Ethical materials and manufacturing

Here at Mari Thomas, I've always wanted us to do better, and to play our part in caring for both people and planet. I believe the small differences a business like mine can make will add up to real environmental change, all the more so now the jewellery trade reaches into every corner of the Earth for its metals and stones. So we try to be as responsible as we can, from the way we make our jewellery in our own workshop to the way we source precious metals and stones.

All our collections are made from recycled gold and silver

GOLD AND SILVER

As a small team, we consciously try and manage or develop ways in which we can tread lightly on our planet and reduce our environmental footprint. Before “sustainable” became the hot topic in the fashion and jewellery world, I had ALWAYS crafted jewellery pieces with recycled gold and silver. We prefer to use gold and silver metal that is recycled over mined and fair-mined to ensure we are gentle on our planet, reducing environmental pollution and damage.  

Inside the workshop, the engineering side of jewellery, we collect and gather fine dust and all old scrap metal to reuse in our jewellery collections. Nothing was or is ever wasted!

BESPOKE BANGLE

Made from recycled gold and silver

All our diamonds are conflict-free and ethically sourced

DIAMONDS

We only use conflict-free and ethically sourced natural diamonds and gemstones, as well as offering lab-grown diamonds as an alternative option.

We have always worked very closely with our stone dealers to ensure that our mined stones have all been sourced following fair labour practices and sustainable agreements. These practices measure the effect on people, communities, and our social footprint. Helping to ensure fair play, safe working conditions, environmentally sound practices, and that no human rights have been abused.

We have always and will always work only with ethically sourced diamonds and gemstones, and will not handle any stone if its provenance is unknown or in question.

OUR JEWELLERY WORKSHOP

As a trained jeweller and goldsmith, I'm proud to support a small, dedicated team of jewellers in my workshop, who work alongside me on my commissions and collections.

The workshop sits right inside my gallery in Llandeilo, which keeps our craft in the local economy and celebrates the making process. It's on view as you visit, and it's a big part of what makes coming to the gallery special.

We use as little plastic as we can, and reuse wherever possible. Each piece is stored in recyclable, naturally biodegradable glassine bags, and our dispatch boxes are made from recycled material and fully recyclable too.

Now and then we work with other specialists, casters and hand engravers, most of them in or around Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter, where I first trained. It's also home to my hallmark, at the Birmingham Assay Office. So all my work is made in the UK, with sustainable and ethical materials, and in the workshop we're always making small changes for the better.

PLATINUM

Due to a new health warning flagged by our casting companies, recycling old platinum in a cast project at high temperature poses a health risk, as older unknown alloys can contain metals that are toxic when released at high temperatures in enclosed spaces. We now buy platinum alloys from new from sources we know are safe. However if you have any platinum jewellery that you would like remodelled, please get in touch, there are still safe fabricating options available.  

OUR PACKAGING

Mari Thomas boxes and bags are all recyclable. They are not made from recycled materials as the trees used to produce them are replaced as part of the production so therefore it completes the cycle by planting more trees.

Our tissue paper is all made from recycled paper and is recyclable. We encourage to reuse and recycle wherever possible.

Collectively, the small changes we make together can make a big difference.