Suzanne Vetillart, CEO of Boma Jewelry, went LIVE on Instagram with Marie Claire Accessories Director Julia Gall over the weekend to talk in-depth about sustainability in the jewelry industry and explore the future of ethical production. The conversation was part of the Sustainable Fashion Forum’s latest series, “Fashion Horror Stories” which looks at the dark side of the fashion industry and examines the impact on both people and the planet. In case you missed it, here are 5 takeaways from the IG LIVE conversation:

#1 - The pandemic has given Boma Jewelry an unexpected opportunity to reflect

The pandemic has forced many brands to press pause and think critically about how they are conducting business and question whether or not it aligns with their core values. For Boma, the pandemic has offered a chance to step away from the usual pace of business and be more intentional about strategic planning for the future. It has also given Boma a chance to streamline internal processes to ensure a higher level of operational efficiency. “At the end of the day, our goal is to bring joy to customers. We feel confident that we can achieve that by having a strong mission and doing business in a way that leaves the world a better place for generations to come,” says Suzanne.

#2 - Sustainability is the value system for why Boma exists

While there are many definitions of sustainability, at its very core, sustainability is the value system for why Boma exists. “My job as a leader is to think about what Boma is going to look like in 20-30 years from now,” says Suzanne. Sustainability should be part of a long-term vision for your brand and be done so in a way that consumers can connect with. “We realized that although we’ve done many things over the years in an effort to have a positive impact on the planet, we weren’t necessarily bringing our customers into the conversation,” says Suzanne. Communication about sustainability should be accessible and what brands are doing to address sustainability in their business should be transparent. "At the end of the day, I want to be able to tell my kids that I did everything I could. We stepped up and wanted to go even further,” she adds.

#3 -Boma Jewelry continues to build on value and expand as a company

Boma Jewelry is turning 40 years old next year and current CEO Suzanne Vetillart is a second-generation owner. Her parents founded the company in 1981 and grew the business year over year in a way that was thoughtful, sustainable, and built to last. In 1986, the company opened its own factory in Bangkok, Thailand to streamline production and ensure transparency within the supply chain. As a family, they have always been invested in taking care of their employees by offering living wages, long-term employment opportunities, and community support. In 2016, Suzanne officially launched the Boma Girl Fund, which sets funds aside for things like education scholarships, book drives, and community programming. “There are people behind everything you consume,” says Suzanne, “We want to ensure they are happy and have recognition for their hard work.”

Fact: Every piece of Boma Jewelry touches the hands of 21 skilled workers, artisans, and silversmiths from start to finish. Learn more about Boma’s factory here.

#4 - The demand for silver, gold, and precious metals outpaces our ability to sustainability recycle them

Part of the reason there’s a lack of truly sustainable jewelry brands is because the recycling process is inefficient and expensive. The system is fragmented which means it’s harder to find recycling solutions that can be properly maintained. Boma Jewelry has worked to recycle its precious metals back into the supply chain for decades and has made it a priority to reduce its environmental impact whenever possible. For this season, they use recycled silver instead of mined silver in their jewelry pieces.

In addition, Boma works with recycling centers that have environmental controls to manage their precious metal recycling process. This involves a controlled facility that monitors air-pollution control and air-handling systems to effectively manage emissions. Last but not least, Boma has developed a recycled stone process that reuses the leftover pieces of genuine stones to be reset and used in new pieces of jewelry.

#5 - Greenwashing is alive and well in the fashion industry.

“There’s a big difference between brands that are inspired by sustainability and brands that are actually doing something about it,” says Marie Claire Accessories Director Julia Gall. If brands are vague about what they are doing when it comes to sustainability, that’s usually a big red flag. Transparency is important to consumers and companies should be able to showcase the work they’ve done to move toward their sustainability goals. Boma Jewelry publishes its Environmental Management System which provides consumers with data on how Boma is managing its operational environmental impact. In the future, consumers will demand this type of information to be readily available. Brands that are moving in the direction of staying accountable to their sustainability goals will be in a better position to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

The Final Word

Watch the full conversation on the Sustainable Fashion Forum’s Youtube Channel below.