Buying jewelry and precious metals is a tradition on Diwali. While many in the sustainability community, including Vedic teacher, Acharya Prashant, have moved away from the practice calling it maya or overconsumption, many use Dhanteras and Diwali as a way to buy jewelry they deem necessary, whether that be wedding rings, investments, or auspicious items. While there is a case to be made that says that we should be mindful to ensure we don’t end up falling for the shine of excess overconsumption, if you feel you must own a piece of jewelry, even after considering all this, here are some brands that respect human labour and environmental concerns or claim to do so,
Sustainable and Fair Trade Artificial Jewelry in India
Thrift Stores
While many discourage this, my mother included, and for good reason, there are some ways we can get good artificial jewelry in thrift stories like FreeUp, if we take the time to know sellers, and ensure quality. It is always advised, however, if possible buy in person or swap with people who can be trusted on places like Declutter groups.
Local Artisans and NGOs
While it is important to ensure sustainable materials and fair trade policies are applied, if you are in a pinch, supporting local artisans, local small businesses, and NGOs that make items to help communities are a good option. For example, I bought these hand painted jhumkas in Jaipur in a local store that supports traditional practices and artisan livelihoods in Jaipur.
Upcycled Jewelry Stores and Artisans’ Stores
Many stores like Irisha Jewels support artisans and use recycled materials in making their pieces, and there are hundreds of upcycling stores which use materials like discarded plastic and wood to make items. Artisans have used materials like wood to make jewelry for ages, and now places like Tangerine bio-jewelry stores have come up, which are making innovative designs alongside many zero-waste jewelry stores. Some popular stores include Daughters of Ganges, House of Aadyaa, and more.
Sustainable Stores
Sustainable and fair-trade stores, like the ones Teejh claims to be (but no information can be found on their parent brand) or Tanisqh is said to be by Sustaiableprity despite their fast fashion modle or GIVA which uses recycled materials and claims to be fair trade despite their own fast jewelry modle, often use recycled materials, have fair-trade practices as recycled materials alone don’t help miners unless fair-trade laws are applied as shared by Gittemarie Johanson about the situation in Europe, and ethically source their gemstones. While the debate is out for lab-made diamonds, I got my engagement ring from Orome Jewelers in Pune, which has sustainable claims, and Etsy stores online. These places used moissanite and recycled previous metals for the piece I got.
My wedding Noa was from Palmonas which has customer service issues and does not have fair-trade certifications but uses recycled stainless steel, ethical practices in sourcing, and recycled plating material or so they claim despite their plagiarism accusations and the lack of employee satsifaction which indicates unfair wages. While it is important to prioritize sustainability like Palmonas does, fair-trade is paramount, but of course, in the spirit of using what I own and sentimentality, I will keep my Noa which I then thought was made ethically due to my then research.
Now I am wondering If I have overconsumed jewelry, despite it only being what I love or what is considered essential in my or my partner’s culture. My mum would say I under consume but I doubt that, especially since I often think I should have one wedding piece made of silver, and one of gold so I can always have a wedding piece with whatever I wear- which now I feel could be done in more sustainable ways (even if I also know I would most likely have to buy all but one item due to family ). One key thought, wedding symbols can be gendered and I choose to wear mine for myself regardless of whether people recognize them or not. Due to personal reasons, I want to wear symbols that are accepted as marital in some culture or the other, regardless of whether anyone around recognizes them. Yet, it should be a personal choice and marriages ideally are partnerships where no one feels lesser or is subjugated. Back to topic?
For real gold and silver jewelry, heirlooms remain a great choice, like the shaka pola that were passed down generations in my husbands’ family or jewelry from her wedding that my mum gifted to me. However, if one must buy new, stores like Seneco which are certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council are a good choice. While trusting certifications is not a 100% guarantee of ethical practices, it can work in a pinch.
The goal is to get less items, to reduce impact on the planet’s resources and extending support to those who pay fair. The most important bit is to get those pieces which add value to your life and will be reused again and again, and as far as possible get them in an eco-friendly and fair manner. Whether that be supporting a village shop and ensuring development, holding up tradition mindfully, or some other way to sustainably consume and bypass overconsumption in using jewelry. We can swap and share or thrift and borrow or upcycle and craft or shop slow. After all, jewelry might be sringar and may feel necessary, I love having a few pieces too, but we must be mindful in using them. One thing we must consider is value for money, and while we paying fair might mean a little more expense, we must take care not to be scammed or give in to the problem of spending more than we can, a thing we have not looked at in this blog. Keeping the balance between buying what adds value, paying fair, and not overconsuming is important, which can be done, as mentioned through swaps and other forms of mindful living, other than slow shopping.
Wishing you a prosperous festive season whether that be Diwali, Kali Puja, or another. Let me know in the comments how you plan to celebrate a sustainable Diwali or another festival.
Author’s Note- Thanks for reading! Do check out our store for stories of strong women, beautiful poetry, and more written art this festive season. A way to support communities is to buy diyas and items from Autism Society West Bengal.
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Siya: A Su*cide’s Argument
On paper, she has everything- a dedicated lover, powers that are second to none, and professional success. Yet, she wakes up in a hospital having tried to do the unimaginable and hurt herself, but thankfully she gets a chance to heal. Explore with Siya the depths of familial trauma and healing.
Kindly note, you have to be 25+ to read this work as it has existential and mental health related themes with graphic language.
None of the actions or opinions of the characters are encouraged by the author/work/publisher who take no responsibility.
Please read a review of the work here by the Literature Times, which awarded this work The Legacy of Literature Award. The work also won the Dickens Literary Medal and Woman Writer of the Year by Ukiyoto Publishing.
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