It’s no secret that Arabel Lebrusan is a skilled, experienced artist. With a Masters in Jewellery Design, the title of gemmologist, and a host of awards under her belt, the energetic designer hardly lacks credibility. But there’s something else she possesses in heaps as well – passion and, perhaps most important than any college degree – compassion.

“Over the years I have come across many challenges which at times made me think 'I cannot work in this industry, it doesn't feel right'. In my late twenties I travelled regularly to the Far East to design Fashion Jewellery, and by doing so I experienced the world of mass production and the abuse of the earth's natural resources. I needed to find an alternative.

My relationship with ethics in the jewellery world goes back 12 years. It started when I arrived in the UK to do an MA in Ethical Jewellery at Central Saint Martins, in London. Followed by participating in the launch of Fairtrade Gold as one of the first Fairtrade Gold licencees in the UK. These days, I campaign as part of the Responsible Jewellery Council, the Fair Luxury group and Better Business Group.”

As the former Creative Director of the first Ethical Jewellery Boutique in Sloane Street, London (Leblas Jewellery), Lebrusan has brought her determination to make the world a better place to her own company. She’s proving beyond a doubt that beauty and fine design are perfectly compatible with fair labour and ethical practices, and she’s doing it well in the growing ethical fashion industry. 

Queen Letizia of Spain wearing Filigree Rosette Bangle

Beautiful Ethics in Jewellery Design

Our team works to manifest a vision of unique, heirloom quality pieces which not only benefit you as the buyer with their individuality and value, but also those who make the jewellery possible. We use diamonds mined from ethical sources in Canada and these diamonds are accompanied by certification assuring you of their origin and that they are conflict-free.

We also source metals, which come from certified Fairtrade sources, or are recycled, in order to ensure that all those involved are treated fairly with decent wages and working conditions. It’s important to us not to support any practices which exploit workers and keep communities from being able to sustain themselves.

In fact, as part of our ongoing devotion to environmental responsibility and human rights, we were one of the UK’s first Fairtrade gold licensees. We think that says quite a bit about our commitment to ethical fashion. To us, those aren’t just words – it’s a way of life.

Not only do we utilise Fairtrade gold, even our recycled metals are sourced with conscientiousness. We use only recycled metals from a single, 100% certified source. This gives you peace of mind that you truly are getting a beautiful piece of ethical fashion inside and out, and it gives us peace of mind that we’re doing the right thing.

Ethical Fashion Is Here to Stay

We are proud supporters of the Fashion Revolution Week campaign. On 24 April 2013 over 1,000 sweatshop workers were killed in the Rana Plaza factory fire in Bangladesh. The factory was producing cheap, disposable high street clothes with little regard for its workers.  The Fashion Revolution Week encourages millions of people to ask brands ‘Who made my clothes’ and demand greater transparency in the fashion supply chain. You can make a difference and join the movement here http://fashionrevolution.org/

The fashion landscape is changing – consumers are savvy, thoughtful, and becoming more and more aware of how their buying habits may affect an entire community half a world away. At Arabel Lebrusan, we’re proud to be a part of those changes, and at the same time, to be able to provide you with beautiful designs that will be treasured for generations to come. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind that you have helped the artisan communities provide a sustainable way of living for themselves.

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Love, Arabel