What is artisan jewelry? It’s jewelry that’s been made by a skilled craftsperson, often incorporating traditional techniques, local materials, and a unique design that might even tell a story.
While it shares many ethical values with fair trade jewelry, artisan handmade jewelry brands may be too small to afford any official certification. This is why we look for fair trade practices rather than just certifications to ensure the working behind the bling is just as sparkly.
We considered materials, ethical sourcing, and a brand’s sustainable business practices to find those handmade jewelry companies going the extra mile for people and the planet.
We’re also in the process of rolling out our sparkling new Brand Rating System, which covers 22 different criteria in total. Check back soon for article updates and in the meantime, you can learn all about how this new system works here.
So, what brands sell good quality jewelry that’s also ethically handcrafted?
We independently research all featured brands and we ask them to confirm their claims. In many cases we personally review recommended products. This post contains affiliate links which means we may earn a commission if you buy something. Learn more here.
A First Look At Our Favorite Fair Trade Handmade Jewelry
SOKO, a platform that delivers artisan made jewelry around the world, ensures that highly skilled artisans aren’t stunted in their local micro-economies.
By combining recycled metals, semi-precious stones, and natural wood, Josiah Eidmann Studios’s earthy pieces make them one of the most unique jewelry brands around.
Fair trade brand Catbird delivers sustainable practices and responsibly sourced materials—which is no small feat considering the vast selection of artisanal jewelry.
Index: Artisan Handmade Jewelry Websites
- Soko Jump to brand
- Catbird Jump to brand
- Josiah Eidmann Studios Jump to brand
- Tumble & Rose Jump to brand
- Kind Karma Jewelry Jump to brand
- Melissa Joy Mannin Jump to brand
- Rover & Kin Jump to brand
Soko
About SOKO
Price Range: $40–$278
SOKO, a woman-led Certified B Corp from Nairobi, Kenya, provides a platform for small artisans to optimize the selling of their wares through access to a global market.
They combine purpose with handmade artisan jewelry that’s suitable for any occasion, including bold yet elegant earrings, necklaces, rings, and bracelets.
While enabling artisans in Kenya to access the global marketplace, pick up a pair of SOKO’s unique geometric Dash Ear Cuffs to encourage conversation around empowering women artisans.
SOKO’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Brass is not only SOKO’s go-to metal but one of the best materials since ~90% of it available today is recycled.
Their brass is sourced from reliable vendors and is combined with 24K gold or chrome plating.
They use several materials found locally, like Ankole Longhorn cattle horns and bones repurposed from the food industry.
This is in addition to teak offcuts from sustainable sources in South Sudan and handmade beads made by a fair trade women’s collective in Kenya.
Supply chain & labor practices:
In many areas of the world, including Kenya, entrepreneurial activities are limited to local markets.
SOKO is able to change this by supporting artisans with their virtual factory, an app that connects artisans to the team at large and provides them with support, training opportunities, and worldwide orders and payment.
They also have a field team that oversees production and ensures working hours are limited and child labor prohibitions are adhered to.
On average, SOKO artisans earn up to five times the pay of an average artisan in the same area.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
SOKO’s workshops work to limit energy, chemical, and water use.
They also have “Environmental Champions” that educate their artisans to empower them to protect our planet.
Community & charitable giving:
SOKO partners with the United Nations Trust Fund to end violence against women.
Catbird
About Catbird
Price Range: $14–$15,500
We love fair trade jewelry companies that get it right from the start— like Catbird.
With humble, NY beginnings, this powerhouse brand now has storefronts in the iconic Rockefeller Centre and LA—all while staying true to their artisan handcrafted jewelry roots.
If you’re looking to propose with an ethical engagement ring, their Swan Solitaire collection was the first big break they had into ceremony jewelry.
If you don’t want to sacrifice size and clarity for affordability, pieces like Anna the Swan and its gorgeous lab-grown diamonds make fine jewelry accessible to more people.
They’re also the OGs in permanent jewelry, and you can “Get Zapped” at any of their storefronts.
Catbird’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
With a large selection of conscious jewelry, you’ll see many materials used, including recycled or lab-grown stones and diamonds (i.e. conflict-free), freshwater pearls, and recycled or fair trade gold.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Catbird gets their pearls from a third-generation farm in China that engages in clean water practices.
As a member of No Dirty Gold, they only use recycled and/or ethically sourced gold.
Besides providing a safe working environment, they employ a small trustworthy team who receive healthcare, a retirement plan, and fun perks.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
After building their HQ, in the historic and LEED-certified Brooklyn Navy Yard, all of their production is done in-house, reducing their carbon footprint.
Inclusivity:
For those who want free trade jewelry and bling on a budget, this woman-owned business has a section for jewelry under $200.
Community & charitable giving:
You’ve heard of ‘jewelry just because’, but Catbird believes in jewelry for a cause.
Your purchase will support the Catbird Giving Fund, which allocates 1% of sales (sales, not just profits) to equality-centered nonprofits.
Recently, they surpassed 1.9 million!
Josiah Eidmann Studios
About Josiah Eidmann Studios
Price Range: $9–$51
From contemporary artist struggling to find his groove in the art scene, to talented cabinet maker, all the way to beautiful jewelry artisan, Josiah Eidmann Studios’ work combines natural materials with intricate inlays.
One of the most affordable and quirky jewelry brands out there, Josiah specialized in uniquely earth-inspired earrings, pendants, and steel core inlaid rings.
