Why Ethical Stones Matter in Modern Jewellery
(And Why It’s All We’ve Ever Done)
In a world more conscious than ever about the impact of our choices, jewellery is no exception. Gone are the days when a shiny stone was enough — today’s buyers want more: ethical sourcing, sustainable materials, fairtrade gold, and a transparent story behind every piece. And rightly so.
At Debra Fallowfield, we’ve always made jewellery differently. For nearly 30 years, we’ve been creating handmade gold rings in Australia and New Zealand using ethical, low-impact practices — long before “sustainable jewellery” became an industry trend. Every ring we make is a small rebellion against mass production — a one-of-a-kind treasure, created by real hands, not machines.
We are a two-person operation — small, deliberate, and personal. No production lines, no outsourcing, no greenwashing. Just honest, ethical, bespoke jewellery made with care, integrity, and attention to detail.
đź’Ž What Are Ethical Stones, Really?
When we say “ethical stones,” we mean exactly that — gemstones that are conflict-free, transparently sourced, and as low-impact as possible. This includes:
Lab-grown Moissanite — a conflict-free, low-carbon alternative to traditional diamonds
Natural sapphires, tourmalines, and spinels from trusted miners and small-scale suppliers
Vintage and recycled gemstones whenever possible
A strict no-go on stones with murky supply chains or environmental destruction
Over three decades in the trade, we’ve built solid relationships with reputable suppliers both in Australia and internationally. We know where our stones come from — and just as importantly, where they haven’t.
🌿 Why We Love Moissanite (and You Might Too)
We’re often asked why we work with moissanite, and the answer is simple: it sparkles like a dream, is nearly as hard as diamond, and is so much more ethical and affordable.
Lab-grown moissanite offers a modern, sustainable solution for couples who care about what their ring represents — without compromising on beauty or durability. Whether you’re drawn to blue moissanite, champagne tones, or olive green stones, there’s a shade and style to suit every soul.
Plus, we love that moissanite lets our clients go big and bold — think 3ct+ centre stones — without the diamond price tag or the ethical concerns.
💛 Fairtrade & Recycled Gold — Always
Gold is beautiful, but traditional gold mining can be devastating for people and the planet. That’s why we choose to work with recycled gold and Fairtrade materials wherever possible.
We melt and handwork all our gold in-studio, ensuring total control over the process from start to finish. Every ring is custom-made to order, using traditional tools and techniques that celebrate the slowness of true craftsmanship.
This is not fast fashion. This is slow jewellery — the kind that holds meaning, memory, and a legacy worth passing on.
🌍 Small Studio, Global Reach
Even though we’re based in Noosa (and originally from Dunedin, NZ), our rings travel all over the world. Thanks to the deep trust we’ve built with our clients — and our refusal to compromise on style or ethics — we’ve had the honour of creating heirlooms for couples across the UK, US, Europe, Canada, and Asia.
We don’t do mass-produced, stock-standard designs. Instead, we work closely with people who want something different — a ring that speaks to them. Bold, raw, organic, modern, perfectly imperfect.
đź–¤ Why It All Matters
Jewellery should be more than just beautiful — it should also be responsible. Every decision we make — from where our gold comes from, to how our stones are sourced, to how many pieces we take on each month — is guided by a single belief:
That ethical jewellery should never look boring.
We don’t just want to look good. We want to do good.