Considered carats: How B Corp brand Blackacre is leading the way for sustainable jewellery
From recycled materials to transparent supply chains, luxury jewellery doesn’t get more ethical than this
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Over the past few years, the fashion landscape has changed considerably. With fast fashion steering our algorithms (and filling our landfills), for many of us our impact on the planet now heavily influences our shopping habits. However, among conversations about organic cotton and Tencel fabrics, sustainable jewellery is often left out. But for newly B Corp-certified jeweller, Blackacre, ethics are covered at the start of every conversation.
Founded by Samuel Stirrat in 2017, Blackacre began with a childhood fascination with gemology and has now evolved into one of Britain’s best homegrown jewellers. From an atelier in Chancery Lane, Blackacre crafts unique jewellery that is largely made to order. After all, there’s nothing less sustainable than creations nobody desires. Having relentlessly worked towards uncovering the historically murky sourcing methods of the fine gemstone and diamond trade, in June 2024, Blackacre was awarded B Lab’s stamp of approval. The first and only UK-based jeweller to achieve the prestigious B Corp status in 2024, the firm received a score of 99.3 in the B Corp Impact Assessment – surpassing the minimum 80 points required for certification.
All of which to say, buzzwords actually mean something at Blackacre, where sustainability is infused into the brand’s DNA. Viewing sustainability as a progressive journey, Stirrat admits it’s not possible to be fully sustainable in an industry that relies on using mined gems and metals. “We take a straight talking approach – ultimately we are using natural resources to create treasured jewels – we cannot ignore that fact,” he explains. “However, there is a right way, and a wrong way, of doing things.”
For Blackacre the right way involves an approach centred on reducing harm to the environment and benefiting communities while creating brilliant jewellery. A key practice? Expeditions to the source of precious gemstones. And, while long-haul travel might not seem ideal for a sustainability-led company, the jeweller is passionate about exploring the origins of each gemstone and sharing their journey along the way. Many of the brand’s gemstones are sourced from Sri Lanka, where low-impact mining reduces the ecological impact of jewellery. Viewing these processes first-hand feeds into the brand’s focus on education and provenance. With the team documenting these experiences, clients can gain a heightened insight into the brand’s precious world.
Specialising in one-of-a-kind bespoke and limited-edition jewellery, Blackacre works with 100 per cent recycled precious metals. So whether you opt for an engraved signet ring, a diamond-studded bracelet, or a personalised creation made with an array of gemstones, you can be sure that each glittering treasure is made with the sustainably-sourced materials. Plus, each of its suppliers adheres to a strict code of conduct that focuses on human rights and the protection of natural ecosystems.
All of Blackacre’s jewellery is handmade locally in the brand’s central London atelier using a stone-led design approach. This precise process means each setting is tailored to the gemstone used, allowing an optimal flow of light through the gem, making it the centre of attention in any design.
With B Corp backing and a team that truly cares, Blackacre is crafting heirlooms of the future. Read on for our pick of the best pieces to shop now.
Visit blackacreldn.com
