Currently, when it comes to eco-friendly jewelry, you have many choices. When shopping you can look for categories that are Fair Trade, pieces made with eco materials, and work done by ethical companies. Glass jewelry is a nice way to go – you can find some great recycled pieces, plus it’s recyclable (not that you’d want to toss a pretty ring, but…). Right now I really like the work by Julie Burton and Jess Panza of Verre NewYork. They offer an amazing collection of handmade glass pieces at Artworks Jewelry, like the Raspberry Glass and Sterling Silver Orbit Ring above which is pretty and won’t cost an arm (or a leg).

I also like the Hovey Lee Eco Dragonfly IV Ring:

This is not a ring I’d normally even look at – I’m so not a gold jewelry kind of girl. However you can’t help but adore the minty chalcedony atop this ring. It looks like a bright water droplet. The recycled metal brass band is gold-plated and has a gold pewter dragonfly on each side. Pretty cute for gold.

If you need a cute little gift box try the Fair Trade Heart Jewelry Boxes – (Set of 2). These tiny boxes are perfect for Valentine’s Day. From Tara Projects, a fair trade group and hand-crafted of glass and silver.