Ethics

Zoë Porter Jewellery is centred around slowly made, fine jewellery with a focus on sustainability and ethical practices.

Environmentally friendly processes are a must wherever possible in my workshop, which is a creative space I share with other jewellery makers and designers in Wellington.

I source all raw materials from local suppliers I know and trust as I believe it is important to know where they have come from. I buy all ‘new’ metal from local companies here in New Zealand, who use largely recycled metals themselves and the small remainder being mined in New Zealand and Australia.

I use any scrap metal that is left over to create new designs, such as the recycled gold stacker rings that I pop up for sale on my store from time to time. I also keep my vacuum bags from the workshop and have them melted down to save any silver, gold or platinum dust that has been sucked up. When I say I like to use recycled metals, I mean every last dust particle!

All gemstones are sourced from trusted suppliers with special care and consideration. Diamonds are obtained from reputable sellers who trade only in ethically sourced and sustainably mined stones, assuring that they are conflict-free. Many of my coloured gemstones are sourced from a local company and local gemologists, who expertly source their stones from around the world. It is important to me that I work with suppliers I have great long-standing relationships with and who follow ethical procedures to ensure we use only the best.

A rewarding part of my work is making something new from my clients' existing or inherited jewellery. As I particularly enjoy using recycled materials, I love melting down the gold to use again and recycling the stones into a new design.

By creating timeless designs and special heirlooms with as little impact on our environment as possible, Zoë Porter Jewellery can be not only worn everyday but passed down for future generations to enjoy too.

If you would like to start your own personalised design process or have any queries relating to how I operate, please get in touch.