Eco-friendly personally commissioned necklace: fine silver, argentium silver and turquoise
Even I was shocked again when brushing up on my facts about the environmental effects of mining to write this piece. In this society, we all sometimes choose to be ignorant. Not one of us is innocent of falling victim to this fated idea that “ignorance is bliss”. Some of us even hold on to it. I heard once, in one of my college courses, that if you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.
To be clear, I’M NOT PROMOTING NEGATIVE ENERGY HERE, BUT INSTEAD TRYING TO SUMMON UP WITHIN YOU A DIRE NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE IN THE WORLD, NO MATTER HOW SMALL. Working in an industry that has largely been built upon the destruction and excavation of the earth, I am beyond thrilled that a company like Hoover and Strong exists and gives me the opportunity to do what I love without compromising any of my values.
Hoover and Strong has been providing jewelers, like myself, with precious metals and gems, while delivering other products and services for many years. The company is actually in the middle of celebrating their 100th year! H & S’s commitment to protecting the Earth is awe-inspiring and refreshing, especially considering how large of a company they really are. Excerpted from their website*, “The Gold Standard”…
Hoover & Strong is an avid supporter of the ‘green’ movement and feels it is their social, environmental and moral obligation to produce beautiful products in a way that does not destroy the earth’s resources or its people. In an industry where all products come from the Earth, and the production of 1 GOLD RING CAN PRODUCE 5 TONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL WASTE, they believe that conserving energy and recycling metals are crucial and necessary steps that must be taken.
Throughout the Hoover & Strong factory, processes have been instituted that conserve energy and re-use materials. Additionally, all precious metals at Hoover & Strong including gold, platinum, palladium, silver are 100% recycled. Hoover & Strong does not buy mined metals. Over half their metal supply comes entirely from scrap metal purchased from jewelers. The remainder comes from other refineries that also recycle scrap metal. These recycled precious metals paired with conflict-free diamonds and fair trade gemstones make up Hoover & Strong’s Harmony brand of products and services. From their internal processes to the creation of their products, ALL COMPANY DECISIONS ARE BASED ON ETHICAL AND RESPONSIBLE CHOICES THAT WILL POSITIVELY IMPACT THE WORLD.
There is nothing but positive things for me to say about this company, and the idea and execution of such an amazing vision in general! We have entered a time where all of our choices (under most circumstances), should be made as consciously as possible, and furthermore, most of the information that we need to be able to inform ourselves and make the personal decisions as to what is important to us, is right at our fingertips! I was blessed enough to be taught metal working by two great women and the second one, Kelly Malec-Kozak, informed me and the rest of my peers about H & S! Now you’re the lucky one because I’m passing the information along to you! It is up to you what you do with this information; simply absorb it and be aware, pass the knowledge along to others, even researching the companies that you are buying your jewelry from and asking them where they get their raw materials.
There are other great options for us, as well, to get glam and not add to the destruction of the Earth. Many new and independent jewelry designers are now incorporating some, if not all, green methods to their processes. Here is a great blog that highlights some of these designers on Etsy.
I’m developing a new series based on a project done in college that I hope you keep an eye out for! Donated jewelry will be turned into completely new pieces, using the minimum amount of equipment (thus saving energy) needed.
Pictured here is a piece where I join my chains with a pair of donated earrings, making one singular statement earring, that was accomplished in the project mentioned above.
The rubies in this third eye skull I took from a found vintage bracelet.
So before you step out the door for your next shopping spree, please take a second to remember to try and make the most conscious jewelry purchases possible for you.
Be conscious to be glamorous, inside and out!!!!
