Welcome Completedworks
On our continual mission to bring you the most unique products we're delighted to welcome London based accessories brand Completedworks into the fold. Their creations are true works of art of the adornment kind.
Completedworks documents the beauty and complexity of the everyday through the practice of jewellery and ceramics. Working primarily from recycled materials, the brand's signature pieces gently roll against the tide of convention - using sculptural forms that weave, loop, twist, flow, enfold and expand to explore broader questions about the human condition and trade blows with history, politics and the language of art.
Whilst adding a unique point of difference to your wedding day look, these pieces are designed to be treasured and enjoyed long after your celebration. We like to think of them as modern keepsakes, that evoke memories time and time again for many years to come.
We've chosen to showcase this brand not only because of the beautiful accessories and objects they create but also for their commitment to putting sustainability at the core of everything they do. Read on for an insight into their sustainable practises, their impact and why they work with their chosen materials.
We draw inspiration from a better future and invest in ensuring our work has little impact on the environment.
We take responsibility for prioritising recycled materials in the pieces we make and working in a manner that is enlightened and intimate. Completedworks' pieces are designed to last for decades and are created by master artisans according to our mission of championing a sculptural aesthetic that - transcending both seasons and trends - aspires to be permanently relevant in a changing world. All our gold jewellery is made from either recycled or Fairtrade gold, while a significant proportion of our silver is made from recycled or reclaimed silver.
Design Process
The Completedworks design process is built around challenging consumerism and over-consumption by creating classically designed pieces that remain relevant even when the world changes. We consciously avoid trends that feel momentary or transient in favour of an aesthetic which is more poetic, graceful and long-lasting.
The Cost of Mining
In order to extract enough gold to produce one wedding band, 20 tons of waste is created. For perspective, that means that for every five wedding bands made we are responsible for an amount of mining waste equivalent to the weight of one blue whale.
But the true cost of mining was also highlighted to us by a book of photographs by Sebastião Salgado. The book included images he took at the Serra Pelada gold mine in north-west Brazil in 1986 - shocking images, almost pre-industrial in their visceral depiction of the miners - they caused us to think completely differently about mining.
Packaging
All our cardboard boxes are made from recycled paper which reduces greenhouse gas emissions that can contribute to climate change, and uses 70% less energy, 80% less water and produces 39% less solid waste than paper made from virgin fibres.
We use pouches made from a mix of cotton and ramie - a strong natural fibre derived from nettles (Boehmeria nivea). They can be reused, recycled or composed. We have partnered with One Tree Planted to plant trees matching the consumption of packaging and cardboard we use across our company.
Carbon Offsetting
We offset the carbon emissions of our shipping through DHL GoGreen Logistics.
Recycled Silver & Gold
We use recycled metals processed by refiners that are dedicated to taking responsibility for adopting the best sustainable practices as soon as they become available. It is made by expert metalsmiths that simply melt down existing silver or gold to give a result that looks and feels exactly the same as new metal just without the same environmental impact. Using recycled silver reduces CO2 emissions by two thirds compared to mined silver. It helps to slow the consumption of natural resources, reduces water usage, and reduces the environmental impact of mining such as erosion and ground water contamination with high levels of mercury and cyanide.
Fairtrade Gold
All non-recycled or reclaimed gold used in our work is certified Fairtrade. Fairtrade Certified Gold is a globally recognised certification system for gold that ensures small-scale and artisan miners from whom the gold is bought are paid a fair price, as well as protecting the environment, ensuring decent working conditions and sustainable practices for local communities.
Conflict-free Diamonds
We work with conflict-free diamonds coming only from companies that adhere to the Kimberley Process, preventing the distribution of conflict diamonds in both rough and polished cut stones.
Canadian Diamonds
With a reputation as one of the most ethically and environmentally conscious choices for diamonds, we offer diamonds that are certified from Canadian mines. The mining and production of all Canadian diamonds is subject to standards set by the Canadian Code of Conduct and the Government of the Northwest Territories. This strict code is designed to protect the Arctic environment, mine workers, and local employees. They are sought after across the world not just for their conflict-free origins, but for their fewer internal irregularities allowing a better flow of light through the stones.
You'll find our curated collection of Completedworks in store and online.
