Responsible + Chic = Real Jewels

So, you wanna accessorize responsibly, but you don't wanna look like your jewelry was crafted from old aluminum cans...?

Have no fear!  Here at Real Jewels, we know there is a common misconception of what "green jewelry" is...and we're happy to report that it's not twigs and leaves glued together!

In fact, eco jewelry can and should be chic.  No matter what your style, you can be a responsible consumer and fashionista!  It's up to you to demand sustainable jewelry of a certain standard (and, thankfully, we hold ourselves to these same high standards as well).

Every time you put on a pair of earrings or clasp a necklace, you probably don't think about where it came from or who made it, but it's our job to do just that!

Because of this, we can guarantee that any piece you choose from any of our collections (like, say, maybe the Real Light Domed Pear Earring in 100% recycled sterling silver shown below) was created under sustainable business practices and fair labor standards.  

As nice as it would be to believe that jewels are in unlimited supply, nature's resources are running out and by creating sustainable pieces, we hope to eventually assist in reversing this.

We always say, why choose between fabulous fashion and your conscience?

Stick with Real Jewels and you can have both!

Beautiful.  Sustainable.  Real.

Stay Real,

The Real Jewels Team

We've been shot by Cupid's eco-friendly, recycled arrow!

This Valentine's Day, show your sweetheart you don't only adore her, you adore this beautiful planet of ours, too!

With so many romantic, eco-friendly pieces to choose from...all of her friends will be green with envy of her totally green accessories!

Here are just a few LOVE-ly gift ideas from our collections:

Heart Charm on solid bangle bracelet made of 100% recycled Sterling Silver/$210


Real Love Heart Pendant made of 100% recycled Sterling Silver on 17" Chain/$70

Engraved Heart Pendant made of 100% recycled Sterling Silver on 17" chain/$85


Single initial Disks made of 100% recycled Sterling Silver on 17" chain/$75



Real Sweet petite Disks on made of 100% recycled Sterling Silver on 16" chain/$38
And no need to worry about presentation, all our Real Jewels come in 100% recycled paper gift packaging or in our origami-inspired green vine envelope!

It's not smart to recycle love, but it's surely smart to buy jewelry made out of recycled materials!

We know that special someone in your life will love our green pieces!

Confused about what eco piece to get this Valentine's Day? Feel free to E-mail a member of the Real Jewels team at info@real-jewels.com for some shopping advice!

There are just so many REAL ways to say I love you on February 14th...

Stay Real,
The Real Jewels Team

The Green Bride

Are you planning on getting married this Spring or Summer?

Why not get a head start on gifts for those amazing bridesmaids of yours?


The REAL ME collection of 100% recycled sterling silver initial pendants make perfect personal attendant's gifts...and at $75 each, they're perfectly priced, too! Start the recycled jewelry trend at your wedding and pretty soon all your friends will be walking down the aisle planet-friendly!






We also offer the REAL SPIRIT collection -- including the Hamsa, Heart, and Tree of Life!

The Tree of Life is a wonderful gift for the Mother of the Bride (And, if she'd prefer 14 Karat Gold, fear not! Contact us for pricing.) What better way to show Mom thanks for the support than with some green jewelry? The earth will thank you, too!

(Pendants on chain are $85/each and matching earrings are $125. Hamsa, Heart, and Tree of Life pendants and Heart earrings pictured below.)







Looking for something for yourself on your special day?

The REAL LIGHT "Y" necklace with pearls is a beautiful complement to any wedding dress. Try pairing it with the Blossom and Pearl or Organic Pod and pearl earrings! Because in 2010, no bride should enter married life without some eco jewelry!






To help you weed through the jungle of wedding websites out there, we have compiled a list of great blogs and sites to visit to inspire you and your green wedding!

THE WELL BRIDE
Yoona Hawkins' blog (of Brilliant Eco Events) that offers up great green wedding tips. Yoona is a local green wedding event planner.

ECO CHIK
A blog with some Canadian flavor. This blog features sustainability for all aspects of your life with a modern flair.


TALEN EVENTS
A Canadian event planning service with great ideas for sustainable weddings.

GREEN WEDDING SHOES
Follow Green Wedding Shoes to view spotlights on vintage, green and very creative weddings.

ERIN.EVER.AFTER.
A blog great for wedding ideas (it focuses on design). The weddings featured here are very unique and simply lovely.

BRIDE CHIC
An inspirational blog for today's bride!

ECO CHIC
This local Green Lifestyle website will not only address your wedding needs, but your day-to-day life, too!

ECO CHIC WEDDINGS
Ideas and inspirations that are ethical, thrifty, & chic!

THE GREEN BRIDE GUIDE
Check out this website for green wedding photos, stories from past prides, and tips on how to create your own green dream wedding!

INDIE WEDDING GUIDE
A guide to recycling, reusing, and reducing for today's weddings!

