February 2008 | Features
Valentine’s Day Gift Guide
Bestowing your beloved with conflict diamonds and dirty gold is hardly the best way to say “I love you.” Instead, why not opt for one of the mindful bedazzlers listed here. And if bling isn’t in your budget, but you’re still emotionally-attached to V-Day gift cliches, we’ve lined up a few other ethical expressions of affection.
by Jessica Ridneour
Guilt-free Gilt
greenKarat recognizes the damage inflicted on the environment from destructive gold and diamond mining practices, which is why they only use man-made and recycled diamonds and recycled precious metals. Their myKarat program encourages consumers to recycle broken and unused jewelry for store credit. The Vinea ring ($825) is 100 percent post consumer recycled 18k white or yellow gold, available in two widths. greenkarat.com
Commit to the one you love AND to responsible social and environmental values with a ring from San Francisco-based Brilliant Earth. This Platinum Seacrest ring ($1,050 without center stone; $6,500 with center stone) is certified conflict-free, hailing from Canadian mines that promote fair labor practices and environmental sustainability. Five percent of Brilliant Earth’s profits benefit African communities harmed by the diamond mining industry. brilliantearth.com
Jeweler Kirsten Muenster strives to create “wearable landscapes” by integrating the Japanese aesthetic of wabi sabi (the observation and appreciation of the natural cycle of life) with found objects, ethically sourced stones and repurposed vintage materials. This necklace is fashioned from recycled sterling silver, druzy quartz, a vintage glass button and fossilized dinosaur bone. Due to the one-of-a-kind nature of Muenster’s designs, prices are available only upon request. kirstenmuenster.com
Established jewelry designers Page Neal and Anna Bario joined forces to create Rust-Belt, a line devoted to repurposed materials and eco-conscious practices. Their Sisal Blue ($192) is a vintage enameled chain with a sterling silver clasp packaged in a repurposed glass bottle. Neal and Bario hope to educate others about the issues surrounding the jewelry industry on their blog at rust-belt.org.
Monique Péan uses 100 percent recycled gold and ancient fossilized ivory for her luxury Bering collection. Ten percent of her proceeds go to the Alaska Native Arts Foundation to raise awareness of Alaska native art and culture and the environmental issues they face. These Fjord Ivory Diamond Earrings are conflict-free with sustainably-harvested (ie. found) walrus ivory. Price available upon request. moniquepean.com
The Palma Collection is artisan-crafted from nontoxic, sustainable “vegetable ivory,” which comes from the nut of a rare South American palm, harvested only after it naturally falls from the tree. This Hosono ($36) necklace features vibrant vegetable dyed tagua nut slices strung on a faux suede cotton strap. palmacollection.com
Gwendolyn Davis is “interested in fashion as a vehicle for a more ethical world.” Her Verde Rocks line is a collection of “nouveau vintage” bracelets, necklaces and other goodies created from recycled and organic materials. The Glass Nugget Cuff ($89) is vintage brass adorned with a mosaic of recycled glass pieces. gwen-davis.com
Much of Virginia-based Moonrise Jewelry’s wares are handmade by local artists using fairly traded, ethically sourced gemstones or renewable, recycled or reclaimed materials. These Tupelo Earrings ($68) are fair trade citrine and 24K gold vermeil. moonrisejewelry.com
With “water wars” on the not-so-distant horizon, eco designer Linda Loudermilk thinks it’s about time people start paying attention. Her Water is a Human Right collection donates a generous portion of purchase proceeds to the YEW Foundation to support organizations with clean water initiatives. She’s constructed this faucet necklace ($79) from reclaimed silver in hopes of raising money and awareness. lindaloudermilk.com
Tarma Designs offer an alternative to gold and silver mining with their Active Collection, featuring artistic expressions of outdoor activities forged in recycled stainless steel. This Spiral Pendant ($25) was inspired by an Anasazi petroglyph signifying water. tarmadesigns.com
Va-Va-Voom
Enamore’s Saucy lingerie collection is produced in the UK from the finest organic hemp, soy, cotton, silk and hand-selected vintage fabrics. Say hello to sexy and goodbye to unsustainable. enamore.co.uk
Recently launched, Urban Fox’s handmade, eco-friendly undie sets are soft, silky and flirtatious. There won’t be any problem coming-hither with these garter belts. urbanfoxeco.com
Melt in Your Mouth
Seattle’s Theo Chocolate pioneered the organic chocolate movement in 1994, and they’ve been raising the bar (fair-trade cacao, of course) ever since. Their award-winning “single-origin” bars showcase the terroir of cacao-growing regions like Madagascar and Ghana while the aphrodisiac truffle line features herbs and spices to put you in the mood for love. theochocolate.com
We tried CocoaVino, and believe us when we say: so should you. Feed your lover some of this NYC-based duo’s regional, sustainable and organic artisanal chocolates and truffles -— like the olive oil bonbons with hazelnut and sea salt — and revel in the good vibes. cocoavino.com
At Grocer’s Daughter, Mimi and co. use organic cream, locally- grown organic fruit, homegrown herbs, high quality nuts and seeds and Rainforest Alliance-certified premium cacao to concoct confections that are heaven on earth (or, more specifically, Michigan). grocersdaughter.com
Flower Power
Organic Bouquet The Internet’s first eco-florist and certainly the widest selection of made-to-order organic bouquets shipping nationally. We’re digging on the Calla Lillies. organicstyle.com
California Organic Flowers Each morning they rise early to pick your flowers from their farm in Chico. Then they carefully pack the certified organic bouquets and deliver next day anywhere in the continental USA. Californiaorganicflowers.com
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