Green Materials

It's not a secret.

There are no smoke and mirrors. No parlor tricks. No ambiguous terms to hide behind that might disguise the true nature of our materials.

The Eco Key™ reveals the type, quality and ethical property of each component contained within our jewelry. We know you're not used to this kind of honesty. But we believe its the kind of integrity you've deserved all along.

Eco Key™

CODE DESCRIPTION
(R) Recycled Metals and Other Materials
(S) Sustainable, Renewable Materials
(N) Natural, Untreated
(V) Vintage, Reclaimed
(FT1) Advanced Fair Trade: Mine to market
(FT2) Progressive Fair Trade: Material Dealer to market
(FT3) Basic Fair Trade: Production to market
(USA) Made in America


(R) Recycled Metals and Other Materials
With few exceptions, all of our metal components are fashioned using 100% recycled silver and gold. This means there is no new mining involved; all metals are pulled from post-consumer goods already in circulation (x-ray film, silverware). Many of our findings are created in our own studio and most of our silver chain is produced specifically for us, using our recycled metal, by a local family-owned chain maker. Our signature charm is also developed using our own supply of recycled silver, crafted by an artisan producer in the U.S.

There is no difference in alloy or composition between recycled metals and "virgin" metals, except that one causes Acid Mine Drainage, agricultural destruction, community displacement and toxic pollution...and the other does not.

Occasionally we may also work in other recycled materials, such as recycled glass.

(S) Sustainable, Renewable Materials, Fairly Traded
A staple of the Green Diva fashion line, which occasionally also makes its way into the bridal line, are the natural, renewable materials we infuse into our eco-chic designs. We work with fair trade import partners that bring elegant “ivory nut” tagua, colorful chocho seed, acai berry and coconut shell to us through their close relationships with individual families of artisans in South America. Harvested sustainably each year, the artisans skillfully transform these unique organic elements into creative pendants and beads for guilt-free flair. Their talent is encouraged with payment twice the standard market rates for such materials, to ensure that the craft can support complete livelihood and keep these small green businesses alive. Not only are these organic materials seasonally renewable, they also ensure that land and forests with native trees and vegetation, such as in the rainforest region, are preserved by building commerce-related activities around them.

(N) Natural, Untreated
For centuries consumer demand for the right color and clarity in gemstones has resulted in various forms of enhancement, including bleaching, dyeing, filling, heat-treatment, irradiation and more. Frequently, the purpose of such treatments is to remove “flaws” and enhance color. Unfortunately, it is yet to be determined just how safe these processes are for the environment.

Green Diva works exclusively with untreated or safely treated gemstones, pearls and natural materials. Typically untreated gemstones retain a higher market value than their enhanced counterparts and, we believe, that these elements were meant to be showcased in their natural state, where their true beauty and wonder is exposed. Their naturally-occurring inclusions and “impurities” are what give these elements their one-of-a-kind exclusivity. Over-treating a gemstone often strips away its uniqueness and gives it a cookie-cutter appearance. That’s why we’ve selected gemstone partners that cut our gems directly from their natural state without the use of treatments or enhancements. Additionally, our white and multi-color pearls are shipped to us without the use of dyes and heat-treatments and even our black pearls are dyed using un-harmful organic dyes.

(V) Vintage, Reclaimed
Crystals in Green Diva jewelry are taken exclusively from vintage, reclaimed pieces. Unlike the mass-manufactured crystals of today's costume bridal jewelry, vintage glass beads carry a timeless tradition and story with them, bringing character and individuality to the pieces they adorn. By utilizing crystals already in circulation, we are preventing unnecessary manufacturing of new materials, which, often times, comes with a byproduct of factory pollution and industrial waste.

In addition to the crystals in our jewelry, all of the jewelry pouches that come standard with each piece of jewelry are crafted by hand from reclaimed wedding gowns. Additionally, evening and bridal handbags are fashioned using upcycled fabrics from remnants and reclaimed materials.

Fair Trade
Taking care of our planet and our people goes hand in hand, which is why all of our supply partners commit to fair trade policies, either by internal standards or according to a third-party certifier. 

What is Fair Trade?

(FT1) Advanced Fair Trade
Gemstones
The material is tracked from mine to market in one of two ways:
1. Our suppliers can track gems all the way back to the mine and have a significant impact on the mining itself to ensure there is no child labor used, the environment is protected, proceeds do not go to any unethical organizations, workers are paid a fair wage, exact location of where the stone came from is verifiable and the stones are cut in our supplier’s own fair labor cutting workshop which follows these ethical protocols as well.
2. Our suppliers work directly with the miners, who are individual couples and families using old-fashioned, traditional mining methods that have minimal impact on the environment. The miners most often own the land outright and, thus, have a vested interest in maintaining and cultivating it when mining activity has ceased. Our suppliers cut and polish the gemstones themselves.
3.  The gems are sourced directly from the miners themselves, who set their own rates according to the wages they deem appropriate for the work they are doing.  Miners are independent, are in control of their own income and are not at the mercy of corrupt dealer systems.

Precious Metals
Brilliant metalsmiths across the world magically construct some of the most intricate details within our designs. Our fair trade metal suppliers directly employ international craftspeople, paying them fair living wages and offering alternatives to undesirable careers, such as low-wage factory labor and drug farming. In addition to providing jobs, these suppliers also invest in the community by contributing to the building of schools and training facilities as well as funding special education programs. Fair Trade silver is 100% recycled, unless otherwise noted in the product details, and may be sterling, 92.5%, or fine, 99.9% (a more pure form of silver).

(FT2) Progressive Fair Trade
Sustainable Materials
Our partners work directly with local families and artisans in Ecuador and the Amazon, paying twice the market rate for tagua, acai and other natural elements. Often, the purchasing of these elements fully sustains the family. Our suppliers offer additional assistance to these working artisans by providing special tools and initiating other types of projects that provide them income all year round, not just seasonally.

Gemstones
The gem can usually be tracked to an exact mine or a region. Our suppliers purchase directly from rough stone dealers who are socially and environmentally conscience and adhere to Fair Trade protocols. All Fair Trade policies are communicated to the mine through the broker. The stones are cut and polished at our supplier’s strictly fair labor workshop.

Pearls
Pearls in this category are freshwater farmed with no environmental impact and are harvested by workers that are treated well and paid according to the national income average. Pearl farms have been visited in person by our supplier for inspection to ensure all practices meet Fair Trade protocol.

Precious Metals
A small number of our metal pieces, such as marcasite and lobster clasps, are constructed through an outsourced fair trade workshop of one of our silversmith artisan partners. Our partner supplies 100% recycled silver directly to this fair trade workshop, located in the same region, who, in turn, creates these components using special machinery.

(FT3) Basic Fair Trade
Gemstones
Gemstones cannot be tracked to the mine or the dealer. The stones are cut and polished at a few select third-party lapidary workshops internationally that are committed to paying fair wages, providing safety equipment and proper ventilation, not employing child labor under 15 and not permitting excessively long days. Our suppliers have personally inspected workshops and have long-standing relationships with them. Our suppliers of FT3 gemstones also contribute to impoverished communities in such countries as Tibet, Ghana and Ecuador by paying for expensive surgeries, funding tuition costs of worker's children and investing in local trade schools.

(USA) Made in America
The most reliable way to ensure that goods are developed in a manner that meets our own standards is to develop them close to home. Our custom silver chain, earwire and signature charms are all made right here in the U.S. using our own recycled sterling, fine and Argentium silver. We work with small artists and family-owned businesses primarily. On occasion, we may order a small number of components from a larger manufacturer who does produce the items in-house and does not offshore the labor.