ONCE WED
We heart this site for the inspirational ideas we see! The Real Jewels Team is planning on showcasing a lot of DIY wedding ideas at the wedding fair! (Details to come!)

GREAT GREEN WEDDING
The name of the site says it all -- great tips for a great green wedding!

Phew!

Well, if you didn't already have wedding fever, we're pretty sure you have it now!!

Join us this week on Facebook and Twitter as we celebrate the beauty of matrimony! Yup, it's wedding week here at Real Jewels!

Stay real,
The Real Jewels Team

Happy New Year from Real Jewels!

We thought we'd start the new year off with some inspiring words...

"Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward." -Lao Tsu

And perhaps some Real Jewels to match?

Behold, the Wheel of Life earring!



Earrings: $125
Matching pendant: $85

These earrings are made from 100% recycled sterling silver and are the perfect start for 2010!

Health and happiness to you and yours!

Stay real,
The Real Jewels Team

With a New Year Comes a New Commitment...

The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is coming to a close and a new year is now upon us...

And, with a new year, comes a new commitment to the environment! We here at Real Jewels believe that each individual can make a difference in a small way (together, making a BIG impact!).

Here are just a few of the ways REAL JEWELS has resolved to care for Mother Earth:

All of our pieces are made from recycled gold and silver.

Our packaging is FSC-certified, 100% recycled, 100% post-consumer waste, and chlorine-free.

Our mailers are made from recycled fibers and post-consumer content.

We use soy-based ink for all of our printing. (Vegetable-based inks offer a safer work environment for production staff by reducing harmful fumes and VOC emissions.)

In addition, we here at Real Jewels have taken the "No Dirty Gold pledge" which states,"I support the No Dirty Gold campaign to end destructive gold mining practices. I call on retailers and manufacturers of gold jewelry, electronics, and other goods to work to ensure that the gold in their products was not produced at the expense of local communities, workers, and the environment. I demand that the global mining industry provide retailers and consumers an alternative to dirty gold."

Learn more about dirty mining and refining practices at the official No Dirty Gold website!

So, in 2010, why not make a promise to yourself and the planet?

We've made it easier than ever before to take REAL JEWELS with you wherever you go...introducing Real Jewels MOBILE
!

Now that you've made a commitment to the planet, how about a reward?

Try an initial pendant from the REAL ME collection! They are available in Sterling Silver, 10 Karat gold, and 14 Karat gold. All come with our signature, fair trade green peridot tag that guarantees that your jewelry was made in a responsible manner!




Real Jewels. Beautiful. Sustainable. Real.

Stay Real & best wishes for a happy and healthy new year,
The Real Jewels Team

A Thoughtful Gift (For Loved Ones & The Planet!)

Since it’s the season of giving, we’re going to do just that and keep our free ground shipping in effect for the rest of 2009…that’s one great reason to shop Real Jewels!

But, don’t forget the most important reason to shop Real Jewels – our commitment to the planet!

To help minimize the environmental impact that irresponsible mining and refining practices can have on our planet, we exclusively use recycled sterling silver and 14 karat gold in the manufacturing of our fine jewelry. We use precious and semi precious stones that are fair- traded. Our diamonds are kimberly processed certified and conflict–free.



We believe that “responsibly made” should be synonymous with trendy and fashionable, and that now is the time to embrace sustainability and promote awareness for future generations to come. We create jewelry that is joyful, thoughtful and always respectful of the environment and the people who make it.

What better way to show the ones you love that you care for not only them, but also for the Earth and the rest of its people this holiday season?

“If there is any responsibility in the cycle of life it must be that one generation owes to the next that strength by which it can come to face ultimate concerns in its own way.” -Erik H. Erickson

Stay real,

The Real Jewels Team

Real Great Gifts for Everyone on Your List!

Still haven’t finished shopping for everyone on your holiday list?

Have no fear – Real Jewels is here to save the day!

With five unique jewelry collections, Real Jewels has something for everyone special in your life.

The new REAL SWEET collection is perfectly priced for giving – all under $40!

The REAL SPIRIT collection is made for gifting…each comes in its own “green” origami envelope…

The REAL ME collection features pieces that look great alone or as an addition to an existing piece of jewelry…

The REAL LIGHT collection is specially designed to allow light to reflect through each piece of jewelry…inspired by nature and Mehndi art.

The REAL GEMS collection is made exclusively of recycled 14 Karat gold and sparkling Kimberly processed conflict-free diamonds…

And, as if that wasn’t enough motivation, guess what the best part is?  Well, share your love for Real Jewels with a friend using the Tell A Friend page on our website and you just gave yourself a present – 10% off your first online purchase! (Did we mention free ground shipping on all orders, too?)

Who says ‘tis better to give than receive?

Stay real,

The Real Jewels Team