A quick search through Etsy will show you that delicate, gold jewelry isn’t hard to find.
But I’ll tell you what is hard to find: a jewelry maker who dreams up modern, refined pieces AND remains committed to responsible and sustainable production from beginning to end. Favor Jewelry caught my eye because of the beautiful and minimal designs – and the opals! Oh the opals. But it was the ethics that sealed the deal for me.
I had the opportunity to meet owner/designer Monika Reed and peek inside her Southeast Portland studio, where each of her pieces is handmade. There, I was thrilled to see how committed she is to ethics and sustainability in every step of Favor’s process. She showed me the responsibly-sourced gemstones she uses, and shared with me how she’s eradicated her studio of nearly all toxic chemicals. Traditional jewelry making methods, especially soldering, use a lot of toxic chemicals and Monika has found work-arounds in nearly all of her steps. For example, when tumbling (polishing) Favor’s finished pieces they now use a biodegradable castile soap instead of the heavy duty cleanser that’s normally used.
Monika’s commitment to ethics is also evident in her metalsmithing practices. All of the gold jewelry Favor produces is 14K goldfill, which means their jewelry can be safely bonded without chemicals (they use heat), it lasts longer because it has a brass core, and it never peels or flakes. The brass core has an added bonus of reducing the need to mine for new gold. Monika says they even recycle all of their own scrap metal, which is melted down into new product through a metals reclaimer. And my favorite part: They source all of the metal from refiners in the USA.
“Favor is made to be worn and loved.”
Top: Opal Saturn Ring, Slim Stacking Rings, Drip Bangle; Bottom: Opal Saturn Posts
5 Fun Facts About Favor:
1 / Their studio features a disco ball.
2 / What started out as a project during Monika’s college years turned into a full time business.
3 / Monika set out to study cultural anthropology in pursuit of a career that helps others. Today, that same mindset shapes how she runs her business. Favor gives back 5% of online sales to support Women for Women International, a charity focused on training women in countries with a recent history of violence to be economically self-sufficient.
4 / Favor uses biodegradable plastic baggies when shipping necklaces.
5 / Monika’s favorite stone: “Emerald, and I have tried for years to come up with a sustainable source, which I have finally found! Stay tuned for September when we will finally have emeralds!”
Monika Reed, in her light-filled Southeast Portland studio.
Giveaway Time! (Contest Closed)
**UPDATE!! The Winner of the Favor Jewelry Giveaway is Michelle, commenter #39! Contact me to claim your prize! :)**
Favor is generously giving away one, $100 shop credit to one lucky Seasons + Salt reader!
TO ENTER:
1. Head over to Favor Jewelry and sign up for their newsletter (scroll down). We promise it’s a spam-free zone!
2. Browse through their collection of necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings and pick your favorite item.
3. Comment back here letting us know you’ve done #1, and share #2 with us.
The contest closes Monday, August 15th at midnight, and the winner will be announced here the following day.
Don’t forget to follow them on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with their latest designs as well as specials and discounts!
GOOD LUCK!
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This post is in partnership with Favor Jewelry. I’m always thrilled to share my latest finds with you guys and Favor Jewelry is no exception. I hope you love them as much as I do. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Seasons + Salt possible!
The Crescent necklace is calling my name! Beautiful jewelry, thanks for sharing about this company.
Love the turquise circa ring! so beautiful.
I’ve visited the website and signed up for the mailing list. As for a favorite – that’s a hard choice. I love the simplicity of all the pieces. The Shard Necklace seems to be calling out to me the most, though. Beautiful!
Newsletter sign up complete!
I am loving the Artifact and Thunderbird necklaces.
The Opal Saturn and Scribble posts are also beautiful.
Done. I’m a huge Favor fan! I already own the clear spike and globe earrings, and have my eye on Sputnik next.
