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Our Story: The Journey to Considered Jewellery

Writer's picture: ConsideredConsidered

Updated: Aug 30, 2024

In this interview we catch up with Considered Jewellery co-founder, Bea Shinh, to hear how launching the brand was a personal journey from frustration to fulfilment.


Tell us a bit about you and why you’ve launched Considered?

I’m Bea, one of the founders of Considered Jewellery, and thrilled to chat with you about our journey towards creating beautiful, sustainable jewellery.


Truth be told, our brand was born out of frustration. As a retail buyer with a design background, I felt there was a disconnect between the jewellery I wanted to wear and the often unknown stories behind its production and origin. I didn’t understand why more jewellery wasn’t being made here in the UK, championing British craftsmanship and manufacture.


Bea at sustainable jewellery trade show

How did fellow co-founder, victoria waugh, get involved in the project?

It was whilst trying to educate myself on sustainable practices and sourcing UK makers that I connected with Victoria.  She has a background in fair trade and has championed sustainable business practices in jewellery and fashion for many years. She craved transparency in the jewellery industry and made me question where materials were coming from and the environmental impact in using them.


We kept asking ourselves: shouldn't there be a way to wear beautiful jewellery without compromising our values? Shouldn't we be able to trace a piece back to its origin, knowing it caused minimal harm to the environment and empowered the communities that created it?


How did the business unfold and what does it stand for?

We both knew there had to be a better way. We envisioned jewellery that wouldn't just be worn for a few months and then thrown in a drawer. We wanted timeless designs that could be worn at any time and for any occasion. That's where the idea for Considered Jewellery took root. We talked about what really mattered to us and we could define it in four sentences:


  1. Considered in our design and production. 

  2. Committed to radical transparency in our supply chain. 

  3. Collaborative with others to drive positive change.

  4. Conscious of our impact and the legacy we leave behind.


This became our mission and the core pillars that guide everything we do. In turn, this simple message led to our logo which is a circle around four back-to-back letter Cs. It’s a constant reminder to us about what our logo represents and why we started our journey.


Victoria and Bea

How are these pillars brought to life through the business?

Let's take transparency for example. We believe in complete honesty. That means knowing exactly where every single raw material comes from. No murky origins, no hidden costs to the environment or communities.


We use certified 100% recycled silver, which comes from scrap jewellery and reclaimed metal from the production process.  We are proud to use Fairmined gold sourced from small-scale mining organizations that prioritize ethical practices and empower artisanal miners. It's about making a positive impact on people and the planet.


Do your values extend to the production of the pieces as well as the materials?

Absolutely.  It isn't just about materials.  Mass production just wasn't an option for us. We believe in the artistry and meticulous craftsmanship of British makers. Our Signature Collection is proudly certified as "Created in the UK", ensuring the highest standards of quality and design.  We’re also working with artisanal producers in other parts of the world to support small community projects and highlight their traditional skills.


What other considerations were there?

Hallmarking is an important one. Every piece in our Signature Collection is hallmarked by the Birmingham Assay Office. This verification system guarantees the metal content and quality of your jewellery, giving you complete peace of mind. We also include the Fairmined and Created in the UK marks on each piece – a visible symbol of our commitment to ethical and sustainable practices.


Have there been any challenges along the way?

To embed more ethical and sustainable practices into our business, our jewellery may have a higher price point than some high street brands, but when you invest in a piece from Considered Jewellery, you're not just buying an accessory: you're investing in a story. A story of responsibility, sustainability, and the skilled hands that brought it to life. It's a piece of jewellery you can wear knowing it aligns perfectly with your values, as we've done the hard work for you – meticulously sourcing materials, partnering with ethical suppliers, and championing British craftsmanship.


Even our packaging is special. It’s made from recycled materials and is compostable. We’ve swapped traditional boxes that often have a non-recyclable inner for reusable organic cotton pouches, made by the lovely Terri, an experienced seamstress up in Yorkshire.


COnsidered Jewellery packaging and Signature necklace

It’s a journey that took us nearly two years from concept to launch, but our next collections are already in work and include a limited-edition range of pendants using sustainably farmed pearls from the South Pacific and a collaboration with a female led initiative from Cambodia. Together, we can create a future where beautiful jewellery goes hand-in-hand with responsible practices and a healthy planet.

 

We’re dedicated to creating a radically transparent jewellery brand, which you can buy with confidence. Feel free to drop us a line with any questions, we’d love to hear from you.

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