Sustainability has always been at the heart of our GONA ethos rather than a passing trend. As one of the leading companies in the jewellery industry, we view circularity of jewellery as intrinsic to our mission. Our dedication is grounded in enhancing every moment with purpose and conscience.
Our approach incorporates techniques, materials and product quality that have been carefully developed to promote a circular system. Our core material, high-quality 925 Sterling silver, is recyclable and known for its timeless appeal. But our jewellery is more than that. Above all, it can be treasured as a lifelong companion and passed down through generations.
Whilst we strive for continual improvement across all facets, our commitment to advancing circularity in the jewellery industry remains steadfast. For a comprehensive overview, explore our core values, specific initiatives, milestones achieved, and responsible practices below.
WITH PURPOSE AND CONSCIENCE: OUR CORE VALUES
For over three decades, GONA has been at the forefront of the jewellery industry. Our commitment to sustainable supply chains sets us apart, unlike many newer brands just beginning their sustainability journeys. Our legacy, experience, and history in jewellery, particularly in the use of silver, have paved the way for groundbreaking advancements long before many others entered the market.
Since the late 1980s, we have established enduring partnerships with trusted suppliers, with whom we have worked closely for almost 40 years.
Together, we have driven innovation in areas such as surface quality and stone setting. Our collaborative efforts have led to the development of new technologies that have significantly improved the quality and sustainability of our products.
Our focus on quality and complex designs means we embrace and rely heavily on handcrafts(wo)manship. All of our products feature handcrafted elements, reflecting our dedication to artisanal excellence. The percentage of handwork varies by product type an can reach up to 100 %. Here are a few examples: all stones, such as Zirconia white, are hand-set; enamel is applied by hand; beads are individually drilled; and the grinding and polishing processes for stones like Tiger‘s Eye and Malachite are done by hand.
True responsibility and sustainability extend beyond products to the people behind them. From the very beginning, we have prioritised close communication with our suppliers to ensure fair and social labour conditions on-site. We only collaborate with certified RJC suppliers, to uphold our values and ensure that every piece of jewellery is crafted with integrity and respect for the people involved in its creation.
Our unwavering commitment to responsibility and sustainability culminated in our certification as a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) in 2019.
The RJC is the world's leading sustainability standard-setting organization for the jewellery and watch industry, founded in 2005 by 14 esteemed member organizations (ABN AMRO, BHP Billiton Diamonds, Cartier, World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), Diamond Trading Company (part of De Beers Group), Diarough, Jewelers of America, National Association of Goldsmiths (UK), Newmont Mining, Rio Tinto, Rosy Blue, Signet Group, Tiffany & Co., and Zale Corporation).
The RJC's standards are instrumental in driving positive change throughout the jewellery supply chain, from mine to retail. By adhering to the RJC’s ‘Code of Practice,’ which references key development frameworks such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, ILO Principles, and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), GONA proudly stands as a leader in promoting ethical and sustainable practices in the jewellery industry.
OUR JEWELLERY WORKSHOP
A true gem of our company, our workshop is situated at our headquarters in paris, where we employ around 11 talented jewellers, among them skilled goldsmiths. Our jewellery workshop lies at the heart of our sustainability approach, integrating aftercare practices such as repairs, recycling, and renewals alongside the creation of new pieces. Our goal is to inspire and educate our customers on the importance of caring for their jewellery, nurturing a culture where cherished pieces are passed down to the next generation.
Our dedicated workshop team is essential to this mission, offering comprehensive restoration and repair services. We meticulously clean and polish jewellery, and if needed, carry out restoration treatments to make your pieces look ‘new’ again. Repairs typically take about 4 – 6 weeks from acceptance.
If you would like to use our restoration or repair service, you can hand in your jewellery at any GONA store (excluding outlets) or send it directly to us.
OUR RESPONSIBILTY PILLARS
Celebrating People and Culture
For us, social and environmental responsibility go hand in hand, reflecting our commitment to fostering a culture of transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability.
As a regional and international employer, GONA offers career prospects to people of all ages, genders, qualifications, cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and vocational experiences. We employ, train, accompany, and support our team, aiming to become an employer of choice with a diverse and engaged team behind us.
