Sustainability

Committed to reducing environmental impact

Suffolk landscape of green filds, hedges, trees and blue sky with wispy white clouds. A wooden telephone pole in the foreground.

Creating jewellery with care and integrity is at the core of our work. While we approach the term 'sustainable' in the jewellery industry with thoughtfulness and care, we are deeply committed to reducing our environmental impact and supporting fair labour practices throughout our supply chain. Handcrafting our pieces in the UK gives us greater control, ensuring responsibility and transparency at every stage. We hope to inspire others in the industry to join us in building a more ethical and positive future.

Planet

The natural world has always been integral to Alex’s designs, so it is essential that we run the business with the protection of our planet at the forefront of our minds.

People

From the Alex Monroe team, to the small businesses and suppliers we are able to support and of course you, our valued customers! Everyone is an equally important part of our business.

Product

We continue to challenge the often throwaway nature of modern living, and create personal jewellery to fall in love with, wear, and last a lifetime.

Right from the start I’ve tried to have a positive impact on the world through my jewellery making, and I strive to continue to learn, and to improve how we do things. Jewellery can be so important in people's lives so it is essential to me that the entire process is positive, from design to making, to it being worn. Alex Monroe Founder & Creative Director

Planet

A Sri Lankan rainforest scene, view from amoungst the tree tops. Lot of green trees including palms against a backgrop of vegetation covered mountains shrouded in light mist.

Vintage black bicycle with wicker basket leaning against a tree in the woods, surrounded by green ferns.

Reducing Our Carbon Footprint

Carbon has become the headline indicator for climate change, which is why we have taken ownership of our carbon footprint and are on a mission to reduce our emissions year on year. Throughout this on-going process, we are encouraging our suppliers to follow suit, in the hope of establishing long term change across the industry.

There is no doubt that a jewellery business will have an impact on the environment, but we are actively committed to lessening ours.

Learn About Our Carbon Footprint Work

Alex Monroe collecting single use plastic bottles and food packaging in an organge bag for life.

Reducing Single Use Plastics

Originating from our support of Friends of the Earth’s “Drastic on Plastic” campaign in 2019, we remain committed to reducing the use of virgin plastics wherever we can. We have reluctantly accepted that we cannot do without sealable plastic bags used for the storage of finished pieces - as they are essential for locking out air to prevent tarnish and keeping tangles at bay.

A group of miners in orange jump suits with hard hats posing near a mine entrance.

Precious Materials

Jewellery making doesn’t always go hand in hand with sustainability, particularly regarding the mining of precious metals and gemstones. The Silver and Gold we use is recycled, something that Jewellers have been doing since before the term was invented!

In addition to recycled gold, we also work with the Fairmined Gold initiative, whose certification ensures traceable gold, extracted with the best mining practices aimed at preserving the environment and supporting the development of artisanal and small-scale mining communities.

Wherever possible, we work with stone dealers who source stones mined using responsible practises that will not damage the environment.

A close up on a womans hands as she works on adding facets to a dark green gemstone using hand tools and a flame

Gold Mining Communities

Approximately 20 million people worldwide are engaged in artisanal and small-scale gold mining with over 150 million people, miners, and their families, depending on this activity to make a living. However, Gold mining is often associated with irresponsible practices, unsafe working conditions, gender inequality, poor labour practices, organised crime, and environmental damage.

The Alliance for Responsible Mining work tirelessly to regulate this sector to mitigate against these issues, and for us, using Fairmined Gold is a proactive way of supporting communities and empowering social development alongside better environmental practices.

Mixed metal silver and gold plated hedgehog necklace displayed in a green mossy scene with ivy leaves.

Working with Charities

Our AM Helping Hand initiative ensures we support a diverse range of charities and organisations close to the hearts of our team, and customers. From ongoing donations from collaborative pieces to fundraising through bake sales and half marathons, or dedicated holding online sales, Alex Monroe have proudly raised over £100,000 for deserving causes since 2018.

Hand held out containing a selection of raw coloured sapphires, some white, grey, and shades of yellow.

Ethically Sourced Sapphires

For our fine jewellery collections, we are very proud to work with Wennick-Lefévre who source completely natural, untreated coloured Sapphires mined with responsible mining techniques in Madagascar and Sri Lanka. Wennick-Lefévre understands what the business of precious gemstones can often entail, and one of their key beliefs is that “only a supply chain based on equality and respect can be called responsible.”

A woman wearing a white blouse with subtle blue flower print. She wears a silver baby bee necklace, forget me not bracelet and ring.

Sheet of silver with shapes cutout and silver sewing circle shape being made.

Recycled Silver & Gold

Silver has been used to make jewellery for centuries. It is durable yet easy to work with and great for achieving our signature texture and detail. Our suppliers inform us that the Silver we use to make our pieces is 100% recycled.

Like Silver, Gold always has, and always will be reused and recycled as it is such a precious metal. Most of the 18ct Gold we use in our fine jewellery collections consists of a minimum of 70% recycled metal. We also offer selected styles in certified Fairmined Gold.

Textured solid gold ring being filed on a jewellers bench peg.

Handmade In England

Alex is a huge advocate for keeping traditional skills alive, so from day one, we have always been committed to making our jewellery in England. This also gives us a much shorter supply chain, meaning our carbon footprint will be lower than brands relying on overseas production. We can also monitor quality control in a responsive manner, which alongside our in-house repair service, ensures jewellery is fixed and materials reused rather than scrapped.

Alex Monroe jewellery packaging including sage green jewellery box, branded mailing box, tissue paper and stickers.

Eco Packaging

Like most aspects of our business, our packaging is constantly evolving, with the goal of being as sustainable as possible. We have worked closely with Oyster Packaging to develop boxes that we hope you will keep and use for years to come.

Our boxes are lined with brushed recycled cotton, and the paper used to make them is FSC certified and uncoated, so it can be easily recycled.

This means that all of our boxes are now made from recycled materials, and are recyclable, the only exceptions being older box styles which have magnetic closures, but we will always use up stock to avoid wastage.

In addition, our bags are also made from FSC certified and uncoated paper, right down to the handles - ensuring they are both sturdy for reuse, and completely recyclable.

Womans open hands adorned with various silver and gold Alex Monroe rings, holding a small open gold heart shaped locket with photos inside.

Jewellery To Last A Lifetime

At Alex Monroe, our pieces are designed and made to be worn, loved and treasured, and we are here for you and your jewellery for a lifetime.

We do not offer formal warranties, as a strong part of our brand ethos is the importance of repairing rather than replacing, to lessen our environmental impact.

By choosing to repair your Alex Monroe jewellery you will be cutting carbon emissions by 80% in comparison to purchasing a brand new replacement.

As we make everything in our own workshops, we are here to clean, recondition or repair your pieces - wherever possible and are always on hand to help with any queries or concerns you may have.

Jewellery Care