What is Fast Jewellery?
There has been a lot of talk about fast fashion lately, but what about fast jewellery? Now, it may not trip off the tongue quite so well as ‘fast fashion,’ but the social and environmental impact of fast jewellery is not often talked about, and it really should be. Fast jewellery is a term used to describe inexpensive jewellery that is designed to keep up with current fashion trends, which quickly goes out of style and is then replaced with the newest trend. This type of jewellery is often made from low-quality metal alloys or plastics and tends to be produced in large quantities by manufacturers in developing countries.
The environmental impact of fast jewellery is significant. The production processes for this type of jewellery frequently involves plating base metals with gold or silver. Unfortunately, any type of jewellery that is gold-plated is, by its nature, harmful to the environment. This is because, among other chemicals, cyanide is commonly used in the plating process. Additionally, the low-quality materials used to make fast jewellery are not biodegradable, which means they can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills whilst leaching chemicals into the surrounding environment.
Another concern with fast jewellery is that it is usually produced in developing countries where labour standards may be sub-standard. Workers may be paid low wages and work in unsafe conditions. Lack of proper health and safety standards in the jewellery industry can lead to serious consequences for the workers and their families.
The impact of fast jewellery is not limited to the production process. Because this type of jewellery is inexpensive and made in large quantities it is generally seen as disposable and may be quickly discarded after a few wears, leading to a cycle of constant consumption and waste, which is environmentally damaging.
But there are alternatives to fast jewellery that are more sustainable and better for the environment. Shopping consciously for eco-friendly jewellery can be a great way to support sustainable practices and reduce your environmental impact. Here are some of the best ways to shop consciously for eco-friendly jewellery:
Look for sustainable materials: Choose jewellery made from eco-friendly materials such as recycled metals, sustainably sourced wood or bamboo, or natural and organic materials like cotton, linen, or hemp. Avoid jewellery made from synthetic or non-biodegradable materials.
Buy from ethical and sustainable brands: Choose to purchase jewellery from brands that prioritize ethical and sustainable practices. Look for certifications such as Fair Trade or B-Corp, which ensure that the brand meets specific social and environmental standards.
Support small and local businesses: Consider purchasing from small and local jewellery makers who often prioritise sustainability and ethical practices.
Avoid overconsumption: Think twice before making a purchase, and only buy what you really need. Consider purchasing high-quality pieces that will last for years, rather than low-quality pieces that will need to be replaced frequently.
Look for jewellers like Little Imp, who consider every step of the jewellery making process very carefully from an environmental standpoint. This includes everything from sourcing environmentally friendly shipping and packaging materials, ethically sourced stones, recycled metals, employing eco-friendly bench practices, and small batch production- so that nothing goes to waste.
Fast jewellery has a significant social and environmental impact due to the production process, the use of low-quality materials, and the cycle of constant consumption and waste it creates. To reduce the environmental impact of our jewellery choices, we can choose to make conscious choices as consumers. It's important for all of us to think about what effect the items we are buying are having on the environment and the jewellery we wear should be no different. Every time you choose to purchase jewellery from a sustainable maker, you are helping to make positive changes in the industry.