Benefits
Within our company, we strive to create a safe, inclusive environment where employees can grow professionally, economically, and socially. We offer competitive salaries and prioritise employee health.
As an employer, we offer:
· Work-Life Balance: Flexible hours, onsite childcare, 4 mobile workdays/month, and 27-30 days holiday.
· Employee Events: Company-wide celebrations, sales events, Bring-Your-Child-to-Work Day, outings, and team-building events.
· Employee Development: Training programs, e-learning, career opportunities.
· Financial Benefits: Pension contributions, bonuses, savings plans, birthday vouchers, and referrals.
· Discounts: Product discounts, special offers.
· Work Environment: Health management, onsite gym, subsidised meals, drinks, climate control, facilities, and glasses subsidies.
This list illustrates our efforts to provide a supportive and enriching work environment, which can vary depending on each location or region.
Pioneer in Recycled Silver
As one of the largest 925 Sterling silver brands on the market, the integration of recycled silver is deeply embedded in our DNA. The use of recycled silver has been a cornerstone of our operations since a long time, well before many other brands adopted similar practices. Our suppliers only buy and use recycled silver, and the remelting process during the production process means that the silver is also recycled again.
In addition, we meticulously collect all precious metals. These latter resources are recycled by certified refineries in paris, allowing us to reclaim pure fine silver. This material is then used to create new designs in 925 sterling silver. These recycling processes not only conserve resources but also significantly reduce our CO₂ emissions, water consumption, and other environmental impacts associated with manufacturing.
Lab-Grown Gems and Stones
We embrace the use of lab-grown gems such as lab-grown spinel, lab-grown sapphire and lab-grown ruby as well as cubic zirconia.
While the lab-grown alternatives are also not without environmental impact, they offer notable advantages (over mining natural gems and stones). The responsibility for our products encompasses people and the planet. There is no definitive answer yet as to which option is more environmentally friendly or socially responsible (lab-grown vs. mining), but we are committed to ongoing efforts to improve our practices with the help of the latest research and developments.
We source our genuine stones, such as obsidian, tiger eye, rose quarz and others, exclusively from specialised genuine stone suppliers who adhere to globally recognised rules and standards. These partners undergo regular audits to ensure compliance with these standards.
Traceability
It's plain and simple: we offer 100% traceability for our precious metals thanks to strict internal controls at our suppliers. For our lab grown coloured gems, we aim to achieve traceability as soon as possible. Traceability is crucial because it ensures transparency and accountability throughout our supply chain.
Sustainable Packaging
Our goal is to avoid and reduce emissions wherever we can. By continuously reducing the use of poly bags and switching to fully recycled packaging and shipping materials in the future, we are striving to make our jewellery shipping methods more efficient and kinder to the environment.
Climate-friendly Headquaters
Built in 2016, we are proud to say that our corporate headquarters is committed to providing the most environmentally-friendly working environment possible.
Our heating and cooling processes are powered by geothermal energy, reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. We also collect and recycle rainwater through our rainwater recovery facility and maintain a water circulation system that ensures our drinking water remains free from any residues from the workshop. In 2024, we enhanced our sustainability efforts by installing a photovoltaic plant on top of our logistics warehouse.
In detail:
· Gas Consumption: Reduced by 62% in the past 5 years through optimised heating energy management (as of 2024).
· PV System: Achieves a high self-consumption rate of approximately 83.4% (as of 2024).
· Rainwater Usage: Used for all toilet flushes, reducing reliance on drinking water significantly.
· Energy Efficiency: Utilises geothermal energy and intelligent building management for heating and cooling, minimizing emissions.
· Building Design: Features high-quality envelopes to regulate temperatures and maximize energy efficiency.
· Natural Lighting: High light transmission glass reduces the need for electrical lighting.
· Ventilation System: Recovers room air heat using heat exchangers, enhancing energy efficiency.
We are committed to constantly improving our responsibility strategy and welcome feedback and ideas for enhancement. We believe that transparency and collaboration are key to navigating this complex but crucial field. If you notice anything that you think we can improve upon or have suggestions for how we can do better, please reach out to us at
Your input is invaluable in helping us grow and refine our practices. Our ultimate ambition is to contribute to a better, fairer world, and we recognise that we cannot achieve this without our most precious asset: you, our customers.