I started Curlicue NZ in 2013 because I wanted to help people find the perfect gift or keepsake — something affordable, beautiful, and made to last. But over the years, as I’ve learned more about where materials come from and how jewellery is made, my commitment to doing things the right way has only grown stronger.
I care deeply about the world we live in and the natural environment we share. That care is baked into every decision I make at Curlicue NZ — from the silver I buy, to the way I wrap your order.
What Does “Eco Friendly Jewellery” Actually Mean?
It’s a phrase that gets used a lot, but what does it really mean in practice?
Sustainable Jungle describes it well: ethical and sustainable jewellery involves transparent sourcing, responsible use of materials, fair treatment of workers, and a genuine effort to minimise environmental harm. You can read more on their site — it’s a great resource. But for me, here at Curlicue NZ, it means something very personal and very practical.
It means knowing exactly where my materials come from. It means buying from New Zealand suppliers with clear ethical guidelines. It means wasting as little as possible, recycling what I can, and constantly asking myself: could I do this better?
Why the Jewellery Industry Has a Problem
When jewellery arrives in a beautiful box, worn by gorgeous models, it’s easy to focus on the sparkle and ignore the story behind it. But the jewellery industry — like fast fashion — has a significant environmental and ethical footprint, and most of it starts underground.
Mining for precious metals and gemstones can cause serious harm, even when regulations are followed:
- Soil erosion, sinkholes, and loss of biodiversity from surface stripping and excavation
- Water contamination from toxic chemicals like cyanide, mercury, and sulfuric acid, used to separate metals from ore
- Air pollution from volatile organic compounds and hazardous fumes released during processing
- Greenhouse gas emissions — it’s estimated that every mined carat releases around 57kg of carbon into the atmosphere
- Dangerous materials in finished jewellery — nickel, cadmium, lead, and PVC — that can harm both the wearer and the planet
In developing countries, where environmental regulations may be less strictly enforced, the consequences can be even more severe — from large-scale lead poisoning to heavy metal soil contamination affecting entire communities.
And it’s not just the mining. Transparency across the jewellery supply chain is notoriously difficult — raw materials are often mined in one country, processed in another, and turned into finished jewellery in a third. It becomes very hard to know whose hands something has passed through, and in what conditions.
To put the scale in perspective: the Diamond Council of America estimates that 250 tonnes of earth is moved to produce just one carat of polished diamond. Some mines are now so large they’re visible from space.
All of this, for something smaller than your fingernail.
So, What Am I Doing About It?
Quite a lot, actually — and I’m always looking for ways to do more.
Recycled Silver — and Keeping it Local
All Curlicue NZ pieces are made with 100% recycled sterling silver (.925) or Argentium silver (.935, which is more tarnish-resistant), along with recycled copper wires and plate metals.
I purchase almost all of my silver from Morris and Watson or Regal — both New Zealand companies with strict ethical guidelines around their supply chains, workplace practices, and refining systems. Buying local matters to me, and it means I can trust where my materials come from.
“Recycled” here means exactly what it sounds like. My suppliers take scrap silver from jewellers, hobbyists, industrial sources — even old photographs — and refine it back to pure metal. That refined silver becomes the wire and sheet I use to handcraft your jewellery. And when I’m done? I sell my own scrap silver back to Regal to be recycled all over again.
Zero Waste in the Studio
I aim for as close to zero waste as possible. Small findings like hooks, clasps, and jump rings are hand-made from leftover wire. Any remaining scraps are collected and eventually re-melted for reuse. Nothing goes in the bin if I can help it.
The R3 Collection — Jewellery from Milk Bottles
One of my favourite examples of sustainable thinking in action is the R3 collection — a range of earrings crafted entirely from repurposed plastic milk bottles. It’s a small collection, but it always sparks a conversation, and I love that. Find out more about R3 here →
Repairs, Upcycling & Heirloom Jewellery
I also offer jewellery repairs, and I love helping customers breathe new life into older pieces — using beads, stones, or components from family heirlooms to create something new and meaningful. It’s one of the most sustainable things you can do with jewellery: keep it in the family, and keep it out of landfill.
Where I Work
All Curlicue NZ pieces are made entirely by my hands — cutting, smoothing, and carefully wrapping wire; hammering to harden and shape; sanding and polishing until each piece is just right.
My studio is in the downstairs area of our solar-powered home in sunny, north-facing Titirangi, West Auckland. My commute? Just a flight of stairs.
Sustainable Packaging
Every Curlicue NZ order arrives sustainably packaged in a cotton bag with tissue paper and cotton cord. I’m also happy to add a small handmade gift tag (with ‘To’, ‘From’, and a short message) at no extra charge.
For something extra special, my Premium Gift Wrapping option includes a woven flax bag (kete), kraft paper, cotton cord, and a hand-printed card with your message written inside by me — in my own handwriting.
I never include invoices or receipts in parcels, and I’m always happy to send directly to your recipient.
Every Piece Tells a Better Story
Choosing eco-friendly jewellery isn’t just about what you wear — it’s about what you value. At Curlicue NZ, every piece is made with care for the people and the planet behind it.
If you’d like to know more about any of my materials or processes, I’d love to hear from you. Or if you’re ready to find something beautiful, explore the shop here.