FOCUS: Recycled Jewellery

 

Walk into most high street fashion retailers and you will invariably find them awash with low cost jewellery and accessories and if there is a sale on, many of these items will be priced as low as £1. These stores are undeniably supplying a demand from customers of all age ranges, who wish to buy into current fashion trends or pick up a new look for an occasion, both quickly and cheaply.

 

 

Costume jewellery, as opposed to fine jewellery, has always existed, but these days it is often so mass-produced, from inferior quality materials, that it has become truly disposable. So, when it inevitably breaks or becomes less fashionable, it is easy to throw away something that cost less than a cup of coffee.

 

While the fashion industry is not as large a contributor to landfill compared to say the electronics industry, it is just one area where more could be done to discourage waste and encourage recycling. One jewellery designer, Louise Hall of Lumoi, is trying to tackle this problem in her own way.

 

 

Louise originally worked in London's jewellery quarter Hatton Garden and became intrigued by the intricate processes involved in handmade jewellery production. She began exploring these techniques herself, taking broken jewellery apart and working it into something new and in January 2008, she launched her own online ethical range, Lumoi Jewellery. 

 

Lumoi offers a recycling service, whereby anyone can send in their broken or unwanted jewellery and, when it has been assessed, they are offered a price for it. If agreeable, they will be sent a voucher for that amount, which can be redeemed on new stock at Lumoi.

 

 

“I would estimate 70% across all of our ranges is recycled” says Louise. “The percentage is increasing as our recycling service takes off and I'm able to work the recycled parts into my designs. The fine silver (PMC) I work with in my alchemy and bridal range is recycled and reclaimed from scraps, x-ray and film plates. Many of the designs in my chromatic range have been made using beads and chain sent in to our recycling service."

 

 

 

Louise has always been interested in re-using items and feels every industry should be looking to reduce waste no matter how large or small a contributor it is. 

 

“Growing up, I loved to search the house and garden for things I could find to turn into something new. As a self confessed hoarder, I also re-use all of our jars, cardboard, old packaging and material to be put to as many uses I can think of. From using the wire frame from a fan as a fruit bowl, to using our old clothes to create lids for our recycled jars, which we use for our jewellery packaging.”

 

 

Louise believes consumers are already more aware of the environmental impact of mass production so more people are seeking out the eco-option. However, she feels more businesses need to lead by example and echo a positive message that re-cycling is not just sensible, but necessary. 

 

“The major brands and retailers can help by stocking more ethical ranges of jewellery from independent artisans for the eco-conscious fashionistas out there. I would also encourage more businesses to consider offering up-cycling/recycling services as this will continue the trend.  We're all moving in the right direction.”

 

For more information and to check out the Lumoi Jewellery range visit:

 

For more information on choosing sustainable jewellery visit: