Our sustainability initiatives.
We believe in the enduring quality of handcrafted & custom made jewellery. We are committed to keeping the social and environmental revolution flowing; reducing waste, inviting minimalism, and creating more mindfulness in our purchasing habits.
Susan values transparency and education when working with both customers and suppliers. Consideration of all social and environmental aspects of the business are our highest priority. From the materials, to the production methods, and looking to the wider community, we are striving to be better and do better, always.
Production Methods
Susan specialises in extremely small scale, one-off and bespoke pieces. They are all made in-house by her, using traditional hand fabrication methods. Remodelling old precious metals and gemstones makes up approximately 40% of our bespoke makes. New makes are thoroughly considered, high-end fabrication, requiring commitment and thoughtfulness from both the customer’s and the maker’s point of view.
We only use solid precious metals, no vermeil or plated base metals are used (apart from occasional rhodium plating on white gold for repairs) which means no chemicals use or treatments, and ensuring the longevity of our products.
Susan has many years experience with restoration, repairs or remodelling of any jewellery that requires some TLC or an overhaul. She is happy to discuss the many options that are available to help give new life to antique, very worn and broken jewellery.
We value and appreciate working with gemstones and elements from pieces that may be past being repaired or for sentimental reasons.
Precious Metals
We understand that the terms ‘recycled’ and ‘ethical’, when it comes to precious metals, are everywhere at the moment. We also understand that the world of precious metal alloys is extremely scientific, global, and somewhat of a ‘grey’ area. Put it this way, there is no jeweller we’re aware of who does not recycle their precious metals. It would be like throwing cash in the bin. There’s a whole separate Australian and New Zealand industry to facilitate the refining of precious metals back into pure metals, which then get recycled again into fresh alloys to use.
For new makes, Susan uses very specific, high-grade fabrication alloys for her pieces. These are made from the cyclical process of refining and re-alloying, some of which may include a very small percentage of freshly mined alluvial metals. Our alloy supplier is an active member of the Responsible Jewellery Council.
Susan is also highly experienced in repurposing old golds during the remodelling process, and is happy to explore recycling customer’s unworn gold for their new piece.
Gemstones
The diamonds used in Susan’s pieces are conflict free, and most often Australian mined Argyle type. She is well known for championing Australian sapphires, and other responsibly sourced coloured gems, and for supporting and collaborating with our country’s world class gem cutting talent and small businesses. Some of which mine and cut themselves, are specialists in Australian type gemstones, or are accredited ethical members of the International Colored Gemstone Association.
There is an abundance of information we can’t include right here on all of the gemstone specifics, but Susan is open to answering any questions or concerns about gemstones throughout the enquiry process.
Susan prefers to use natural, untreated gems wherever possible, and is admittedly a little skeptical on the true environmental cost of lab grown stones, and consequently, any kind of ‘flooding’ of the consumerist market as a result of them. She also loves to be able to recycle customer’s gemstones during the remodelling process.
Gemstone origin and source information will be readily given whenever possible.
Noosa Studio
We are an eco-minded, forward thinking space. Susan has used predominantly vintage, recycled and up-cycled furniture and displays for our consultation space and gallery workshop.
We prioritise and monitor thoughtful waste management, recycling of supplier packaging, and bio-safe cleaning products. All of our postage materials and point of sale material is proudly plastic free and compostable or recyclable. Postage services are carbon offset.
Our product packaging is plastic free, sturdy, and beautiful so that it is cherished and can be used for ongoing storage of your precious piece.
Our Team
Susan runs her business as a ‘Company Of One’ methodology and philosophy, meaning that her goal is to stay small and sustainable for a healthy work/life and environmental balance.
Susan proudly employs one female admin assistant in the studio. Any services that are not performed by Susan’s team in-house are contracted to a handful of trusted, all Australian specialists in their fields, and small businesses themselves.
Giving Back
Susan Ewington Jewellery is concentrated on supporting local, grass roots, community services via cash donations and pro-bono service contributions to organisations such as SevGen, Sunshine Butterflies, Wires Wildlife Rescue, Noosa Community Charity, and the Rural Fire Service.
Susan is also involved in giving her time and workshop use to mentor in local high school work experience programs, supporting the interest of new talent and young makers.
The work doesn’t end here.
We welcome enquiries and discussion on how we can look to improve our sustainability initiatives.
If you are a local organisation that requires assistance in the form of donations or volunteering, please get in touch with some information.