Armoise Jewellery

Production locations

• Arnhem, Netherlands
• Sourcing primarily from Italy, Germany, and South America

Working Conditions & Living Wages

Sharon creates each piece herself within her atelier in Arnhem or occasionally sends work to a licensed caster in Italy or Germany. The materials are sourced through an organisation called Fairmined, primarily from Colombia and Peru, with some eco gold from alluvial sources in Mongolia. Fairmined ensures transparency and supports ethical mining practices on a small scale. This fairly new and costly license is a testament to the brand’s commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability.

Materials

• 18 carat warm yellow gold (Fairmined)
• Fairmined silver (byproduct)
• Recycled gold from customers for personal jewellery
• Stones – primarily misfit diamonds

Armoise prioritises Fairmined gold and silver to ensure ethical sourcing, avoiding the non-transparent and polluting nature of the recycled gold industry. For stones, the brand uses less costly, misfit diamonds, relying on trusted dealers rather than certifications due to the complexities of stone certification.

Packaging

• Wedding ring boxes from Westpac
• Envelopes made from growing paper (recycled paper embedded with seeds)
• Organic cotton bags with the brand’s logo

The brand employs responsible packaging options enhancing the overall consciousness of its products.

Water usage & chemicals

The brand makes use of very little water, and attempts to make conscious choices for chemicals by using Biofuel and natural products whenever possible.

Circular product design

Armoise allows customers to repurpose their old gold into new pieces like the Fortuna pendant, embodying a practical approach to circular design. They also make use of old stock silver, enhancing material efficiency.

NOTE: Jewellery is generally easy to recycle and lasts a long time.

Circular business models

Armoise offers a repair service for items they’ve made as well as for those they haven’t, supporting the longevity of jewellery. The brand encourages customers to bring in personal gold for transformation into new items, though it does not operate a general take-back program due to the complexities and high energy costs associated with gold recycling.

Distance & complexity of the supply chain

• Production location and HQ: Arnhem, Netherlands
• Sourcing: Italy, Germany, South America, Mongolia

Armoise maintains a short production chain with all production and headquarters based in Arnhem. 

Transportation

• Supply chain transportation: The transportation method for orders from Germany are by airplane using standard global shipping methods such as UPS or Fedex.
• E‑commerce transportation: Local shipping within the Netherlands or in-store pickup by customers. The brand does not sell in countries outside the Netherlands, keeping transportation emissions related to e‑commerce shipping limited. 

The brand does not use any animal materials, making it a vegan brand. 

Product design

Armoise’s creations are beautiful, personalized, and ethical—designed to be keepsakes that are treasured over time. The brand focuses on producing personalized pieces that resonate with individual stories and connections.

Slow fashion processes

Armoise typically releases 1 or 2 collections per year with small stock levels, adding designs as she makes them, emphasizing quality and exclusivity. There are no sales periods; unsold items are remelted to create new pieces, avoiding waste. Approximately 80% of the products are made to order, enhancing the personal connection between the piece and the wearer and supporting slow fashion principles by reducing overproduction. They also provide workshops, allowing an even more personal connection for customers with their jewellery. 

This approach ensures each piece is crafted with care and intention, aligning with the slow fashion ethos that values quality and sustainability over mass production.

Transparency on product

Armoise provides information about the materials used and the sourcing locations on a dedicated page on their website rather than on each product page. This transparency extends to detailing the materials used for each piece of jewellery, enhancing customer awareness and trust.

Transparency on processes

The brand is exceptionally transparent about its processes, including where it could improve, such as the sourcing of stones that, while based on trust, lack formal certifications. The founder is open about the company’s decision-making process, ensuring that customers understand the ethical considerations involved. Details about the packaging provider are shared openly, and while Armoise has been transparent with COSH! about all their processes and certifications. This level of openness is indicative of a brand committed to ethical practices and continuous improvement.