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What does it mean to be an ethical jewlery brand? Is it about a brand giving back? Ethcially sourcing materials? For jewelry designer Satya Scainetti, it’s all of the above, but most importantly it’s about designing with intention. From how materials are chosen to deciding that proceeds will benefit those in need, Satya is a wellness jewelry brand bent on intention. Each celestrial nod or sacred symbol is carefully choosen to bring good to the wearer and crafted by a team of artisans in Thailand, India and the U.S in factories that are members of the Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC). Each medallion, tailsman, ring or gemstone bracelet is carefully designed with the intention of causing the least harm to the environment, provide economic security for artisans and to become an heirloom that gives back to the next generation.
Intention is direly needed in the jewelry industry. For the millions of gold necklaces and rings sold, millions of people endure brutal conditions to mine the gold for wages that are often considered poverty wages. That means that wages are so low that workers are still left in poverty and unable to afford basic necessities like food or shelter. Worse still, these workers can often be children who are killed or injured during the mining of gold or diamonds in an effort to provide for their families. Other human rights violations include the lands taken over by mines that displace indigenous and local peoples. But, by the time the shiny finished product reaches stores, its origin is often unknown.
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Twenty years ago, Satya began her namesake brand with factories certified for their intention to work towards being responsible to their workers and the environment. “Not many factories can pass this but should because it is important to maintain these standards of sustainable and ethical manufacturing,” Satya shares. Her other intentional project is the Satya Foundation which is on a mission to “touch the lives of children in need.” For every piece of jewelry sold, $1 is donated to the foundation.
This September, Sataya Jewelry celebrated its 20th anniversary and success at raising more than $1 million to benefit children around the world with the debut of One Truth, a stunning emerald neckalce in 18K gold plated brass. The elebrate medallion gleams with the engraving of 5 sacred symbols: lotus, tree of life, Ganesha, hamsa and Om. Said to bring peace to the wearer, 100% of proceeds from each necklace will benefit the Sataya Foundation. With a focus on children, the foundation also benefits other organizations like a orphanages, schools and food banks for children in need.
To learn more about the emerald necklace in gold, the Satya Foundation and the intention behind the other pieces in the One Truth collection, Satya herself shared her story and the ways in which she stays to her mission.
What is the mission behind Satya Jewelry?
Satya’s Mission is to design beautiful jewelry of all truths (Satya) and donates money to the Satya Foundation, a 501c that supports and educates children around the world
How do you sustainably source your metals?
The metals we use on all our pieces are recycled. Our factories use only the finest quality of all materials.
What challenges do you face when practicing sustainable sourcing?
I think the word sustainability is used too freely and we need to constantly work with our suppliers and make sure they are using the correct materials.
Why do you choose to work with artisans and source gems from Thailand and India?
I love working in Thailand and India as the artisans are beyond talented and the stones are the finest. I have been working with the same factories and visit each year to see the workers and watch them create the jewelry.
What challenges do you face with ensuring living wages are met?
All our factories are the highest of quality and the workers all make living wages and more. They are all socially compliant certified.
What challenges as a whole does the jewelry industry face when it comes to sustainable and ethical manufacturing?
It is a very challenging industry to work sustainably and ethically because we are using materials from the earth. I feel confident that the factories and the vendors we work with do their best to follow the highest standards required to protect the environment. We face many challenges as the industry grows.
The availability of stones and the prices continue to increase the cost to take the extra steps to make sure the factories are following all the rules. Both of our factories have socially compliant certifications which is an audit that runs through each department from design mold-making to casting, plating and polishing. Not many factories can pass this but should because it is important to maintain these standards of sustainable and ethical manufacturing.
What’s the best way to care for Satya heirloom pieces?
We always suggest not to spray perfumes or lotions on the jewelry and not to swim in the ocean with our jewelry on. We also suggest keeping it in a jewelry pouch when not wearing it. We have customers who have been wearing the same Satya Jewelry pieces for 10 years or longer. We also have care instructions that come with each piece.
How did the nonprofit come about?
The nonprofit is really the DNA of the brand. It was inspired by my background in social work and the ideas from the beginning was to design jewelry of all Truths (Satya) and donate money to children around the world.
How many nonprofits has Satya benefited?
Wow this is a big one. We just worked on a timeline of this and it was so fun to look back at all we have done. It must be over 40 nonprofits and that does not include all the NYC schools we have supported with their yearly fundraisers. I started this at such an exciting time, and we were the original spiritual jewelry brand with a nonprofit attached to it.
Why is there a particular focus on children?
I have always believed that children can change the world for the better with the support they need to find their greatness. Now more than ever, we need the younger generations to come to clean things up all over the world.
Can you share any personal success stories about the children that Satya has been able to help?
I just had one of the boys from India, now 24, come to the United States on scholarship to BU after graduating with a law degree in India. He is going back tomorrow to help build more schools like the one he was so fortunate to grow up in. We have supported Ramana’s Garden for over 15 years and have watched many of the children grow up to do great things and give back. The first girl from there is now a doctor serving children in need. There are endless stories, and we need to create more of them. I feel blessed to be a part of it.
