Eco-Jewels From Recycled Glass, Metal and Vintage
Got gold? Chances are your new gold (or silver) trinket was made from metal mined with cyanide and other Earth-poisoners. Look beyond the traditional jewelry store for alternative pieces that are as gorgeous as they are sustainable.
Stackable rings are just as stylish in recycled glass. We covet those hand-blown in a process designer Jenny Gaynor perfected while studying in Murano, Italy (to glass makers what Paris is to fashion designers). In shades from blush to violet, the rings will hold up to daily use—providing you don’t punch anybody.
We love the oversized, graphic look of Prismera Design’s Noctiflora Collection, which captures the shapes of night-blooming flowers like jasmine and moonvine. These necklaces (and accompanying earrings from the Noctiflora ll) are crafted exclusively in stainless steel, which is comprised of 65 to 80% recycled metal.
Los Angeles artist Fahmina works in recycled, reclaimed leather, and created the most gorgeous collection of Leather Feather earrings that stop traffic whenever we sport them.
Do you have a pile of old chains gathering dust in your jewelry box? Check out Junk Jewelry, the new book by Jane Eldershaw that step-by-step shows you how to create jewelry from recycled components. But Eldershaw doesn’t just stop with the family jewels—she adds paperclips and old hardware to the mix that add a surprisingly beautiful touch.
Some things are best left in the hands of professionals, like the geniuses behind Sid Vintage and Gemma Redux, two lines created from vintage jewelry that’s been deconstructed and reassembled to look entirely new. Where other interpretive vintage jewelry lines add a few charms to an old locket or break down a necklace into earrings, these lines both feature pieces crafted from carefully tangled lengths of chain, woven and knotted—almost like yarn, or fabric—around stunning stone centerpieces.
Finally, Los Angeles designer Noaki Schwartz crafted the beautiful necklace and bracelet pictured on our home page, but it’s her reworked vintage hair combs that have us texting links to the husfriends.
Breathtaking.
