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Earrings have been a popular adornment throughout history, but the boom of overconsumption and ultra fast fashion has led to poorly-made earrings that will end up in the trash after just a few wears. Here are our picks for more sustainable earrings made by responsible brands.
Do earrings the right way
Adorning our ears can be tricky at the best of times. We have to decide if we want to layer small hoops with larger ones, maybe fit some studs in between, or rock an ear cuff. Not to mention matching our earrings with our vibe and sense of style. At times, the sheer amount of shapes and sizes and colours earrings come in can feel overwhelming. Most of us can remember a time when purchasing a pair of earrings was a novelty, often given as a gift during celebrations and momentous occasions. With the dawn of fast fashion and ever-accelerating trends, we are drawn and even expected to spend more often, leaving us with poorly made, tarnished pieces that may end up in a landfill—the opposite of sustainable.
While this can all feel a bit daunting, thankfully the increasing global focus on sustainability in the fashion industry has also raised questions about the environmental impacts and ethics of the earrings we wear. From what kind of gold or silver was used to whose hands touched it, this ultimate guide is here to bridge that gap, bringing you a shining list of brands that create beautiful, more ethical, and sustainable earrings, and have all been rated “Good” or “Great” by us.
Below you can find minimal and organic waterpool studs by Emma Aitchison Jewellery @ Rêve En Vert (UK), affordable and ethically sourced everyday pull-through hoops by boma (US), and if you’re looking for something futuristic, All Blues (Sweden) turn ear cuff is effortless, cool, and made from recycled 925 sterling silver. With that, happy browsing.
