Interview with Sophie Hughes

Sophie Hughes created her eponymous jewellery brand out of a passion for creating wearable sculptures. With a real commitment to sustainability, Sophie believes the brand needs to “feel good about making and you should good about wearing” her timeless, beautiful pieces. “If we’re not doing it right, why do it at all?”

Using recycled diamonds and sustainable and ethical gemstones, Sophie makes her jewellery with recycled gold.

I grew up on the coast of Maine, in an artsy little town. The high school actually had a jewellery class, and that was my first taste! I always felt creatively inclined and spent a lot of time in the art department, but none of the other mediums clicked with me (I still can’t paint or draw to save my life!).

The process of making tiny, wearable sculptures - balancing form and function - just satisfied my soul. I completed an apprenticeship with a local jeweller while still in high school and went on to get a bachelor’s degree in Metalsmithing from Mass College of Art & Design in Boston.

I opened my first studio shortly after graduating, and I’ve had my brand for nearly 15 years now.

Jewellery design for me is an inquisitive journey to create pieces that are as elegant, minimalist, and timeless as they are distinctive.

I’m not chasing any trends because I want my jewellery to last my clients a lifetime - not just in quality, but in enduring design. I love the subtle imperfections that distinguish handmade jewellery.

I’m inspired to continually keep pushing our sustainability practices as we have over the past years, because there’s always room for improvement and it’s crucial to me that the beauty I create is not at the expense of the earth or people.

Our client is someone who appreciates design and prioritises quality. Our clients are city folks who lead outdoorsy lifestyles, like hiking in Maine on the weekends!

They’re searching for timeless pieces – understated and minimalist – that are unique without being trendy. Our clients are mindful consumers, supporting small businesses and sincerely caring about sustainability.

The Eliza Studs feel like they tell the story of where I’ve come from and reflect where the brand began. As I said earlier, I earned a degree in Metalsmithing and these earrings are hand-forged, recycled 18k yellow gold. They are simple and classic, but have a distinctive shape, scale, and texture.

Growing up in coastal Maine, I was surrounded by the beautiful outdoors and spent most of my time outside. I quickly gained an appreciation for nature, and when I started creating jewellery, I knew I did not want it to be at the expense of the environment. At the time, I saw a gap in the industry of beautifully designed, fine jewellery that was also sustainably made – and I wanted to fill it.

I wish the public realised how damaging gold mining is. 95% of carbon emissions in the jewellery industry come from the mining and production of metals. Moreover, mercury is a huge pollution issue in the gold mining industry, poisoning the drinking water of the surrounding communities, and contaminating their food sources.

Most people are cognisant of the ethical and environmental considerations of diamonds, but using recycled gold is just as crucial. We exclusively use certified post-consumer recycled gold. Recognising the greater opportunity for change, we put our money where our mouth is through our partnership with 1% for the Planet.

We donate 1% of our sales to non-profits fighting to save the environment and protect public health, like the organisation Earthworks who focuses on holding corporations accountable for responsible mining.

I’m developing designs for everyday based on my iconic engagement ring designs. Think minimalist necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets featuring reclaimed diamonds and sustainable gemstones in settings similar to those I make for my rings.

Finding gemstones that meet our sustainability standards is super challenging, so I’m incorporating them as I find them, but would love to offer more colour options someday soon!