The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. We earn a commission when you purchase products or services through some of the links provided. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.

After years of wearing sustainable jewelry brands, I’m sharing my personal favorites for ethical, quality pieces at a variety of price points for gifting or for yourself. 💍


Despite loving the idea of wearing jewelry, I historically haven’t managed to put it on in the morning. Since I don’t like sleeping in it and I don’t like bracelets and rings clanking on the computer as I work, it only makes it out of my jewelry box for special occasions.

But something always seems to be missing from my personal style. I wear mostly basics, and my wardrobe is begging for some accessories to make it feel interesting. Everyone who has a sense of style I admire seems to have a unique signature stack of necklaces, rings, or earrings dialed. It’s like these pieces become a part of them, adding a layer of personality to everything they wear. And I do really like this look and wonder how it could pull my outfits together.

“As I’ve been building out my jewelry collection, I’ve been thinking about the meaning and power of wearing natural precious materials.”

When I got the chance to test 11 ethical jewelry brands and build out my own stacks, I jumped on it. It was rare to experiment across so many different brands and styles all at once. And after trying on so many pieces, I was surprised by what I ended up loving — gravitating towards more whimsical and colorful pieces rather than just classics. When I found jewelry that I actually loved, wearing them all day — even to bed — was way less annoying than I expected. And my personal style is definitely coming together because of it.

As I’ve been building out my jewelry collection, I’ve been thinking about the meaning and power of wearing natural precious materials — gold, diamonds, gems, and stones. Adorning yourself is one of the most ancient human experiences there is. And my friend Sarah Perlis, a jewelry designer featured below, has taught me about the intentionality and sacred experience that jewelry can hold. She believes that nature is our greatest teacher, and that we can wear these gems as a “reminder of who we truly are — luminous, unique, sparkling.”

I like that idea. Making jewelry a part of your self-love ritual, choosing pieces with intention, letting them become talismans for everyday wear.

My daily stack after testing:

After genuinely wearing and testing all the pieces listed below to sleep, to shower, working from home, Pilates, dinners, and even to a wedding, here are my favorites — my everyday stack — either all together or mixed and matched!

A person wearing layered gold necklaces with pendants and an emerald, along with a gold ring with a small stone, rests their hand on their chest over a white ribbed top.
Pictured here are my favorite jewelry pieces I’ve been wearing daily!

Rings

Necklaces:

Earrings:

Our criteria & methodology:

Our team has fallen in love with dozens of ethical and sustainable jewelry brands over the years. For this review, we pooled together our experience to select brands, and I put all of them to the test. For months, I tried pieces from each of the brands — wearing them to work, out on the town, to workout classes, and even in the shower and to bed.

Below, I’ve ranked my favorites based on how well they stand up to daily wear, as well as giving them points for style, originality, and affordability. We update this list regularly with emerging favorites that meet our criteria below.

  • SUSTAINABLY SOURCED MATERIALS | Each of these sustainable jewelry brands prioritizes the use of recycled metals, conflict-free diamonds, and responsibly sourced gemstones, including noting their traceability, provenance, and origins where available.
  • QUALITY/DURABLE | We’ve tested and can confirm that each of these jewelry items are made with high quality materials, can be worn on the daily, and will stand the test of time.
  • ETHICAL | We’re carefully selected jewelry brands that follow ethical practices, including fair labor, fair trade, and the Kimberley Process.
  • AFFORDABLE | We’ve included brands on the list that are fairly priced at an accessible price point that reflects the true quality of the pieces.