Second Hand September

The initiative of second hand September, created by Oxfam, wants to raise awareness of the environmental impact of fashion and to encourage individuals to avoid buying new clothing for the whole of September. 

Currently, less than 1% of the material used to make clothes is being recycled into new garments. That is quite a shocking statistic to read! We are buying twice as much clothing as we were a decade ago and all of this comes with an increasing carbon footprint. 

What does this have to do with jewellery? Jewellery and accessories can uplift an outfit and transform it without having to buy something new and why stop at clothes when saying yes to second hand? Accessories including jewellery should also be considered. 

I couldn’t find any figures as to how much jewellery is recycled vs newly mined, I can tell you that the estimated global production of silver in 2019 amounted to 27,000 metric tons compared to 20,800 metric tons in 2005, showing that mining of silver has increased (it is worth noting that not all silver would be used within the jewellery sector, it’s also used in the medical and electrical sector, among others).

In 2018, $279 billion dollars were spent on jewellery and this is set to increase to $480.5 billion by 2025 and we can assume that not all of it is from recycled sources. 

What can we do about it? Like clothing we can make a better choice and have ‘new’ things with a smaller environmental price tag. 

7 little big things you can do in Secondhand September

• Buying second hand or recycled is a more sustainable option. Mining for new metals and stones has a huge environmental toll, it uses a lot of water, destroys ecosystems and displaces animals. Using something we already have is a good choice. Look in antique shops, charity shops, car boot sales and auction houses. They will have beautiful pieces wanting a new home and what a great day out with friends or family looking for treasure. Don't fancy that, then look to jewellers that are open about their production and sourcing values, so you really know what you are buying.

• Using what we already have. Look through your jewellery box is there something you could love again or just wear it more, rather than buy a new item?

• If there is something your not in love with any more and you really won't wear it again, look at selling it on to someone that will, you can use the proceeds to invest in a new piece. 

• Don't want to sell it because there is sentimental value there? You could look at having the piece altered into something you will love. You can have the metal reformed into a new piece, and you can reuse any existing stones too. 

• Is it broken and that's why you are not wearing it anymore? Most jewellery can be easily fixed. Or perhaps it needs to be altered so that you can wear it again. Pop along to your local jewellers and see if they can help you. 

• Give it to charity, lots of charities will take broken or unwanted jewellery. It is a very generous contribution which they would be delighted with and it means the item stays in use. 

• Looking for an accessory for a special occasion; a wedding or similar. Rather than buy something new, could you look at borrowing the piece? And similarly could you lend a friend a piece of jewellery to help complete their outfit. 

I hope these ideas help you with re imagining your wardrobe and giving some love to some things you already have. 

Buying second hand jewellery doesn’t mean the item is second rate. Jewellery like clothing deserves a second life, particularly if it saves resources and helps preserve our planet.