Organic Jewelry
It seems a bit of an oxymoron to say “Organic Jewelry” because at the heart of things, the majority of jewelry is inherently organic. Most jewelry found in jewelry stores is made from natural materials from the earth such as metal and stone, as well as naturally grown materials such as hemp and wood. The materials are safely harvested with special care not to disturb life’s natural balance. Often, crops are grown specifically to be used for jewelry, therefore making them ecologically friendly. These types of crops include hemp, bamboo and other exotic woods. Organic jewelry making often employs recycling to obtain raw materials, instead of seeking new. Cast-offs from leather cutting productions and re-melting of precious metals cut down on consumer waste, ultimately creating a more eco-friendly product. In place of expensive stones, seeds, horn, bone and reclaimed sea glass are often used as the centerpiece to further create a more reasonably priced piece of jewelry.
That said, it seems that maybe the important issue becomes more the manner in which the jewelry is produced and not so much about the materials; having already established that most jewelry making supplies are natural materials. Let’s consider the place of artisan jewelry in today’s market. How does jewelry production become organic? It’s all about quality, not quantity. Organic jewelry is socially responsible jewelry, created by artisans, one piece at a time. In some parts of the world, artisans make it their life’s work to do a trade that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Consider the masters of hand-made, organic jewelry: the indigenous people of Bali, Indonesia. Popular legends teach that the Balinese extensive knowledge of jewelry making was a gift from the gods, explaining the breathtaking splendor of their detailed work. Primarily metal workers, the Balinese people have been producing their incredibly intricate designs for thousands of years upon thousands of years. Early records indicate that they favored bronze around 1000 AD, but later moved to silver and gold, while remaining true to their families’ age old designs. Today, we see silversmiths and other metal workers gathering in the village of Celuk, which has become a bit of an Indonesian version of an artist’s retreat.
It is this type of detailed, artisan quality work like that of the Balinese people that gives an accurate description of true organic jewelry. It comes from the land, but does not harm it. It enriches people’s lives and helps others to make a living. Organic jewelry is a necessary part of the world’s economy.
That said, it seems that maybe the important issue becomes more the manner in which the jewelry is produced and not so much about the materials; having already established that most jewelry making supplies are natural materials. Let’s consider the place of artisan jewelry in today’s market. How does jewelry production become organic? It’s all about quality, not quantity. Organic jewelry is socially responsible jewelry, created by artisans, one piece at a time. In some parts of the world, artisans make it their life’s work to do a trade that has been passed down from generation to generation.
Consider the masters of hand-made, organic jewelry: the indigenous people of Bali, Indonesia. Popular legends teach that the Balinese extensive knowledge of jewelry making was a gift from the gods, explaining the breathtaking splendor of their detailed work. Primarily metal workers, the Balinese people have been producing their incredibly intricate designs for thousands of years upon thousands of years. Early records indicate that they favored bronze around 1000 AD, but later moved to silver and gold, while remaining true to their families’ age old designs. Today, we see silversmiths and other metal workers gathering in the village of Celuk, which has become a bit of an Indonesian version of an artist’s retreat.
It is this type of detailed, artisan quality work like that of the Balinese people that gives an accurate description of true organic jewelry. It comes from the land, but does not harm it. It enriches people’s lives and helps others to make a living. Organic jewelry is a necessary part of the world’s economy.