Since 2022, when 0% of our base materials were recycled, now 47% of our collections contain an element of recycled Brass, Sterling silver or Stainless Steel. We introduced Stainless Steel into our Luxe range, a more environmentally friendly material, using a vacuum plating process, which is more durable, made to last longer and is tarnish free. We also launched a Vintage collection, which is a curation of vintage costume jewellery expertly sourced and curated by our buying team, ready to be loved and worn again. All items are one-of-a-kind sourced from secret locations across the UK, an option for customers that want a more conscious alternative than buying new.
SUSTAINABILITY & RESPONSIBILITY
We take responsibility for our brand to have minimal impact on the environment, a positive impact on our community and to be supportive of our team both at home and our makers overseas. Sustainability to us is about taking responsibility, making steps toward the end goal, which is creating a brand that is a positive force, doing more good than harm. We continue to make progress, it’s an ongoing journey which we have built into different areas of our business.
SUMMARY OF 2024 PROGRESS:
In summary, 2024 has been very positive, the result of lots of small steps over the last 3 years has resulted in some real progress:
RECYCLED MATERIALS
RECYCLABLE PACKAGING
Since 2023, we have switched to using FSC certified cardboard and paper for our Gift envelopes, Gift boxes and product carding. This is fully recyclable. We use fabric pouches and introduced a suedette pouch, which can be re-used for jewellery storage. The pouch for our Vintage collection uses deadstock fabric and ribbon, which can also be re-used for Jewellery Storage.
OUR STORE
We opened our very first store this year, it has been a dream, ever since our concessions within Topshop closed. Using natural wood, offcuts of natural stone and environmentally friendly paints we created a calm space with a premium feel. Our displays are made using recycled birch and environmentally friendly paint. The store is furnished using Vintage sourced props and one of a kind pieces.
Our pillars for Sustainability, put simply our way of communicating our Sustainability plan to you.
PRODUCT
OUR ETHOS
We are committed to using the best possible materials to create a great quality, long-lasting product at an affordable price. In our area of the jewellery market - like the fashion industry as a whole - there’s a balance between the prices we offer and the sustainability of the materials we use. We tread this line really carefully and are working hard to offer you more sustainable options to choose from at the price you love.
MAIN COLLECTION
CONTEMPORARY, TREND-LED, AFFORDABLE: High quality costume jewellery, all styles are produced in brass and electro plated using either 18k gold or 925 sterling silver, finished in an anti-tarnish coating. Brass is a durable, long-lasting and cost-effective base material to use for jewellery, Each piece is designed in-house with a high level of detail, our mission being to bring you beautiful, quality jewellery at a price you'll love. Our commitment is to be both aspirational and affordable.Orelia carding is made from FSC card and is fully recyclable.
LUXE WATERPROOF
WATERPROOF, ELEVATED, PREMIUM QUALITY: Modern classics with considered design details, the Orelia Luxe collection is made for everyday styling. Plated in 18k Gold PVD or 925 Silver, these elevated classics are waterproof, made from durable and environmentally conscious 316L Stainless Steel, the jewellery is vacuum plated for a long-lasting wearPresented in a complimentary blush microfibre pouch, these are the timeless pieces you'll treasure for years to come.
LUXE STERLING SILVER
ELEGANT, DELICATE, TIMELESS: Timeless jewellery in a finer handwriting, this collection is 925 Sterling Silver* based and plated in 18k Gold or 925 Silver. Using elevated materials such as semi-precious stones and freshwater pearl, all pieces are hallmarked with the 925 stamp. Presented in a complimentary blush microfibre pouch.
MENS
Our Men’s range, a capsule jewellery collection for unisex styling. Plated in 18k Gold or a polished steel finish, these modern classics are waterproof and made from durable, environmentally conscious 316L Stainless Steel. Orelia carding is made from FSC card and is fully recyclable.
VINTAGE
Jewellery that has a story, Orelia Vintage is a curation of vintage costume jewellery expertly sourced and curated by our buying team, ready to be loved and worn again. All items are one-of-a-kind sourced from secret locations across the UK.Each item will arrive packed in a pouch made from dead stock fabric, handmade by the Orelia family.
