A JEWEL is a story made solid, passed from one hand to another: whether it’s from your lover, friend, or parent. While some do buy jewelry on a whim, for many, jewelry is a purchase made to mark a special occasion: whether a wedding, a career goal, or just a really, really good day.

The light reflected by precious stones and metal hide a dark story, however. In each piece is a miner’s toil and a smith’s sweat. Moreover, large amounts of energy are consumed by the mining industry, contributing to the climate crisis. Mines are also one of the greatest polluters in the planet. This does not yet mention the crimes committed in the name of beautiful jewels. The path that leads from the mine to the finger is one usually paved with blood.

Vera Metals, an Instagram-based jeweler bypasses all these heartaches and moral quandaries when it comes to jewelry. Founded by Vera Juan last year, Vera Metals sells gold, vermeil (gold-plated silver), and silver pieces made with recycled metals and salvaged stones.

Ms. Juan comes from a family of jewelers, with three generations’ worth of precious stones supporting it. Her parents tried to dissuade her from a career in the jewelry business, leading her to take Biology during her years in university. But, “My passion was really there,” she said in a mixture of English and Tagalog.

“I can find nice jewelry anywhere,” she said, but sometimes, the designs in her mind wouldn’t match the ones available in the market, which was why she started making her own — going as far as to study metalsmithing.

Ms. Juan’s practice of recycling was influenced by her family. She told BusinessWorld that they would make rounds of posh villages around Metro Manila, where the wealthy would sell their damaged bracelets, rings, and such. “It’s metal. You can always melt it and reuse it.” The gold would be melted along with a chemical solution to separate impurities from the gold.

Her family would prise the stones from the settings, and maybe reset the precious stones. However, the same fate cannot be said for semiprecious stones, which she laments her family would let sit in their workshops. “It still has value! Sayang naman (What a waste).”

Her handmade creations have an almost antique effect, with the old stones and the renewed metal, and they always, always look more expensive than what they really cost (an opal ring might set you back about P3,500. That isn’t bad at all).

Her science degree influences her work: that’s what mostly drives her to recycle the stones. Her parents wanted her to go in another, older direction, but she told them, “There’s a better way” for both the consumer, and the planet.

The choices we make really do reflect more than taste, but the values we hold dear. The personal becomes ever more political as the effects of our choices in food, clothing, and now, jewelry, become more evident in their effects on society and the environment.

“In my little way, at least, I can contribute,” said Ms. Juan. With laughter, she said, “Without sacrificing fashion.”

Vera Metals are available through its Instagram account @verametals. — Joseph L. Garcia

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