In the aftermath of Milan Fashion Week, while sustainable fabrics and silhouettes dominated the spotlight, a chapter often overlooked, such as jewellery, is quietly gaining momentum behind the scenes.
41% of global consumers are interested in responsible jewellery, but only 12% is actually recycled. In Italy, 87% consider sustainable jewellery appealing, although less than half truly understand what it entails.
In a growing market, sustainability in jewellery is emerging as a strategic choice, yet the need for education and transparency in the sector is more pressing than ever.
Sustainability in Jewellery: Change is Underway
Fashion and jewellery have always influenced one another, but today their dialogue is more evident than ever. Jewellery no longer merely completes an outfit; it expresses values, identity, and lifestyle. The global market confirms this trend, and not only on the demand side.
Momentum is also coming from production: 27% of diamond sales now involve lab-grown stones, increasingly perceived as ethical alternatives with a lower environmental impact.
In Italy, 87% of consumers find sustainable jewellery interesting, yet only 40% genuinely understand its meaning.
This highlights that, compared to the well-established discourse on sustainable fashion, there is still considerable room in the jewellery sector for greater consumer education and awareness.
Why Jewellery Must Be Sustainable
Traditional production has significant impacts. A single gold wedding band can generate up to 20 tonnes of toxic waste.
Moreover, recycling remains a challenge. Hundreds of billions of litres of water are used each year, yet only 12% of jewellery is recycled.
The extraction of precious metals consumes vast amounts of water, contributes to deforestation and water pollution, and often involves supply chains with poor labour conditions and exploitation.
Choosing sustainable materials such as recycled metals, lab-grown diamonds, or ethically sourced stones not only reduces environmental impact, but also promotes transparency, responsible supply chains, and tangible benefits for local communities, giving jewellery an ethical as well as aesthetic value.
LBF & Steelship: Sustainable Jewellery Beyond Style
Among the brands bringing sustainability to the forefront of jewellery is LBF, a Brazilian jewellery brand that combines traditional craftsmanship, original design, and sustainable practices. Its pieces feature:
- The use of recycled metals and synthetic gemstones
- Full supply chain traceability
- Artisan techniques such as Renaissance-style lace embroidery
- Made-to-order management, repair programmes, and recyclable packaging
The brand also invests in local impact projects, including collaboration with the RENASCI association, which trains and generates income for women artisans in Brazil’s northeast.
Founded in 2010 by mother and daughter Léia and Brunna Moraes, LBF has grown from a local initiative into an international brand merging design, trends, and sustainability, with a mission to promote female empowerment.
In 2025, the new ‘Steelship’ line was launched to expand this vision into stainless steel with advanced STEELFIX SHINE finishes, delivering both durability and modern innovation, while using a plating process completely free of water contamination.
LBF & Steelship have also obtained the Friend of the Earth certification, an international standard promoted by the World Sustainability Organization that verifies environmental, social, and traceability criteria across the supply chain.
The brands were among thirteen international labels selected by Friend of the Earth to participate in the fourth edition of Beyond the Claim, a collective sustainable fashion show held during the Milan Fashion Week 2025 at the Istituto dei Ciechi in Milan.
They were also presented as a case study in the webinar ‘Sustainable Jewellery: Environmental and Social Impacts, Initiatives and Certifications’, organised by Friend of the Earth on 24 February 2026, with a focus on innovative materials, responsible design, and certification requirements.
Certifications and Regulations: A New Responsibility for the Sector
In an industry without universally recognised standards, the Friend of the Earth certification, an initiative of the World Sustainability Organization, ensures traceability of raw materials, strict environmental and social criteria, and independent audits.
Friend of the Earth sets precise sustainability standards for the fashion industry and guarantees transparency and accountability throughout the supply chain. Through this certification, the WSO aims to guide the sector towards a more conscious future, working with brands that share its values of innovation and sustainability.
With increasingly stringent European regulations, such as the Digital Product Passport, third-party certifications are no longer just a value-added feature. They are a strategic requirement for competing globally, especially in a growing market like sustainable jewellery.
Thinking Beyond the Runway
Sustainability is no longer a detail in the fashion system. It is becoming a genuine strategic axis, and in jewellery it represents the next major evolutionary leap. Projects like LBF & Steelship demonstrate that aesthetics and responsibility are not mutually exclusive. They can coexist, moving beyond simple greenwashing and setting new sector standards.
With events such as the Milan Fashion Week, awareness initiatives led by Friend of the Earth, and the adoption of recognised certifications, sustainable jewellery finally has the opportunity to gain global visibility and engage an increasingly informed and conscious consumer.