The Workshop: Where Art Meets Craftsmanship
Step into my world of bespoke jewellery, where traditional craftsmanship meets contemporary design. Under the Commissions and Remodelling sections, you’ll discover a range of services tailored to transform your ideas into one-of-a-kind pieces. Whether you’re looking to breathe new life into heirloom jewellery or commission a unique creation, my workshop offers boundless possibilities.
Explore my Portfolio, where each piece reflects the artistry of handcrafted excellence, you might want to learn more about the jeweller behind the work.Â
My Background: A Journey Through Design and Craftsmanship
With an international arts education and a passion for ethical jewellery, I have honed my craftsmanship through years of dedication and experience.
My blog offers a glimpse into my creative process, the latest designs, special commissions, and my thoughts and insights in my jewellery practices. Stay connected and follow my journey through social media for exclusive updates and behind-the-scenes insights.
Ethical Precious Metals: Responsible Sourcing for a Better Future
The jewellery industry has long been associated with environmental and ethical concerns. That’s why I take a stand for responsible sourcing. By choosing ethical metals, I help support fair wages, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental protection.
Transparency Matters
I want you to know exactly where my materials come from and why I choose ethical sources. I work with small-scale artisanal miners, ensuring that every gram of metal I use contributes to community development and sustainability.
Fairmined Jewellery: A Commitment to Quality
Saskia Shutt Designs is a Fairmined licensed brand, meaning my jewellery is crafted from Fairmined Eco gold and Fairmined silver—metals that are traceable, responsibly sourced, and environmentally sustainable.
Why Fairmined?
Fair pay for miners
Safer working conditions
Environmental protection
Every Fairmined jeweller undergoes strict third-party audits, ensuring full traceability of the metals from mine to market.
Fairmined Eco Gold: A Personal Journey to Peru and Colombia
My commitment to ethical jewellery is more than just a sourcing choice—it’s a personal journey. I’ve had the incredible privilege of travelling to both Peru and Colombia to visit Fairmined gold mines, where the very metals I use are extracted with care for both people and the planet.
In 2022, I travelled to Peru, and visit three mining communities; CECOMIP, Oro Puno and Cruz Pata. Here I witnessed firsthand how Fairmined-certified miners work with integrity, ensuring that every gram of gold is extracted responsibly. Meeting the miners and hearing their stories was a humbling experience. Their dedication to sustainable, small-scale mining and their commitment to protecting their land deeply resonated with me. Seeing how circular their mining operations are—where every step is considered to reduce impact—was truly inspiring.
Then, in 2023, I journed to Colombia, where I met the Chede and Iquira Fairmined miners. Once again, I was struck by the passion and resilience of the miners. Sitting with them, sharing our experiences, and discussing our mutual dedication to sustainability was an unforgettable moment. These miners are not just extracting gold—they are part of a movement that prioritises ethical practices, fair wages, and environmental stewardship.
What makes these visits so meaningful is the human connection. It’s one thing to source ethical materials, but to meet the people behind them—to see their hard work, to hear their voices, and to witness the impact of Fairmined certification on their lives—is something truly special. It reinforces my belief that jewellery should tell a story of responsibility, respect, and sustainability.
This is why I proudly craft my jewellery using Fairmined Eco gold and silver. Every piece carries with it the values of fairness, transparency, and a shared commitment to a better future.
Mercury-Free Mining: A Step Towards a Cleaner Future
I support the Better Without Mercury project, an initiative aiding the Gualconda mine in Colombia in eliminating mercury use. This programme focuses on clean-up, restoration, and education, fostering sustainable change in the industry.
Responsibly Mined Gemstones
The jewellery industry can be exploitative, but I choose transparency and ethical sourcing. By partnering with responsible mining initiatives, I ensure fair wages, sustainable community development, and environmental responsibility.
Moyo Gemstones
Moyo Gems is an inspiring ethical sourcing initiative that empowers women artisanal miners in Tanzania by providing them with fair market access, training, and support. Founded by Stuart Pool (Nineteen48) and Monica Stephenson (ANZA Gems), this project ensures that these talented miners receive fair pay and improved working conditions. I’m proud to support Moyo Gems and incorporate their stunning, responsibly sourced gemstones into my jewellery. During consultations, I introduce my customers to this initiative, sharing the story behind these gems and offering them the option to have their bespoke pieces created using Moyo gemstones.”
Ocean Diamonds: Nature’s Timeless Treasure
Ocean Diamonds are ethically sourced by skilled local divers, many of whom are fishermen with a deep understanding of the ocean, passed down through generations. Using responsible and environmentally sensitive techniques, they retrieve these natural diamonds from the seabed without the need for large-scale mining, preserving marine ecosystems. Unlike traditionally mined diamonds, these gems have been shaped by nature over billions of years—eroded from ancient diamond-rich deposits on land, carried by rivers, and eventually settled in the ocean depths. Each Ocean Diamond comes with a certified provenance and a location map, ensuring full traceability and a unique connection to its extraordinary journey.
Diamonds for Peace
I support Diamonds for Peace, a non-profit organisation helping diamond miners in Liberia. Founded by Ms. Chie Murakami in 2014, this initiative is dedicated to ethical diamond sourcing.
In 2023, I had the profound experience of travelling to Liberia, where I stayed with the diamond mining communities for 12 days. Living alongside the miners, I witnessed their daily lives, the challenges they face, and the sheer determination they have to mine responsibly despite limited resources. It was humbling to see firsthand the importance of ethical diamond sourcing and how initiatives like Diamonds for Peace empower these communities. Sharing meals, stories, and laughter with the miners and their families deepened my understanding of their struggles and their hopes for a better, more sustainable future.
This experience reaffirmed my commitment to ethical sourcing—not just as a jeweller but as someone who deeply values the human connection behind each piece of jewellery I create. If you’d like to get involved, consider making a one-off donation or monthly contribution to support these communities.
Sustainable Studio Practices: Creating with Integrity
My studio is built on the principles of sustainability and ethical craftsmanship. From sourcing materials to minimising waste, every aspect of my process reflects my commitment to the planet and fair trade.
Â
Eco-friendly alternatives: I replaced nitric acid with citric acid—a safer, biodegradable option used in food production.
Sustainable polishing: I use Luxi water-based polishing pastes, reducing harmful fumes and improving workplace safety.
Metal recycling: My workshop has a precious metals recycling bin, collecting everything from polishing dust to worn-out tools. Once full, the materials are refined and reintroduced into the industry.
Â
Sustainable Packaging & Business Practices
I continuously refine my packaging to align with my sustainability goals:
Recycled business cards: My cards, made from 100% recycled cotton linters, were originally created from discarded cotton T-shirts, but the company opted for the cotton linters instead.
Carbon-neutral website hosting: My website is hosted by Kualo, a company committed to reducing digital carbon footprints through sustainable energy solutions.
Eco-friendly jewellery packaging: I’ve transitioned from repurposed cosmetic containers to FSC-certified fine cardboard boxes, ensuring both sustainability and elegance.
I’m still researching the best alternatives for foam inserts and continually strive to improve my packaging solutions.
Creating Jewellery with a Conscience
Jewellery is more than just adornment—it tells a story. By choosing Saskia Shutt Designs, you’re not just investing in exquisite craftsmanship, but also in sustainability, ethical sourcing, and fair trade.
Let’s create something meaningful together. Book an appointment to discuss your ideas and be part of a movement that values beauty with integrity.
