I don’t believe that jewellery can ever wholly be ethical or sustainable.
Taking raw inputs from the earth by mining precious metals and gems affects the environment all over the world. Not to mention, there are so many consumables that go into making jewellery. During the making and finishing process using chemicals and non-renewable inputs are unavoidable.
I do my best to minimise my impact by producing items of jewellery that are wearable beyond seasons. Through thoughtful design and a high level of craftswomanship, I ensure that my jewellery endures.
I make all the jewellery produced under my name ‘Lori Hakim’ in my studio, no offshore production. To bring my pieces to life, I use local suppliers and independent tradespeople in fields such as stone setting and casting.
Through my workshop practices, I use inputs with minimal impact on the environment. Where possible, I use recycled metal and prefer to use synthetic stones. I collect all offcuts and lemel (metal dust) for refining in the future. If I can avoid using a chemical, I will, and if I do use them, I dispose of them according to best practice.
I am always looking for ways to improve and adapt – this is a constant for any responsible designer.