When it comes to the mainstream jewellery industry, not all that glitters is gold. From unethical practices to outrageous pricing, here are five reasons why the industry could use a serious shakeup, and what we at Elle Adore are doing about it.

Selling Plated Jewellery for a Fortune

Plated jewellery might look great on the display shelf, but its longevity leaves much to be desired. Shelling out hundreds of pounds or dollars for such pieces could leave you out of pocket, with jewellery that simply doesn’t stand the test of time. 

At Elle Adore, we’re passionate about quality over ostentation, prioritising gold-filled or solid gold jewellery, crafted to be cherished for a lifetime. And when we sell gold-plated jewellery, we make it clear to our customers how to care for it to extend its life. 

Artificially Inflating Prices through Controlled Supply

The De Beers myth isn't just a legend - for years, the diamond industry manipulated supply to keep prices sky-high. Unfortunately, such practices extend beyond diamonds, with many high-street jewellery stores charging much more for their jewellery, to keep up the appearance that their pieces are more valuable, which is simply not true. 

At Elle Adore, we believe in fair pricing, and we're committed to providing beautiful statement pieces at an accessible cost. We’re able to do this because we’re not bound by the constraints of controlled markets or shareholder demands.

Expensive Overheads in Chain Stores 

It’s worth considering where your money goes when you pay a hefty price tag at a high-end chain store. A considerable part of your expenditure is funnelled towards store rental and upkeep, marketing, staff wages, and more. The actual value you're getting in return is questionable at best. 

As an independent, online jewellery store, Elle Adore keeps it simple, supplying our customers with quality pieces we’ve sourced directly from the artisans who craft them, thus keeping costs low and circumventing unnecessary expenses.

Ethical Concerns in Sourcing Materials

Beyond the glamour and sparkle, the jewellery industry harbours some dark secrets. Many companies source raw materials from areas with lax labour standards and destructive environmental practices. Issues such as 'blood diamonds' and ecological harm caused by mining are distressingly prevalent. In order to drive bigger profits from selling more expensive gems sourced from mining, some of the larger chains have even banned their salespeople from admitting that lab-grown gems, as opposed to mined ones, are more ethical or less environmentally-destructive!

At Elle Adore, we’re serious about seeking out ethical suppliers and conflict-free, environment-friendly products, as well as utilising recycled and non-plastic packaging materials whenever possible, to ensure our jewellery pieces are as kind to the world as they are beautiful.

Fast-Fashion Mentality

Many jewellery companies subscribe to a fast-fashion mentality, focusing more on fleeting trends than creating timeless pieces that endure. This mindset might contribute to whopping profits for them, but ultimately it creates unnecessary waste and devalues the significance of jewellery. 

At Elle Adore, we believe jewellery should be more than just an accessory. It should be an expression of who you are, hold symbolic and sentimental value, and have durability to stand the test of time; not just be discarded when it falls out of fashion.

We're dedicated to challenging and changing these industry norms. We offer transparency in pricing, we prioritise ethical sourcing, and we take immense pride in each piece having been crafted with love. When you choose our jewellery, you’re investing in not just a beautiful ornament for you or your loved ones, but one that is kind to both the people who make it, and to our planet. 

Come experience the Elle Adore difference today by visiting our store.