7 Conscious Questions To Ask Before Buying New Jewellery
In a time when excess consumerism is the norm, we feel it is more important than ever to shop consciously. Oftentimes, purchasing a new item can feel thrilling and exciting, causing us to make decisions based on an impulse (it has happened to all of us!). But while consumerism is inherently part of our society as it allows us to obtain the things we need or really want, it is essential to be aware of the fact that excessive shopping has negative consequences for both our wellbeing and the environment, as it causes pollution and waste. We wish to make it a little easier for you to purchase your jewellery in a mindful manner: that’s why we created this checklist for you with 7 questions that you can ask yourself to make sure you are purchasing your new piece of jewellery mindfully and wholeheartedly. Happy conscious jewellery shopping!
1. Does this piece of jewellery suit my style and everyday life?
The first important thing to consider when purchasing a new piece of jewellery, is whether it truly matches your desired style. When you come across a jewel you love, pause to consider this for a second: does it fit in with my wardrobe and with the other pieces of jewellery I already own? Does it connect with the vibe I want to emulate? You may fall in love with a bold pair of statement earrings, for example, but if your day-to-day style is rather minimalistic, chances are you will end up hardly wearing them. This could also happen with a type of jewellery that is trending right now, but that may not actually fit your style. We also recommend thinking about whether this piece of jewellery fits into your daily life. Could you see yourself wearing it at work, for example? Of course, you could also choose to purchase a piece of jewellery for a special occasion, such as a wedding, but in that case we’d still advise you to invest in a timeless style that you could wear on multiple festive occasions over the years.
2. Will I still love this jewellery item in a year? What about in 3 or 5 years?
Speaking of timeless jewellery, asking yourself this second question is a foolproof way to figure out whether your new jewellery crush is a spur-of-the-moment thing or a long-term love. Can you imagine yourself still loving and wearing this piece of jewellery in a year, in 3 years or even in 5 years? Can you imagine it becoming a part of your life? If the answer is ‘yes’, you can rest assured that you won’t regret this purchase.
3. Can I wear this jewellery piece with different outfits?
Another crucial question to consider before buying a new piece of jewellery, is whether you can wear and style it with different outfits, as well as with jewellery that you already own. Of course, you want a piece that is beautifully unique, but it is also important to think about whether it is versatile enough to wear often and in different combinations.
4. Is this piece of jewellery of good, durable quality?
Conscious shopping, just like the slowing living philosophy (to which we adhere at Julia Otilia) is all about quality over quantity. So, take your time to find out what material the piece is made of, and how it was made. Is the piece made of cheap material that could cause skin irritation over time? Or is it made of natural precious metals such as sterling silver and gold? Is it a mass production item or was it skillfully crafted? All of these elements will influence the quality and durability of the jewellery item you have your eye on.
5. Is this piece of jewellery from a brand that I want to endorse and invest in?
Every purchase you make is a vote you cast for the kind of world you want to see. Therefore, we would suggest not to just look at the piece of jewellery in question, but at the bigger picture as well: what brand is this piece of jewellery from? What does it stand for? What is the story behind it? Does this brand share my personal values, for example when it comes to sustainability, ethics, animal friendliness and style? Do I really wish to support this brand with my purchase?
6. Is this jewellery item ethically and fairly made?
In line with the previous question, for a conscious jewellery purchase, it is vital to consider whether the piece was ethically and fairly made. For example, are the people who sourced, designed and crafted (the materials for) this piece fairly treated and paid? Is it made with consideration for people and planet? Unfortunately, this is not yet a given: oftentimes, jewellery is manufactured in a way that is harmful to our environment as well as unfair the people who actually create it, making this an even more important point to consider.
7. Will I wear this piece of jewellery more than 30 times?
As a slow jewellery brand, we encourage you to consider how often you will wear your new piece of jewellery before purchasing it. As a rule of thumb, you could ask yourself if you would wear this piece at least 30 times. This way, you can make sure you will not regret your purchase and that you will love and cherish your new piece of jewellery for as long as possible.
Hopefully, this checklist will be of help for you if you would like to be more mindful about your purchases, or if you are in doubt about whether to buy a piece of jewellery or not. Ideally, seven out of seven questions are an absolute ‘yes’, but we would advise you not to go for it if you aren’t sure about more than two questions. Do you wish for some additional, personal slow jewellery shopping advice? Then don’t hesitate to contact us via e-mail (info@juliaotilia.com) or our Instagram.
Julia Otilia is a sustainable, ethical and fair jewellery brand based in Auvergne, France. Are you looking for a piece or a set of sustainable & ethical nature-inspired jewellery? Don’t forget to check out our jewellery collection.
Beautiful photography by talented Floortje Louise.