Sustainable Materials for Jewelry: Scenarios from a Design Perspective

The complex nature of materiality describes the modern era and raises several questions, especially regarding sustainability. With the significant expansion of science and industry, the variety of materials available for designers is unlimited, and they are no longer forced to use materials that are provided directly by nature. Therefore, artificial materials are becoming more popular, offering new possibilities from a creative and innovative perspective. This introduces a new, challenging context for the jewelry design practice that should provide a positive and more sustainable approach. The paper aims to define future scenarios for sustainable materials for jewelry merging science and design. Cutting-edge movements are experimentally operating at the intersections of varied fields, occasionally deviating from conventional methods. Primarily, this article is intended to provide an overview of the current advancements in sustainable materials, emphasizing the strengths and potential benefits they could offer. Then, the paper investigates four scenarios as results of the intersection between science and design, highlighting the impact on the jewelry field. Four scenarios will analyze the materials currently employed in different fields and their possible application in future innovative tracks: designing sensibly; reshaping waste; modeling nature; making in lab. Lastly, this paper shows how crucial it is for designers and companies to take a proactive role and become agents to extend access to sustainable solutions.