B Corp Brands Are Catching On—These Are the Only Jewelry Brands That Have Made the Grade
Emili Vesilind November 30, 2021
"In 2021, consumers have easy access to virtually all of humankind’s accrued knowledge—thank you, Internet! Many even enjoy doing light background checks (a.k.a intensive Google searches), on the companies they patronize.
More recently, consumers looking to buy from sustainability-conscious companies are comforted when they see a big “B” on the boxes and tags of the products they’re buying. The “B” designation shows that the company is a Certified B Corporation—meaning it’s been vetted by nonprofit B Labs as a brand that meets high standards of “verified social and environmental performance,” public transparency, and legal accountability, “to balance profit and purpose,” according to company literature.
So-called “B Corps,” a stable that includes jewelry brand Monica Rich Kosann and clothing companies Patagonia and Eileen Fisher, have undergone B Labs’ rigorous certification process, and have undoubtedly made changes during that process to render them better and more accountable businesses. The certification process—which studies a company’s governance, workers, customers, environment, and community—is notoriously arduous (jewelry designer Rich Kosann told me it took her brand about a year to get through the process).
It’s designed that way, to support B Labs’ lofty overarching goals, which include lowering poverty levels and supporting equality, healthier environments, stronger communities, and the creation of more high-quality jobs.
Only a handful of jewelry companies have undergone the certification process, and only one watch brand, Solios Watches, has hurdled it. But the trend of consumers vetting their retailers, fueled by concern about climate change, workers’ rights, and more, isn’t going away. So, it’s safe to expect we’ll see more brands join the “B” ranks.
Here are the 18 jewelry and watch brands that have already made the grade, and have become Certified B Corporations. ... "
A model wearing Monica Rich Kosann jewelry (courtesy @monicarichkosann)
https://thezingreport.com/2021/11/b-cor ... e=hs_email