’t have to wrap it up.
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