OUR ETHICS & COMMITMENT
“Back in 2005, I was told bluntly to my face by a London diamond dealer: ‘WHEN YOU WORK IN THIS TRADE YOU SELL YOUR SOUL TO THE DEVIL.’ I knew then that things didn’t have to be that way." – Arabel Lebrusan
Lebrusan Studio exists to change the world, one gram of gold at a time.
We create jewellery for people who care - jewellery that acts as a vessel for environmental, social, political and economic reform. Since 2009, we have worked with simple, transparent supply chains, a small group of trusted suppliers and craftspeople, and an uncompromising ethical framework. This approach offers honesty, knowledge, peace of mind - and the confidence to choose a jewel you can feel proud of.
Why ethical jewellery matters
The jewellery trade has a long and well-documented history of harm - from environmental devastation to worker exploitation and colonial extraction. Images of toxic waste spills, displaced communities and conflict diamonds are not abstract stories. They are the consequences of opaque supply chains and unchecked demand.
As an ethical jewellery studio, it would be irresponsible to turn away from this reality. We believe it is our duty to share what we know so that your most meaningful purchases are framed by informed, conscious decisions.
Our ethical approach
Instead of an endless offering of options, our independent jewellery studio works with a deliberately limited palette of materials and partners - each chosen for traceability, integrity and long-term positive impact.
Our ethics rest on four pillars:
Responsible materials - Transparent supply chains - Human-scale production - Accountability beyond the jewel itself
This page introduces these cour principles. Each material and practice is explained in detail elsewhere.
"Had a brilliant experience in creating a bespoke engagement ring with Lebrusan Studio. Sustainably sourced gold and stones and a beautiful aesthetic. The whole team including Arabel Lebrusan herself were extremely helpful and made the whole experience really enjoyable.”
- Benjamin, Manchester, UK
Responsible Materials
We work primarily in gold, platinum, diamonds and sapphires, always chosen for durability, recyclability and symbolic longevity.
Every metal and stone we use is selected not only for beauty, but for the story it carries - from extraction to craft.
Certified Artisanal Fairmined Ecological gold
Artisanal gold supports small-scale miners and their communities, offering fair pay, safer working conditions and long-term social programmes through recognised certifications. It is also mined without using toxic chemicals.
Recycled+ gold & platinum
Using reclaimed precious metals dramatically reduces environmental impact, ensuring the continued circulation of the precious matter already above-ground and avoiding new extraction where possible. We've paired our 100% recycled metal with Fairmined Credits to enable us to support artisanal miners even when we're recycling. This 'Recycled+' option makes the obvious choice even better.
Conflict-free diamonds and gemstones
Every diamond and gemstone we use is fully traceable. Whether newly mined or reclaimed, each stone comes from a supplier who can account for its journey - ensuring your jewel is never shadowed by doubt.
We offer different sourcing paths depending on what you value most. We recognise that people prioritise different values when choosing a centrepiece.
Reclaimed & Repurposed materials
Reclaiming differs from recycling. It is an act of preservation rather than transformation - honouring existing craftsmanship and extending the life of precious materials.
From reclaimed old-cut diamonds to Victorian jewellery components reimagined into contemporary pieces, this approach reduces demand for new mining whilst celebrating character, history and continuity.
Created in the UK
Almost every Lebrusan Studio jewel is made by skilled UK-based craftspeople. Local production supports cultural heritage, safeguards specialist skills, and keeps our carbon footprint small.
Working close to home allows us to maintain accountability, quality and long-term relationships - central to ethical making.
Ethics beyond materials
Ethical jewellery is not only about what we make, but what we stand for.
> We have donated quarterly to The Water Project since 2015
> We plant trees for every jewel sold, in partnership with One Tree Planted
These commitments acknowledge that extraction leaves lasting impact -
and that responsibility does not end when a jewel is complete.
Leading by example
We are proud members of Fair Luxury - a collective of jewellery professionals working to transform industry standards through transparency, education and collaboration.
Our Creative Director, Arabel Lebrusan, has been involved since its founding in 2013, contributing to conferences, public discourse and policy conversations that push the industry forward.
The Ethical Jewellery Movement Manifesto
In 2024, we published the Ethical Jewellery Movement Manifesto - a statement of intent written from a place of optimism. It articulates our vision of a fairer, kinder and more sustainable jewellery industry, and serves as a compass for those who wish to move in the same direction.
Ethical jewellery is not about perfection.
It is about responsibility, transparency and choosing to do better - step by step, gram by gram.
Whether you're here to learn, to question or to choose, we believe that informed decisions have the power to shape a fairer industry and a more considered future.