I Tried The Sustainable Jewelry Brand Seen On Kylie Jenner And Tyla – Here’s What I Thought

Sustainable habits have become mundane parts of everyday life. Whether it’s filling reusable water bottles, bringing cloth bags to the supermarket, or starting an at-home compost, many are becoming more mindful of their carbon footprints and taking steps to be kinder to the planet. And those habits translate to their wallets, too.

Brands who prioritize sustainability are becoming much more popular, offering consumers peace of mind when it comes to how they’re spending their dollars. And leading that charge on the luxury jewelry front is John Hardy, a brand that has been prioritizing sustainability since 1975—way before it was trendy.

Now that holiday gifting season is upon us, it’s an ideal time of year to make the plunge for luxury, sustainable jewelry. Rather than opting for a cheaper, less ethical product that your loved one will have to replace in a few years, why not invest in a uniquely crafted piece that will last forever?

We tried out the brand for ourselves, to see how its commitment to sustainability impacts the product—and the customer experience overall. 

What Is Sustainable Jewelry?

“Sustainable” can be a blanket descriptor for modern brands, used to draw in ethically minded consumers but otherwise guilty of greenwashing. John Hardy is not one of those brands.

This jewelry company has had the environment in mind since 1975. John Hardy himself was an ecoactivist, with a goal of creating eco-conscious, small-scale jewelry from the very beginning. The brand’s first artisan workshop was constructed in Bali out of low-impact materials like bamboo, surrounded by a farm that was self-sustained by recycled waste water from the workshop. And this was back in the ’90s!

Since then, sustainability has remained a priority: The brand launched several eco-conscious initiatives over the years, both related and unrelated to its own jewelry production. And in 2021, its production facilities shifted to fully renewable energy.

Perhaps most importantly (and impressively): Each piece of John Hardy jewelry is made with 100% reclaimed silver and gold that has been melted down and repurposed. And any residual materials left behind during production are saved and used for future pieces. Almost nothing ends up in a landfill.

Plus, all materials—including diamonds—are ethically sourced. John Hardy is part of the Responsible Jewellery Council, a non-profit certification organization that sets quality standards for the industry. Being part of the RJC means following strict standards when it comes to human rights, environmental impact, mining practices, and more. 

So investing in a piece from John Hardy isn’t just a treat for the eyes. It offers peace of mind that comes with putting hard-earned money toward an initiative for a better planet. 

An Ethically Indulgent Experience

As someone who doesn’t dabble much in the world of  luxury jewelry, my first impression of John Hardy was a lot of wow.

Navigating the website is a treat—whether you know what you’re looking for or not. You can shop by jewelry category, material, one-of-a-kind themed collections, or categories like Best Sellers to see what’s tried and true. Each  product description offers helpful details and size guides to make the online shopping experience a breeze.

I tried out the Love Knot Bracelet ($850), part of the brand’s Love Knot collection that’s categorized by separately woven chains coming together and symbolizing “commitment, resilience, and love.” When the eye-catching orange box arrived at my door, securely packaged and with my name on it, I was dying to dig in.

The packaging—although made from sustainable materials—still feels traditionally luxurious. The bracelet comes in a buttery soft protective pouch with a polishing cloth, stored in a sturdy branded box, and tied with a gift-ready elastic ribbon. But each piece is purposefully crafted: All paper packaging is even certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

And when it comes to the jewelry itself,  beauty is in the craftsmanship details. Not only is the Love Knot bracelet a symbolic and eye-catching accessory that’s designed to suit any gender, it’s also highly functional. It features a durable clasp that’s easy to close one-handed and feels secure when you’re on the go (especially when you follow the helpful sizing guide).

A Staple On The Red Carpet

It’s easy to feel like a celebrity when you adorn yourself with a luxurious piece of jewelry. But that’s especially the case with John Hardy: Its pieces are often spotted on the hottest names in Hollywood.

From Kylie Jenner and Tyla to Sterling K. Brown and Malik Beasley, celebrities are big fans of John Hardy, showing off jewelry as part of their red carpet, runway, and photoshoot looks. These one-of-a-kind pieces

scream luxury, and the wide swath of options for both men and women means there’s something for every event and aesthetic. 

So if certain pieces on the brand website look familiar—like the Naga Dragon Y Necklace ($3,500) sported by Kylie Jenner—it might be because you’ve seen them on your fave award show or magazine cover.  And who doesn’t love to feel like a celebrity?