8 Ethical Jewelry Brands for Last-Minute Mother’s Day Gifts

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, but there’s still time to find a gift that’s both beautiful and meaningful.

Gifting jewelry is perfect for Mother’s Day—it’s a beautiful and intimate gift that carries meaning and symbolizes love. Every time she wears the piece, she’ll think of you. It’s a way of saying thank you for everything she’s given, with something she can hold onto forever.

I’ve rounded up 8 ethical and independent jewelry brands who are creating timeless, delicate designs, and linked a few of my favorite finds from each one.

This guide includes pieces from different price ranges—keep in mind, if you have siblings, a piece of jewelry could be a perfect group gift! Whether you’re shopping for your mom, mother-in-law, or someone who’s like a mom to you, I hope this selection sparks inspiration and maybe even introduces you to a brand or two you haven’t discovered yet.

01 — Aurate (based in NYC)

Founded by two college friends over brunch in 2015, Aurate is a fine jewelry brand based in NYC that blends modern design with ethical craftsmanship. Their pieces are made from recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds and they constantly improve their designs with feedback from their community.

I have my eyes on their Duo Necklace (which reminds me of a mother and her child) and their Sapphire Tennis Bracelet which could be a nice everyday piece.

02 — Catbird (based in NYC)

Catbird’s story started in 2004 as a tiny concept store in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Today, they are a popular fine jewelry brand creating what they call future heirlooms, pieces meant to be worn daily and loved forever. Every piece is crafted in their Brooklyn studio using over 95% recycled 14k gold as well as recycled diamonds.

They have these Tiniest Alphabet Charms that could portray the initials of you and your siblings. I also find the delicate Dewdrop Ring a very sweet gift.

03 — Kimai (based in London)

Jessica Warch and Sidney Neuhaus are childhood friends from Antwerp, both raised in families rooted in the jewelry world. They were frustrated with the lack of transparency they witnessed—sometimes a diamond changes hands 20 times—and decided in 2018 to start a brand around something new: lab-grown diamonds. Kimai has their headquarter in London but their designs are crafted in their hometown Antwerp, using recycled 18k gold and lab-grown diamonds.

Their wavy Tori Ring and long Cleo Earrings stood out to me on their website.

04 — Futura (based in NYC)

Futura is a brand close to my heart. Founder Bob Donofrio spent over 3 decades in the luxury jewelry world before launching Futura in 2017, driven by a mission to create gold jewelry made from 18k Fairmined Ecological gold—sourced without the use of mercury, a toxic chemical often employed by small-scale miners to extract gold. Futura's designs are clean, sculptural, and often inspired by art.

Some of my favorite pieces are the Mare Twisted Stacking Ring (I love all their stacking rings actually) and the Heron of Hope Necklace. The heron is the brand’s symbol and represents positivity, hope and elegance.

05 — Matilde (based in London)

I was introduced to Matilde Jewellery by a friend who shares my passion for discovering chic, sustainable brands. Founded in 2020 by Matilde Mourinho, the London-based label crafts fine jewelry using 100% recycled 14k gold and lab-grown diamonds and somehow manages to be timeless and modern at once. An eponymous brand—Matilde shares her name with both her mother and grandmother—is a tribute to legacy, timelessness and future heirloom pieces.

How sweet are their little Cluster Earrings? And I also have my eyes on their iconic Astra Beaded Necklace made from recycled white gold.

06 — Brilliant Earth (based in San Francisco)

Brilliant Earth pairs beautiful designs with some of the most impressive sustainability efforts I’ve seen. The brand was founded by Beth Gerstein after she and her husband struggled to find an ethically sourced engagement ring. She teamed up with her Stanford classmate, Eric Grossberg, to launch the company in 2005. Based in San Francisco, Brilliant Earth uses recycled metals as well as traceable natural and lab-grown diamonds.

Their Tennis Bracelet or their Marseille Diamond Hoop Earrings would be timeless gifts your mom could wear for years to come.

07 — Noémie (based in NYC)

Founded by Yuvi Alpert in 2016, Noémie was born out of a desire to connect directly with customers, following his first brand, Ruby Kobo, which was stocked by luxury retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, Colette (RIP), and Liberty. Based in New York City, Noémie blends ethereal design with ethical production practices, using 18k recycled gold or platinum and a mix of natural and lab-grown diamonds.

I personally love the Chevron Diamond Ring so much, I had to include it. Another favorite is the 5 Diamond Necklace, if you’re from a family of 5, each diamond could represent a family member.

08 — Athari (based in London)

Athari was founded by my friend Victoria Böninger, a fellow German and expat in London, who’s deeply passionate about gemstones. She visits each mine in person to ensure ethical sourcing and transparency. Each collection is centered around a specific stone—her debut in 2023 featured aquamarine, and the current one explores the beauty of green and pink tourmalines.

Every piece is one of a kind and they sell out fast. Two designs that are beautiful and available (as of now) are the pink Rubellite Paperclip Bracelet and the green Tourmaline Drop Necklace.

If you’re feeling inspired, I’ve curated some more pieces on my ShopMy page to browse through. I’m wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful Mother’s Day! Don’t forget that in the end, the most precious gift is enjoying time together.

x Sarah