Akind's Commitment to Sustainability

We're not here to preach about our efforts, but with what we've learned about the mining and jewelry industries, we feel a responsibility to offer better alternatives. Our latest campaign is focused on informing and educating consumers about more ethical choices in jewelry.

At Akind, sustainability isn't just a buzzword – it’s the foundation of everything we do. From the materials we source to the processes we follow, we’re always striving to create jewelry that aligns with our values. Our commitment to using recycled gold and lab-grown gemstones reflects our desire to contribute to a more sustainable future.

We know that we are not a 100% sustainable company, however, we actively work toward reducing the footprint we leave behind.

Choosing 100% recycled gold for our jewelry was a no-brainer. Traditional gold mining produces massive amounts of toxic waste, contaminates water sources, and disrupts ecosystems. In fact, producing a single gold ring creates over 20 tons of waste, requires 5000 liters of water, and generates several tons of CO2 emissions. 

By choosing recycled gold, you reduce your environmental footprint to less than 1% of that created by newly mined gold.

Currently, only about 15% of gold is recovered from electronic waste. By increasing the demand for recycled gold, we can drive advancements in technology to improve the recovery and repurposing of gold already in circulation. 

Recycled gold offers the same high quality as mined gold, but without the devastating impact on the planet. That's why we're fully committed to using 100% recycled gold.

Lab-grown diamonds are created in laboratories rather than formed under the earth. They are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds. These diamonds are produced by replicating the natural process, using intense heat and pressure to transform carbon atoms, just as nature does. A diamond, minus the mining.

By choosing lab-grown diamonds, Akind takes a stand against environmental degradation, wildlife displacement, groundwater contamination, deforestation, cartel pricing, child labor, and the forced displacement of local communities.

Mining a single 1-carat diamond generates approximately 250 tons of earth waste, consumes thousands of liters of water, emits around 100 kg of CO2, and leads to significant land disruption. Furthermore, diamond mining has historically funded brutal conflicts in countries such as Angola, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, causing the deaths and displacement of millions. This is why these diamonds have earned the infamous name “Blood Diamonds”.

Despite initiatives like the Kimberley Process, which seeks to prevent conflict diamonds from entering the market, problems persist, and mined diamonds continue to fuel ongoing conflicts.

Sources: 

World Gold Council 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP)

Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC)

Greenmatch

Global Witness

United Nations