Sustainability in jewelry is no longer a trend; it’s a necessity. As regulations tighten and consumers demand greater transparency, nature has become both a responsibility and a business imperative for the jewelry industry. From gold mining to gemstone sourcing, our sector depends deeply on fragile ecosystems now under threat. In this in-depth article, we explore the latest insights from Positive Luxury’s Nature’s Capital and WJI 2030’s Nature Roadmap to help you understand why future-proofing your jewelry business starts with respecting nature and why now is the time to act.
In the jewelry world, beauty is born from nature. Gold, gemstones, pearls — all treasures from our planet. Yet, nature is no longer just our supplier; it’s becoming our regulator. Two recent reports, Positive Luxury’s 'Nature’s Capital' and the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030’s 'Nature Roadmap,' make it undeniable clear that nature’s health is now a business imperative, not just an ethical nicety.
These reports might feel abstract for many jewelers, especially those running small stores, ateliers, or independent brands. No customer has ever walked in asking about biodiversity, and few, if any, questions were asked about where the water used in refining came from. Yet change is coming. Regulation is catching up. Transparency will no longer be optional.
And honestly, should we wait until the law tells us to do better?
Why This Matters to Jewelry
The jewelry sector’s reliance on nature is deep and complex. We depend on ecosystems for:
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Precious metals: mining impacts landscapes, water, and biodiversity.
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Gemstones: from diamonds to colored gems, sourcing shapes both people and planet.
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Pearls require healthy oceans and careful stewardship.
Yet, the industry also contributes to deforestation, water pollution, and loss of biodiversity through extraction, processing, and sometimes even marketing practices.
Nature underpins luxury, but it’s fragile. Over 50% of global GDP depends on ecosystem services. According to Positive Luxury’s report, six out of nine planetary boundaries — those essential to a safe and stable Earth — have already been crossed. This isn’t an abstract environmental concern. This is about the future of your business.
Why Now?
The jewelry industry will not be exempt because regulators, investors, and consumers are aligning. New EU directives such as the CSRD will impact over 50,000 companies by 2030, and even smaller businesses will feel the ripple effects through supply chains. The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) expects companies to disclose nature-related impacts. The EU Nature Restoration Law sets binding targets to restore 20% of land and sea by 2030.
Your peers in luxury are already moving ahead. It’s time to catch up.
From Compliance to Opportunity
These reports highlight an urgent truth: sustainability isn’t just about emissions or packaging anymore. It’s about nature itself. And it’s about future-proofing your business.
Key Takeaways from the Reports:
✅ Nature is your Capital
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More than half of global GDP relies on healthy ecosystems.
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Jewelry relies on materials directly tied to land, water, and biodiversity.
✅ Risk is Rising
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91% of industrial businesses are already affected by resource scarcity.
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86% of countries risk ecosystem collapse due to biodiversity loss.
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20% of consumers actively avoid brands harming biodiversity.
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Private finance for nature has surged 11x since 2020.
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Resource scarcity, supply chain instability, and stricter regulations (like the EU’s CSRD) are coming.
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Even small businesses will feel this through upstream demands.
✅ Opportunity Awaits
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Companies acting early will lead in innovation, efficiency, and consumer trust.
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Nature-positive practices reduce costs, open new markets, and attract talent.
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Nature-positive solutions could unlock $10.1 trillion in annual business opportunities and savings by 2030.
What Does 'Nature Positive' Mean?
‘Nature Positive’ isn’t just minimizing harm. It’s about reversing biodiversity loss. It means leaving ecosystems in better shape than we found them. This includes: avoiding harm, reducing impacts, restoring ecosystems, and supporting regeneration.
Practical Steps to Start Today
Both reports offer roadmaps. For jewelry businesses, from single artisans to global brands, this isn’t about overhauling everything overnight. It’s about moving step-by-step.
1. Assess Your Impact and Dependencies
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Where do your materials come from?
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How is nature involved, directly or indirectly, in your value chain?
2. Commit to Improvement
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Engage with organizations like CIBJO, WJI 2030, Positive Luxury, RJC, and NDC.
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Set realistic goals: reduce virgin material use, support restoration, and prioritize traceability.
3. Transform Your Practices
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Source responsibly. Choose partners aligned with ethical sourcing.
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Consider recycled metals, lab-grown diamonds, or verified supply chains.
4. Disclose Transparently
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Start simple. Share your journey openly — even the imperfect steps.
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Prepare for future reporting requirements.
5. Collaborate Widely
Collaboration is key: no one business can solve this alone. Organizations like WJI 2030, CIBJO, and RJC exist to help you align, not struggle in isolation. Sharing knowledge across the supply chain is essential to real progress.
Why Even Small Jewelry Businesses Should Care
I understand it’s easy to feel this is for ‘the big brands.’ Your clients may never ask about provenance or biodiversity. But legislation will affect you sooner than you think, through the supply chain if not directly. More importantly, you have a choice. Do you want to wait to be forced to act, or do you want to lead by example?
Your story can become your strength. It should be a story of responsibility, care, and stewardship—a story your customers will respect.
From Extraction to Regeneration
I know this industry. I’ve been in it for over three decades. I know how many jewelers think: “This doesn’t apply to me.” Yet it does. Every action counts. From the mines to the boutiques. From sourcing to selling.
We owe it to our craft, our heritage, and the beauty we create to ensure that what we take from nature, we also protect.
Because in the end, dearest readers, jewelry isn’t just about adornment. It’s about legacy.
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Lisa Henry
Important topic! Sustainability in jewelry protects the planet while ensuring the industry thrives for future generations.
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