Ecological and responsible practices are deeply important to me, which is why I strive to choose the most environmentally friendly solutions in everything—from jewellery materials and production to packaging. My jewellery boxes and shipping materials are eco-friendly ECO boxes from Westpack. The product description cards inside the boxes are printed on recycled paper, and the silk paper I use is also part of Westpack’s ECO product line.

With the exception of earring backs, chains, and clasps, my jewellery is entirely handcrafted. All the silver I use is 100% recycled sterling silver, an alloy consisting of 92.5% silver and 7.5% copper. This is the most commonly used composition in jewellery due to its optimal tone, workability, and durability.

The silver is bought from NSG in Sweden, whose precious metals and semi-finished products are ethically and sustainably recycled from metal scrap. While this process does have some environmental impact, it is significantly more sustainable than mining. I also reuse leftover silver from my own production by melting and repurposing it.

I stamp my jewellery with a name and fineness mark whenever possible, depending on the size and shape of the piece, and of course always when it is required by law. According to Finnish legislation, all silver jewellery weighing over 10 grams and all gold jewellery weighing over 1 gram must be stamped with appropriate name and fineness marks. Atelier Hanki’s registered name stamp is HNK. The silver I use has a fineness of 92.5%, so the fineness mark is 925. You can read more about hallmarking precious metal products on the Tukes website.

Precious metal jewellery is long-lasting, as the material itself never becomes unusable. A piece can be repaired or at least melted down and reworked. For example, broken or detached links and earring posts can often be soldered back or replaced. Naturally, silver jewellery wears over time, and sometimes unexpected damage occurs. Atelier Hanki jewellery is generally serviceable and repairable, so I encourage you to reach out in such cases to restore your piece.

I source gemstones and jewellery stones from trusted Finnish retailers, though unfortunately, the exact origin of the stones is not always traceable. Occasionally, I work with recycled stones, which also makes their origin uncertain. The lava stones I use are environmentally friendly, as they are collected from surface deposits rather than mined. The coral I use is either recycled or obtained from leftover stock—I do not purchase new coral, as its formation is extremely slow and the environmental impact of harvesting it is unclear.

Supporting small-scale entrepreneurship and craftsmanship is an ethical choice compared to cheap, disposable mass production often made under questionable conditions. By supporting a Finnish female solo entrepreneur, you are supporting local work, guaranteed ethical working conditions, and direct, transparent communication with the maker.

As an artist, I want to highlight values that matter to me: responsible consumption, preservation of biodiversity, social justice, and equal human rights. My art is a form of protest and a statement on these themes. As a white woman living a privileged and safe life, I see speaking about these issues as a social responsibility.

I have raised funds for charity through my jewellery and regularly make personal and business donations to environmental protection efforts and to support people in crisis situations.

I strive to be as transparent as possible in my work, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions about these topics!