At Luna Tree, all our jewellery is 100% vegan friendly. From the finished pieces to the tools and polishing compounds used in production in both the UK and Thailand.
Many people assume silver jewellery is automatically vegan unless it includes pearls or leather. But traditional silversmithing often uses materials like beeswax, wool polishing mops and animal-derived compounds.
We’ve chosen vegan alternatives throughout our processes so you can shop with confidence.
Why some silver jewellery isn’t vegan
Most people are really surprised to hear that silver jewellery is traditionally manufactured in such a way that it is not vegan.
The obvious telltale signs are the use of pearls, leather or silk cord incorporated into jewellery. These can be easily avoided as a vegan.
It is the manufacturing processes which are traditionally filled with tools, equipment and consumables derived from animals. This animal exploitation is hidden from the vegan consumer.
So, a piece of jewellery might be vegan and without any obvious animal products, but it could possibly (and most likely) will have been made with animal exploitation.
The only way to be sure your jewellery is vegan is to purchase from a vegan business like us.
Equipment and consumables used in traditional silversmithing
Traditional silversmithing can include animal-derived materials such as:
- Rawhide mallets
- Leather aprons and bench skins
- Beeswax for saw lubrication
- Wool polishing mops
- Polishing compounds containing animal-derived stearic acid
- Cuttlefish bone casting
Vegan alternatives used in silversmithing
At Luna Tree we use vegan alternatives such as:
- Nylon hammers
- Fabric workshop materials
- Vegan soap or plant oils
- Cotton or vegan felt polishing mops
- Water-based polishing compounds
- Non-animal casting methods
Browse all vegan-friendly silver jewellery
Our Vegan Commitment
Luna Tree is a Vegan run business. Our commitment to vegainism encompasses all aspects of the business and is a direct extension of the Luna Tree founders personal belief system. Kindness to all kinds and to do least harm to all living beings.
Our artisan partners in Thailand also share our values.
We work with Karen Hill Tribe silversmiths in Huay Dtom, where craftsmanship and respect for the natural world are deeply rooted in community life.
Their handmade silver techniques align beautifully with our commitment to ethical, vegan-friendly jewellery.
Learn more about our ethical sourcing
In all our years of working with the Karen Hill Tribe silversmiths at Huay Dtom we have never had to question any of the tools or materials being used in their silversmithing and query if they are of animal origin.
Religion and a plant based philosophy
Traditionally Karen life is dictated by the spirits, and they are a highly superstitious people. The Karen believe their ancestors taught them how to live in harmony with their natural surroundings. Working with the natural ecosystem of the forest for all their needs. This has carried forward with the embrace of Buddhism at Huay Dtom. The large Wat Phra Bat Huay Tom is the largest Wat (temple) in the area and is home to footprints of Buddha which bring many people on pilgrimage to the area. Most of the village are practicing Buddhists alongside their more traditional animist rituals.
Following a Buddhist path, Huay Dtom is predominantly a plant based community and follow the philosophy of doing no harm to other living beings. Find out more about this here
Frequently asked questions
Is sterling silver jewellery vegan?
Not always. Silver itself is vegan, but traditional jewellery-making may involve beeswax, wool polishing mops or animal-derived compounds.
Does Luna Tree use animal products?
No. Our jewellery and production methods are 100% vegan friendly.
Is vegan jewellery also ethical?
We focus on both vegan-friendly production and fair trade artisan partnerships.
Do you use eco-friendly packaging?
Yes—our packaging is recyclable and designed with sustainability in mind.
