How to choose quality and sustainable jewelry (an honest guide)

Many jewelry brands look the same online. But under the surface, they are very different. Here is what to look at before you buy.

Material: recycled or newly mined?

Silver and gold can be recycled many times without losing quality. So a piece made from recycled silver is just as real and durable as one made from newly mined silver. The difference is that no new mining was needed. Mining metals harms the environment a lot. It damages nature on site. And it uses dangerous chemicals like cyanide and mercury. So recycled material is one of the easiest ways to lower the impact of a piece of jewelry, without giving up quality or looks.

But check how much is actually recycled. Many brands write "partly recycled" without saying if it is 10% or 90%. At MNOP, all our silver and gold is 100% recycled. Read more about why solid, recycled metal is better for the environment here.

Stock or made to order?

To protect the earth’s resources, it is important not to make more than you need. The further away production happens, the longer the transport takes. And the more you have to guess how much of each model you will sell. With production in Sweden, you can refill stock step by step. You only make what actually sells. This year we have not had to discount a single product to clear old stock. Last year it was around thirty pieces. That is a very small part of all we make.

Can you trust the word "sustainable" in marketing?

Many brands write about how important sustainability is to them. It is easy to be swayed by nice words. But take a step back. Look at what they say in concrete terms. Where are the products made? And which things are simply legal requirements, not something special? For example, REACH is a rule that every jewelry brand in the EU must follow. It is nothing to be proud of. It is a minimum requirement. Read about our sustainability work here.