The Geometric Triangle Earrings are a statement piece, in more ways than one! Made of upcycled metal and dyed maplewood, they’re the perfect pick-me-up to any dangling (get it?) conversation.
Josiah Eidmann Studio’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Each of the fine metals, varying between rose gold, surgical steel, sterling silver, yellow gold fill and more, are made using recycled materials.
Varying in wood grain, each piece is one of a kind, and we’ve reached out to Josiah to get the full details on where the wood is sourced.
Supply chain & labor practices:
As one of the many independent artisans on this list, Josiah self-crafts all these beautiful artisan handmade jewelry pieces in his own studio.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
When purchased through Etsy, these fair trade earrings, rings, and necklaces ship carbon neutral.
Tumble & Rose
About Tumble & Rose
Price Range: $15–$22
At Tumble & Rose, you won’t just find handmade fair trade jewelry. You’ll find dainty pieces that pay homage to the natural world.
Take the Fern Imprint Recycled Silver Necklace, a simple piece of minimalist jewelry that nature fans will love.
Each item is handcrafted and stamped, meaning these fair trade necklaces and one-of-a-kind cuffs are all slightly different than the last.
Tumble & Rose’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Tumble & Rose metals consists of recycled materials only.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Pieces are made in founder Helen’s Southampton studio
With a smaller inventory, T&R works to ensure each artisan made piece has a clean history, unlike those made in mass production lines.
Kind Karma Jewelry
About Kind Karma
Price Range: $28–$85
Toronto-based Kind Karma has a different take on artisan handmade jewelry.
Technically a social enterprise, the jewelry brand employs at-risk youth and uses jewelry making to transform their lives.
When you glance at your KK ring, anklet, bracelet, earrings, or necklace, you’ll know that it comes with a significant positive social impact.
Speaking of good karma, supply your best friend or family member with a dainty Linked Bracelet to match your own to commemorate a special event or relationship.
Kind Karma’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Kind Karma uses a variety of metals (sterling silver and 14K gold) combined with a variety of gemstones (turquoise, pearls, opals, and more) and other unique, natural materials (lava stones and seashells).
Supply chain & labor practices:
The majority of Kind Karma’s materials are sourced from US and Canadian wholesalers.
While they partner with only reputable ones, their main focus is social impact.
By working with marginalized youth and refugees, Kind Karma is able to provide them with job experience and fair wages that would otherwise be difficult to come by.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Kind Karma provides a guide for taking care of the jewelry for maximum longevity, but also offers repairs.
Community & charitable giving:
In addition to supporting their small team of youth artisans, this artisan jewelry brand regularly supports other charities and homeless shelters.
They also have “kindness days” on which their artisans volunteer in the community and still receive a full day of fair wages.
Melissa Joy Mannin
About Melissa Joy Manning
Price Range: $15–$17,325
The founder behind Melissa Joy Manning is also co-chair for the Council of Fashion Designers of America sustainability committee.
So when you order fair trade gold jewelry from this brand, you’re embracing a conscious collection of pieces that do more than sparkle.
Responsible sourcing, socially responsible practices, and designs that last a lifetime are the foundation of their earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, and anklets.
Their variety of simple yet stylishly chunky Cigar Band rings are eye-catching on any hand. They’d even work well as a sustainable wedding ring.
Melissa Joy Manning’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
Recycled gold and recycled sterling silver get a thumbs up from our planet. The gold is available in 14k, 18k, rose, white and yellow.
Several stones are on offer, too—including sapphire, ruby, and white or black diamonds.
Supply chain & labor practices:
Your handmade jewelry will be created by someone in MJM’s California studio or their design space in New York.
While Melissa Joy Manning is not certified fair trade, they try their best to meet such standards, including pyment of fair wages.
The metals are recycled, the diamonds are all responsibly sourced, and the gemstones are also responsibly sourced when possible (though the jewelry brand transparently recognizes there is still room for error here).
Carbon commitments & green practices:
Have an old ring you want to freshen up?
MJM can make jewelry with any repurposed stones you already have.
Not only do they make made-to-order pieces, but their Green Certified California studio also uses energy-efficient machines, is 100% powered by renewable energy, and practices and recycles whenever possible.
Community & charitable giving:
One of the foremost jewelry brands with a purpose, MJM regularly supports local organizations and projects.
During Earth Week, for example, they donated 10% of all sales to the Clean Water Fund.
Rover & Kin
About Rover & Kin
Price Range: $23–$48
A proudly AAIP women-owned brand, Rover & Kin is a branch of their parent company Koraa.
When founder Wen-Yan King created Rover & Kin she knew all of the jewelry had to have origins as pretty as they look on your finger (or in your ears).
With a long list of responsibly sourced materials, their dainty Teak Beaded Drape Earrings are no different—made of all-natural teak wood and recycled brass.
Rover & Kin’s Ethical & Sustainability Practices
Materials:
You’ll find an incredibly unique array of upcycled or sustainably-sourced materials, like cultured freshwater baroque pearls, recycled brass, sustainable teak wood, and upcycled buffalo horn.
Supply chain & labor practices:
R&K is a proud member of the Fair Trade Federation, meaning their materials are sourced carefully, and the partnerships they hold are held to the highest labor standards.
Everything is ethically handcrafted in India in exchange for fair wages.
Carbon commitments & green practices:
This fair trade jewelry company recently shifted to biodegradable cornstarch packaging.
Community & charitable giving:
Through Grow Ahead, Rover & Kin has planted 350 trees, helping to offset their carbon footprint.
