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You can make a difference
in a really good way
THIS IS THE STORY OF
HOW JEWELRY SAVED ME
Have you ever been breath-taken by a beautiful object or experience, and thought to yourself, "Wow, what did I do to deserve this?"
You have, right?
I've asked myself the above question. Many times. But then, almost immediately, my restless, joykill of a mind will automatically go to: "Wow, what did others have to do so I could deserve this?"
For as long as I can remember, I've always been this way. I just want to make sure the things I enjoy don't unintentionally harm the world or the people who made it. It's exhausting, but looking back, it's been worth it.
HOW THIS ALL STARTED. HINT:
SAVING THE WORLD IS EXHAUSTING...
During my studies in tropical forestry, I spent months at a time living with indigenous Dayak communities in Indonesian Borneo.
I looked at why these beautiful people sold their forests and ancestral lands. What I found out was that they all just wanted to have a mobile phone and wear skinny jeans, send their kids to university and be a part of the world they saw on TV.
Maybe even build a private bathroom with a real toilet. You know, one that flushes.
They didn't want to be left behind. They just wanted to keep up with the Joneses.
Fast forward ten years, two babies, and a bout of depression later, I was crippled by a major burnout that turned out to be my saving grace.
WON'T YOU LOOK AT THAT...
I'VE GONE FULL CIRCLE
I only recently realized this. I thought I'd left international development for jewelry design, but actually, I was still trying to find a solution to the same problem I saw 10 years ago.
After my burnout, I moved to Bali and started creating jewelry from my spare bedroom.
At the heart of it lay a desire to use jewelry for good. A promise was born.
Gardens of the Sun is now a vehicle to help indigenous people feel a part of the global economy. To help them see how they’re a crucial part of it by empowering them with emotional appreciation and better prices for their craft and knowledge.
Since 2018, I’ve been on a mission to personally meet every single person in our supply chain to see how we can make a meaningful difference in their lives.
TAKING THE GUILT OUT OF
JEWELRY SHOPPING
I know you don’t want to fund violent conflict or destroy the environment.
Who does?
Gardens of the Sun is focused on the entire journey of the jewelry. So it can be as ethical, transparent and traceable as possible. It's an ethos that goes beyond skin-deep.
We promise to make your jewelry part of something bigger; to make it positively meaningful for those who wear it and make it.
So I hope that every time you wear Gardens of the Sun, it reminds you of the positive impact your choices have on this world.
xox
Meri
Want to make an impact
with your jewelry?
your values matter
Because what you love shouldn't hurt anyone, right?
You can now make your experience guilt-free.
Going beyond conflict-free, we make it a point to source from locations that aren't involved in child labour, forced labour or modern slavery; war economies, armed conflict and terrorism; and financing criminal networks. We keep it clean.
From our workshops to office headquarters and our suppliers, each step in the supply chain is powered by happy and healthy working conditions. Veggie office lunches and yoga, flexible hours, generous parental leave for both moms and dads - they're the bare minimum.
We use alluvial gold extracted by artisanal female miners. We source from them directly, paying them a premium for their mercury-free practices, half of which goes to a capacity-building fund that each woman has access to.
We plant at least five trees for every purchase. With your support, we've donated $22,009.04 to good causes worldwide. We try our best to give back what we've been generously given, in manifold.
made
with love
responsible
Sourcing
fair
for all
eco gold
that empowers
Giving back,
always
WHY THEY CHOOSE GARDENS OF THE SUN
You guys, this necklace is everything. I’m so in love with it - how delicate it is, the fine craftsmanship is, the colors of the stones. This necklace is special, and it makes me feel that way, too.
Do yourself a favor and pull the trigger on that special piece. If you have an experience at all like mine, you won’t regret it!
Molly
Rated 5/5 stars on Amethyst and Tanzanite Necklace
I ordered this ring as an engagement ring for my partner. She has tiny fingers so it was custom-made for her.
She loved it at first sight and now we are engaged! ❤️
Natalie P.
Rated 5/5 stars on Aquamarine Ring with Hidden Gems
I got as a birthday present for my sister and it is BEYOND beautiful! It has her birthstone in the middle with her children’s birthstones on each side.
The customer service team did an amazing job of keeping me updated on the status of my order and even sent me pictures of the stone placement before setting the stones in case I wanted to request any changes.
Grace K.
Rated 5/5 stars on Custom Triple Birthstone Ring
I ordered the Mountain Diamond Slice ring as a promise ring for my girlfriend. Everything about this product, from the ring materials, and the box materials are ethically sourced. You can tell from the quality this piece oozes.
I am very impressed with this company, and the teary eyed smile on my girlfriends face only solidified my love for this company.
Barrett F.
Rated 5/5 stars on Mountain Diamond Slice Ring
Love what we do?
Let us know!
We love to receive love letters. We love to hear your stories, and what your jewelry means to you. We love to work with storytellers who are interested in sharing our mission.
Just write us! It'd make us so happy.