Designer Anabela Chan merges lab-grown gems and recycled metal to promote sustainability

Renowned British designer Anabela Chan is challenging traditional notions of luxury by opting for lab-grown gems and recycled metal in her award-winning jewellery designs. 

Chan, who clinched the "Game Changer" category at the British Luxury Awards in November, has positioned herself at the intersection of science and art, embracing materials that align with ethical and sustainable practices.

In her central London boutique in Knightsbridge, Chan shared her motivation behind choosing lab-grown diamonds, recycled aluminium from cans, and pearls cultivated using regenerative farming techniques.

Her decision was influenced by witnessing what she described as poor working conditions in diamond mines. Chan expressed her perspective, stating, "These are some of the most precious and valuable commodities in the world that just didn't make any sense to me."

While the company refrained from disclosing specific sales figures, Chan highlighted a surge in demand since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The shift towards sustainability in the jewellery industry is reflected in the annual growth of the lab-grown jewellery market, which has reached 20%, contributing to global profits of $15 billion, according to Edahn Golan Diamond Research & Data.

As more players enter the market, the competitive landscape evolves, prompting brands to seek differentiation, especially through innovative jewellery design. 

At the forefront of this movement is Pandora, a major retailer of lab-grown diamonds. Joshua Braman, head of diamonds at Pandora, emphasised that lab-grown gems offer additional opportunities for creative jewellery design.

Sustainability serves as a key distinguishing factor for Chan's designs. Collaborating with suppliers committed to using technology to capture carbon dioxide emissions—transforming a potential environmental negative into a positive—Chan embeds a sense of responsibility and eco-consciousness into her creations. 

This sustainable approach resonates with a growing segment of consumers who prioritise ethical practices in the products they choose.

Anabela Chan's success not only reflects a shift in consumer preferences towards sustainable and ethically sourced materials but also highlights the transformative power of design when aligned with environmental consciousness. 

In a world where luxury meets responsibility, Chan's creations stand as a testament to the evolving landscape of high-end jewellery.