We’re delighted to share with you the first ever wedding range from the Fairtrade-certified, Cred Jewellery. And they share with us how to make sure you make an ethical choice with your wedding jewellery…
The playful yet elegant ‘Tying the Knot’ collection is inspired by the romantic notion of two lives entwined, which you can see beautifully from the designs.
London-based designer Annabel Panes, who created the new range, says: “With a mild aesthetic obsession with knots and all things nautical, it seemed like a fun idea to create a range based on the quintessential phrase ‘tying the knot’. The knots I have chosen are memorable, entwined and inseparable, reflecting the essence of everlasting love.”
The range has been created with the whole of the bridal party in mind – including gifts for bridesmaids and mothers-of-the-bride, as well as for the blushing bride herself.
‘Tying the Knot’ is the first collection made in Peru from Peruvian Fairtrade Silver. The silver is mined in the Andes mountains, then taken to the capital city of Lima, where the jewellery pieces are then created in responsible and ethical working conditions.
A guide to buying ethical jewellery
Avoid blood diamonds
We’ve all heard of blood diamonds or conflict diamonds, but how do we know what we’re buying and how do we avoid them? The answer is traceability. Always buy a diamond from a reputable jeweller who can tell you the source of the stone. All diamonds should be certified as conflict-free by the Kimberley Process.
Ask how the jewellery was made
Whilst there’s nothing wrong with mass-produced jewellery, there’s a risk that it has been made in sweat shops or using child labour. Why not choose a bespoke jewellery service, which means you can be involved at every stage of the process and create something unique.
Choose Fairtrade
Fairtrade gold was introduced in 2011 and Fairtrade silver followed in the UK two years later. Buying jewellery made with Fairtrade metals is the only way to ensure that the 100 million families and their dependents involved in small-scale mining are paid fairly for the metals that they mine, a social premium that they can invest back into their communities.
Recycle old jewellery
Take a page out of Kate Middleton’s book, whose diamond and sapphire engagement ring once belonged to her mother-in-law Princess Diana, and remodel existing jewellery. Family heirlooms or broken jewellery can be melted down to create a new piece, which is a much better use of precious silver or gold than gathering dust in your drawers!
Visit an ethical jeweller
The majority of the jewellery industry still doesn’t disclose the provenance of its gold and silver, and wouldn’t be able to tell you where the gold and silver was from, or the working condition for the miners involved. Take the time to find someone who knows what they’re talking about!
With prices for the Fairtrade-approved ‘Tying the Knot’ collection starting from £60, why not get more information from their website? For more gorgeous favour ideas for bridesmaids, we’ve got you sorted.