I have recently embarked on a journey to build a capsule wardrobe made of ethically and responsibly made clothing and jewelry (your blog has been a great help–thank you!). In the midst of doing so, I have also been on the hunt for an opal piece of jewelry as it is my daughter’s birthstone. The opal saturn ring is beautiful and not something I would purchase for myself– it would be more of a “want” and not a “need,” but a beautiful way to think of my daughter every day that I wear it! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Signed up! I love the turquoise Gumdrop ring and the Sputnik earrings. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Signed up! Love the slim stacking rings. So gorgeous.
Subscription confirmed! I love the stacking rings AND they come in half sizes! My favorites are the knot, droplet, & confetti.
All signed up! I love their artifact necklace and opal saturn earrings. Fingers crossed! :)
Signed up and I love the boulder necklace and the opal saturn posts! xoxo
I signed up, thanks for introducing me to this awesome company! I love the opal pieces but I am dying for that Orbit hair pin, so cool.
The boulder necklace really caught my eye! I love opals, too!
Signed up and absolutely adore the Verge necklace! I have a small silver necklace that I love for everyday wear and style but haven’t quite found one in gold yet. This is such a perfect piece and as always – I love to hear about a new company that is committed to ethical practices. Thanks for sharing!
Did it! Love the wing necklace.
Oh goodness, the designs are incredible! I love the scribble necklace and the outie post earrings. I’m excited to see the emeralds later this year too!
Andrea, thanks for introducing me to this line! I’m such a fan of delicate gold jewelry that’s easy to wear everyday, but adds a little bit of understated elegance. I’m pretty smitten with the Scribble and Pebble necklaces, plus the Verge necklace that you’re wearing is so lovely. xo
It’s official! I’m on the list! Yay!!! My favourite Is the crescent moon necklace and the hairpins are lovely too.
I LOVE the wing necklace! And this whole company! Thanks for the introduction to it Andrea!
Signed up – thank you so much for featuring such an amazing brand. I already know I’m getting that Opal ring for my sister’s 21st birthday in October (it’s her birthstone). The Shard and Artifact necklaces are my favorite.
I visited Favor’s website and I’m signed up for the news letter. It was really hard to choose one favorite but I’m going with the wing necklace. The jewelry is all very lovely.
Yay for beautiful, sustainable jewelry and giveaways! I love all of it (delicate jewelry FTW), but I think the Opal Saturn and Glyph rings are my utmost favorites.
Just signed up. Beautiful jewelry! I love everything, but I might pick the artifact necklace.
Just signed up for the newsletter! The hammock and stitches necklaces in silver are my favorites, but I also love the artifact necklace in silver. Such beautiful work!
I signed up for the newsletter. There are so many beautiful things but I think I’d have to get the Lasso posts and probably some stacking rings too!!
Sign up done….now the tough part, picking only one favorite!? I cant! So many beauties. So here in no particular order are my favs….round fragment ring, opal Saturn posts, artifact necklace, bar bracelet. So many lovely choices! I will be shopping here whether I win or not. Thanks for introducing us to such a great company :)
Signed up for the newsletter! Love it all, sobeautifil but the rose quartz gumdrop ring caught my eye.
Signed up for the newsletter! I absolutely love the sputnik post earrings–they’re beautiful.
I signed up for the newsletter, and I love so many of the pieces! If I have to pick just one, I will pick the Stitches necklace. So elegant!
I signed up for the newsletter! I love so much of their jewelry. :) I really liked the Petal Hoops. So beautiful! Thanks for the intro!
Love the slim stackable rings. I’d get them in every color!
Signed up for the newsletter! And I Love the verge necklace and the hammock. so beautiful!
Signed up for their email. I love the Shard Necklace! I also love hearing about ethical jewelry companies – thanks for sharing!
Visited and signed up. Pretty much in love with the Verge necklace and Boulder earrings. Beautiful jewelry from a great company. Thanks for sharing them with us!
I’m so glad I found your site last week, while searching for Everlane reviews! I love simple, gold jewelry, and if I had to choose just one thing from Favor’s site, it’d be the opal Saturn ring.
