Ethics & Sustainability at Eleanor Johnson Jewellery

At Eleanor Johnson Jewellery, every design begins with a promise: to create beauty with conscience. My pieces are not fast fashion — they are high-quality, sustainable jewels made to last a lifetime. Each ring, pendant or earring is designed as a modern heirloom: meant to be touched, worn, loved, and passed on to future generations.

All my jewellery is handmade in my home in the Forest of Dean using the ancient technique of lost-wax casting, with support from a trusted casting house in Birmingham. I create both custom jewellery and upcycled jewellery, alongside one-of-a-kind and made-to-order designs. This means every jewel is crafted slowly and meaningfully, with artistry poured into every detail.

I only work with recycled silver and gold, removing the need for new mining, and source gemstones from reputable UK suppliers with long-standing relationships at the mines. While the gemstone industry cannot always guarantee perfect transparency, I make informed choices, selecting stones with the most ethical provenance possible. I also embrace lab-grown gemstones, which are chemically identical to mined stones but come without the same ethical concerns.

For me, sustainability is also about storytelling. By reimagining old gemstones through my upcycling service, or creating custom designs filled with personality, I ensure that jewellery holds meaning, avoids waste, and reflects individuality. Each finished piece is carefully set, polished, and imbued with a little fairytale magic — a jewel to treasure forever.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is sustainable jewellery?

Sustainable jewellery means creating pieces that are kind to both people and the planet. At Eleanor Johnson Jewellery, this includes using recycled silver and gold, ethically sourced or lab-grown gemstones, and handmade processes that avoid mass production. Each jewel is designed to last a lifetime rather than contribute to throwaway culture.

What is upcycled jewellery?

Upcycled jewellery is when old or unworn jewellery is transformed into something new and meaningful. I can reuse your existing gemstones or metals to craft a fresh design, giving your materials a second life while keeping their sentimental value. It’s one of the most sustainable ways to create jewellery, as it avoids new mining and celebrates personal history.

Is lab grown jewellery sustainable?

Lab-grown gemstones are chemically identical to mined stones but created in a controlled environment. They avoid the ethical concerns of gemstone mining while offering the same beauty and durability. Choosing lab-grown gems is an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative for custom jewellery.

Where is Eleanor Johnson Jewellery made?

All of my jewellery is handmade in my home in the Forest of Dean . I also work with a trusted casting house in Birmingham to cast my wax-carved designs into recycled silver and gold. Every piece is then finished, polished, and set by hand.

Why choose handmade jewellery over fast fashion jewellery?

Handmade jewellery is crafted slowly, with care and artistry, using high-quality and sustainable materials. Fast fashion jewellery, by contrast, is mass-produced, often with poor labour conditions and cheap, non-durable materials. My pieces are designed as modern heirlooms — made to be worn, loved, and passed down through generations.

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