CLEAR-CUT TRANSPARENCY

JULIE SANDLAU, JEWELRY ON THE FUTURE

Photography by Lizette Mikkelsen

One of the most difficult journeys towards a more sustainable future can be transparency. Having visibility across the supply chain can be a challenge, but fortunately, this is something Julie Sandlau has full traceability on. Since 2017, the Danish brand’s factory in Vietnam has been a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), ensuring the highest industry standard in sustainable production and procurement.

“In addition to joining a code of practices such as the United Nations Global Compact (since 2012), RJC specifically focuses on a positive supply chain designed for the jewellery industry. By trading with other RJC members, we ensure the highest industry standard.”

Founded in 2005 as a Danida Project, Julie Sandlau’s factory in Hanoi employs hundreds of local craftspeople, educating them in Danish traditional goldsmith traditions. Each step takes place at the factory, while the management team have developed several initiatives to offer education and engage with the local community. All precious metals are recycled and ethically sourced.

Diamonds are certified with “The Kimberley Certificate of Origin" guaranteeing they are not mined from conflict zones. To ensure no material is wasted, Julie Sandlau regularly creates exclusive limited collections to ensure less waste and optimal use of resources. The brand also plants a tree – in collaboration with a Danish non-profit organisation – for every item sold from the Tree of Life collection.

All trees are planted in the Ha Tinh province close to the factory in North Vietnam.

Looking to the future, Julie Sandlau aims to replace traditional production materials with more sustainable options, while decreasing waste and increasing the use of recycled materials.