Done. It’s hard to pick a favorite but the Drop Shadow Earrings are so beautiful!
Love the slim bangle and the bar bracelets!!
Signed up! Can’t decide between the shaped oval ring and the Nebula Bangle, but they are beautiful. Will definitely be returning to this site when looking for jewelry and gifts.
I signed up for the newsletter. I love both the Hammock and the Scale necklaces. I have been looking for a simple gold necklace for a while now, and have to thank you for introducing this brand. Not only do I love the pieces and they really fit my style, I’m also a cultural anthropologist and think it is admirable how Monika uses that mindset in her store. Although I plan on continuing in the field of anthropology (to help others just like Monika), I always enjoy hearing people using their background in this field to follow their passion.
I will definitely check out some stores in my area where they sell this brand.
Nice feature on a great company! I like the Scale ring and I signed up for the newsletter!
Ooh, such a unique company with great pieces! Adding this to my bookmarks folder :) I’m loving all the rings, especially the turquoise or rose quartz gumdrop ring. Thanks for sharing with us!
I signed up for the newsletter! I loveeeee delicate gold jewelry :) My favorite item is the opal saturn ring!
One = done! These pieces look so versatile + simple. My favorite is the Artifact necklace. Thanks for sharing Favor!
I am signed up!
As for my favorites, I adore the Verge necklace and Confetti posts! Absolutely perfect pieces.
Thank you for the opportunity!
all signed up! the glyph ring is my favorite :) thanks for introducing me to a great company – they stock a store local to me, too! i’m excited to check it out in person.
The Opal Saturn ring looks beautiful! I have the Black Circa ring and just love it. It is beautiful and has held up to lots of hand washing and rough play with my little ones. Love Favor Jewelry!
I follow both of you on Instagram and signed up with Favor. I love the “Drip bracelet” and the “Mini Slup Earrings”!
I signed up yesterday (actually had found them through Instagram). Favorite item is the opal Saturn ring in gold fill. I also love the turquoise Saturn ring in sterling silver and would stack them both on my middle finger like on the model. So pretty and minimal.
I just signed up! I love the minimal style. These mini stitch post earing studs are gorgeous! http://favorjewelry.com/shop/mini-stitch-posts
All signed up! I’m in love with the opal Saturn ring. It is so simple and beautiful!
I love the opal earrings and ring AND the orbit hair pin. I like this partnership! :)
Opal Saturn earrings and ring!
Great find! I love the Pebble necklace. So versatile and interesting! Also signed up for the newsletter
love the verge necklace!!
I love the Rose Quartz Gumdrop Ring, so beautiful! Signed up for their newsletter also!!
I signed up for the newsletter. My favorite piece is the Opal Saturn Ring. Thank you for offering the giveaway!
I’m signed up for the Favor newsletter. I love so many of their pieces, but if I had to pick just one I think it would be the shard necklace. Thanks!
Signed up! Their pieces are beautiful but their mosaic earrings are absolutely stunning! Would love to get my hands on those! Thanks for sharing this awesome brand! :)
The drop shadow earrings are my pick. This style is something I have been looking for! Thank you for the giveaway.
signed up! i am loving the tuck hair pin. so delicate, but such a better option for keeping my hair out of my face than a ratty hair tie!
I’m all signed up. I would pick either the artifact necklace or the globe necklace. :)
Signed up! I saw this company on your instagram earlier and immediately started browsing. I would love to wear the Turquoise Saturn Post earrings but I would wear the Artifact or Shard necklaces all the time!
Signed up for the newsletter!! So much pretty stuff! I really like the rose quartz gumdrop ring and the knot ring. Plus I think they would look pretty in a stack :)
I Lah-uve their Artifact Necklace <3
I did both entry guidelines :)
Wow love so many of their items. Fav would have to be the classic hoops in 14k gold fill. Lovely!
Signed up! I love the Thunderbird necklace ^_^
Just saw that my wife had been looking at this website and would love to get her the Verge necklace for her birthday!
Oh, and I signed up for the newsletter!