Gemstones are at the heart of much of today’s jewelry. I aim to shed light on their formation, history, and how to buy them responsibly, respecting both nature and human rights. However, there’s a crucial component that must not be overlooked, one that is entwined with many social and environmental issues: gold.
It’s easy to buy gold jewelry at your local supermarket or online, but many forget where gold comes from and how problematic it can be. Just like many unregulated gemstones, gold mining often leads to significant environmental degradation, including deforestation, habitat destruction, and water pollution, and poses serious social challenges, such as displacing communities, exploiting labor, and contributing to conflict and human rights abuses.
The good news is this is up to us to push the industry in the right direction ! And this is exactly what this brand has been doing.
Meet Futura Jewelry And How They Strive For Change
Futura Jewelry was founded by Bob Donofrio, a veteran with over 30 years of experience in the luxury jewelry industry. The idea for Futura Jewelry emerged from Donofrio’s realization of the severe environmental impact caused by traditional gold mining, particularly the extensive use of toxic chemicals like mercury and cyanide. Donofrio established New York based Futura Jewelry with the mission to produce luxury jewelry sustainably and ethically?.
Fairmined Ecological Gold And Commitment
Futura is recognized as the first brand (and only luxury brand) launching a jewelry collection entirely made from Fairmined Gold Ecological certified gold. This label is currently the most complete when it comes to ecology, traceability, rehabilitation, workers’ safety and many more. In other words, Fairmined Gold Ecological labelled gold is one of the absolute best ethical gold you can find right now.
The brand publicly shares details on their gold sourcing from three mines in Peru and Mongolia. These mines are, for now, the only three certified Fairmined Gold Ecological.
Futura Jewelry is also a partner of the Alliance For Responsible Mining and UNEP’s Global mercury Partnership.
Craftsmanship
Futura’s workshop is located in New York City and this is where all jewelry is manually created by master jewelers, renowned for their work since 1954. From test designs to gold crafting, smelting and polishing, all is done locally from this workshop.
They also provide sustainable New Zealand wood packaging from GIVEPackaging (seen two pictures above).
The Brand Range
The brand’s collection ranges from contemporary, wedding and iconic pieces to younger zodiac necklaces and stackable ring. It’s nice to note that they also have a men jewelry selection with rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
The prices start under 900€ for a few rings and their iconic Heron of Hope Pendant and can go over 20 000€ for Icons pieces such as the Amulet Necklace.
Interesting fact: their Icon line is born from a collaboration with global jewelry historians from places like the MET, the Louvre or the Acropolis to research and design historical pieces. Although I can afford none of them (I’ll definitely post a personal review if I ever do), I absolutely love the idea of reviving antiquity or middle-age era designers ! I sampled a few of them beneath so you could see !
So what do you think? Did you already know this brand? Is it obvious that I am really into the Heron of Hope Pendant but I really can’t buy it right now? ? Also do you like zodiac jewelry as I do (Aries ?)? Tell me in the comments !
Disclaimer: This post in not sponsored. I do not accept sponsorships as I wish to handpick ethical and committed brands to share with you. I have personally reached out to Futura Jewelry and may receive a comission if you appreciate this brand and decide to purchase a piece through my website. As I do not show ads for the same reasons as I do not accept sponsorships, this is the only way for me to be paid for my work. However, I will never push for purchase and only wish to highlight brands that, in my opinion, deserve it. Buying ethical jewelry should be a positive act and should never put you at risk financially. I intend to recommend committed brands for all budgets and style so hang tight.
Lauréline Colliard FGA
FGA Gemmologist, graduate of London's prestigious Gem-A Academy (and former lead 3D animator in the video game industry). Her focus is on research, the ethics of gemstones and their environmental and social impact, and the protection and education of gemstone buyers and enthusiasts.
