Sustainable philosophy

Utopian Creations was founded on the idea of creating jewellery sustainably. From our retail studio, Studio Eco, we endeavour to protect the world’s ecology while still producing beautiful jewellery that can be treasured for years to come. Our ethical standards are far higher than most. We go further than just focusing on the source of our metals and gems by pushing the boundaries of eco-jewellery, developing new ways of using less energy, chemicals and waste.

 


At Utopian Creations there are a number of sustainable manufacturing practices we employ to protect the planet, its people and animals:

  • 100% recycled metals, Platinum, Palladium, Gold and silver;
  • Choice of vintage, antique and carefully chosen, traceable newly mined diamonds and gems;
  • 100% wind power used in our workshop and retail store;
  • 100% post consumer veggie printed packaging with certified organic cotton pouch;
  • Carbon offset all transport, postage and energy used by our website with Climate Positive;
  • Animal free manufacturing processes (normal jewellery manufacturing uses animal based polishing compounds and tools made from leather);
  • Certified organic handmade polishing wheels;
  • Eco-friendly, biodegradable chemicals used in manufacturing and general store cleaning. No chemicals that need special disposal like the nasty acids normally used;
  • No rhodium plating due to the strong acids used. We use the highest quality white gold that is naturally a beautiful white colour so doesn’t need to be plated anyway. Rhodium plating was introduced as a way to cover poor coloured white gold which is typically created using cheap metals. We believe this is dishonest and leads to mistrust of the jewellery industry;
  • Store/studio fit out completed using 95% recycled materials and eco-paints;
  • Recycling of all manufacturing and general waste;
  • 1% of all profits made from diamond sales are donated to Oxfam and a monthly donation is also given to the Australian Conservation Foundation;
  • We offset all carbon produced from postage and travel.

 

Sustainability in design is an ideal that allows us to enjoy ourselves now without harming our own future or that of those who come after us.

Sustainable, ethical, eco-friendly jewellery is an evolving sector and we do our best to provide this service to our customers by spending our time building relationships with ethical diamond and gem suppliers and researching new technologies. We are always on the lookout for new materials and waste products that can be reused, recycled or the ideal solution, upcycled.

The word upcycle may be new to most, it was first used in the book Cradle to Cradle, first published in 2002, written by William McDounough & Michael Braungart. Upcycling is the taking of a material normally discarded and moving it up the resource chain away from the rubbish tip.

An excellent example of upcycling at work is the retrieval of silver from the waste streams of the photographic and other technological industries. The silver is moved from the waste pile, up the resource chain to one of the world’s least discarded items, precious metal jewellery. This keeps the silver, a remarkable, completely recyclable metal in circulation. The higher the demand for recycled material the more will be reclaimed from refuse, which leads to less landfill and less mining.


As with factory farming and greenhouse warming, people are starting to take notice of the worldwide implications of our actions. The best part is that there are products already available, products that increase the circulation of materials instead of retiring them to an early grave.

Sustainable jewellery?


The choice is entirely yours…