PIERCINGS
Add to your ear stack with our selection of piercings suitable for healed cartilage piercings. Available in a mix of barbell, labret and push pin backings as well as clicker hoops. The material used is 316L Surgical Steel or 925 Sterling Silver base with 18k Gold or 925 Sterling silver plating. Styles are plated with PVD technology for longer wear. Piercings come packaged in a sealed branded box for hygiene reasons.
MAKERS
We work with a select group of makers, having worked with our main maker since Orelia began in 2008.
We only work with makers who are committed to operating in line with the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) base code which requires that:
• Employment is freely chosen;
• Workers have a choice;
• Living wages are paid;
• Working conditions are safe; and
• Child labour is not used.
We work with our makers to ensure regular checks and audits are carried out by the appropriate regulating bodies (BSCI and SEDEX). We have Tier 1 audits for all of our makers.
We recognise that the manufacture of our products will have an environmental impact; our suppliers are governed by strict local environmental laws with which they must comply.
ACCREDITATION
We have always strived to use the highest quality materials, we test our product regularly in line with industry standards and current legislation.
To comply with REACH regulations, we have a long-term partnership with the laboratory at the Birmingham Assay Office ensuring only the safest materials are used. All recycled materials are certified to Recycled Claim Standard (RCS)
PLANET
PACKAGING
Since our re-brand in Autumn 2024, we have switched to using FSC certified cardboard and paper for our Gift envelopes, Gift boxes and product carding. This is fully recyclable.
We use fabric pouches and introduced a suedette pouch, which can be re-used for jewellery storage. The pouch for our Vintage collection uses deadstock fabric and ribbon.
Currently each piece arrives in a single use plastic bag to protect the jewellery from getting scratched or tangled. We are sourcing a more sustainable option which will be a recyclable alternative. More about this in our Targets for 2026 below.
Our mailer boxes that are used to send online orders are 100% recycled and fully-recyclable. Sealed with recyclable paper tape.
PRE-LOVED
A big part of our inspiration has always been Vintage, it made sense for us to introduce a Vintage collection. This collection is existing, one of a kind pieces sourced from local markets. We source, curate and sterilise the pieces to make owning Vintage, one-off pieces accessible for our customers. This offers an alternative to shopping brand new.
PURPOSE
CHARITY
We are proud to have partnered with Smart Works for the past five years, they do incredible work helping women and giving them confidence to get back into the workplace. They coach and dress their clients to get them interview ready, making sure they feel good and look good.
We support with regular jewellery donations, team volunteering at their centre and more recently a collaboration where all profits are donated to the charity.
LONGEVITY
We design our ranges in-house, keeping the size of our collections and volumes deliberately small to minimize waste. We don’t buy into ‘fast fashion’ and aim to design pieces that are made to last.
ACHIEVEMENTS
We are proud to have made the following steps and have created dedicated sustainable ranges:
• 2024 Capsule Christmas party range that was made from 100% recycled brass.
• Our current Sterling Silver charm collection is 100% Recycled
• Susan Caplan Collaboration in 2023 – we used re-purposed vintage Swarovski crystals from Susan’s archives using 100% recycled brass metal
In 2025
WINNER of The Industry Sustainable Sourcing (Intimates & Accessories)
PEOPLE
FEMALE EMPOWERMENT + LEADERSHIP
Orelia is female found and led, we have a team that are predominantly female (95% of our team are female!)
We champion female owned and run businesses within our local community.
Our longest standing jewellery maker is female owned and based in Seoul, South Korea. The team that work with her are also predominantly female.
OUR TEAM
We are a small team working closely between our Office, distribution centre and Store. See us here all glammed up at our Christmas party!
Offering hybrid and flexible working hours, we encourage a healthy work life balance.
We provide Healthcare to all employees through Vitality, incentives are given for active lifestyles.
COMMUNITY
Our office is situated above our store in the heart of Brighton’s South Lanes. Now that we have a store, we are excited to use our space to collaborate and host events.
We are lucky to be located by the sea so we feel it’s important to look after our environment by supporting Surfer’s Against Sewage with local beach cleans.
TARGETS FOR 2026 – here we have our goals we are working on in 2025 which we will review at the beginning of 2026.
Eliminate and reduce single use plastic – introduce LDPE which is a recyclable alternative.
Transport – reduce shipments from makers to Orelia Distribution Centre to 2 per month.
Increase Recycled material content across collections – from 47% to 60%.
