Ethical jewellery: the luxury pieces we'd most love to receive this Christmas

Dazzling jewels hidden under the tree or tucked within the depths of your stocking may well be a Christmas cliché, but we couldn't care less. Rest assured, if you are planning on giving your collection a stylish refresh this year, you will be utterly spoilt for choice.However, if 19th century literature has taught us anything about the season (major props to Dickens), it is that Christmas is all about kindness, generosity and extending our thoughts to others.MORE: 7 pairs of designer earrings to add to your Christmas wish listIt might sound trivial at first but voting with your wallet this festive season can have a major impact. Given that fashion is the second most polluting industry after the oil and gas sector, it makes perfect sense that many of us are shifting towards more sustainable shopping habits. But the jewellery sphere is often left unaddressed – which brings us onto the issue of ethics.What is ethical jewellery?In essence, ethical jewellery is fully traceable, and its materials are sustainably sourced. The key here is that the brand in question is transparent about its manufacturing processes and exerts an extremely minimal impact on the environment.But pushing recycled materials and sustainable gemstones aside for a moment, the concept of ethical jewellery is just as intrinsically linked, if not more so, with people. Skilled artisans are entitled to fair wages and safe working conditions, and, naturally, ethical jewellery doesn’t fund conflict. Rightfully so, the 'blood diamonds' controversy had a profound impact, and so, we have taken the opportunity to shed some light on the brands that are leading the way.Hello! Fashion shares the luxury pieces of ethical jewellery that we'd love to receive this Christmas:The pendant earrings All the mined diamonds sold by The Diamond Store are conflict free. It only purchases diamonds from a select number of authorised sightholders (an industry term that refers to "legally established bulk buyers of rough diamonds"), who source stones from countries that fully participate in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.Sapphire and Lab Diamond Halo Earrings, £1,405, The Diamond StoreSHOP NOWREAD: Designer gifts that every fashion editor wants for ChristmasMORE: Princess Diana's iconic 'revenge dress' choker worn by Elizabeth Debicki in The Crown has a fascinating story behind itThe heirloom ring Mejuri is working towards 100% traceability of all materials across its supply chain and started this journey by prioritising suppliers that are certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council. Heirloom ring, £500, MejuriSHOP NOWThe contemporary pearl piece Each Wild Fawn piece is handmade in London using recycled metals and sustainable manufacturing processes. Plus, its gift boxes are 100% recycled and 100% recyclable – ideal for the eco warrior in your life.9ct Gold Chain Pearl Drop Lariat Necklace, £226, Wild FawnSHOP NOWThe vintage-inspired bangle Excelling in minimalist, ultra-wearable pieces, By Glaze supports local artisans and craftspeople in Thailand, Kenya and the United Kingdom. Its supply chains are "committed to paying fair and above standard living wages" and its "small, family-run factories pride themselves on their certified ethical working conditions which empower and support female makers".Wave bangle, £95, By GlazeSHOP NOWThe timeless choker One of Alighieri’s founding principles is to "put people and planet first". Each piece begins its life as hand-crafted wax fragment, sculpted by the brand’s founder Rosh Mahtani, and then it is passed onto expert casters who make up the UK’s historic jewellery manufacturing districts.The Wasteland Choker, £850, AlighieriSHOP NOWLike this story? Sign up to our Hello! Fashion newsletter to get your weekly 'Fashion Fix' delivered straight to your inbox.HELLO!'s selection is editorial and independently chosen – we only feature items our editors love and approve of. HELLO! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. To find out more visit our FAQ page.