At Ottoman Hands, we create timeless, sustainable jewellery that doesn’t cost the earth. Adopting sustainable practices early on, we have been using recycled metals for our jewellery since the very beginning of our brand, back in 2010.
We are on a continuous journey to sustainability and we are always looking for new ways to reduce our carbon footprint and minimise our environmental impact.
SUSTAINABILITY
Our Collections
We believe in forever jewellery, inspired by historical and vintage designs, which is why we create timeless designs, beyond ephemeral trends, that can be worn year after year.
You may have noticed that some of our pieces are sold out; we always create small batches of jewellery to limit waste and also to make your style truly unique.
If you are after a sold-out design, just make sure to subscribe for a notification as soon as it's back in stock. Your sold-out notifications help us understand demand and produce only as much as needed!
Our Hands
When Deniz started the brand, she found a small independent workshop in Istanbul to make her jewellery. Our name, Ottoman Hands, was inspired by the artisans that create our unique jewellery.
To this day, we are working with the same artisans in the heart of the jewellery quarter of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, to produce our recycled brass jewellery, while our recycled sterling silver collection is also hand crafted by an independent supplier in India.
We will only ever work with manufacturers who share our values and treat their workers fairly. We have a close relationship with our suppliers, we've helped each other grow and we visit regularly to check on working standards, source gemstones and create our new collections together.
Our Materials
We have been using exclusively recycled metals since the very beginning of our brand, back in 2010. We use either 21ct gold-plated recycled brass or 18ct gold-plated recycled sterling silver, without compromising on the purity and quality of our pieces. Our jewellery is recycled (unless otherwise specified) with the exception of a few necklace chains and smaller components.
Brass is highly sustainable and can be recycled many times over, without diminishing its quality. Our recycled brass is mostly sourced from electrical waste (such as cables and electronics that would otherwise end up in landfill), then melted and re-cast into beautiful jewellery.
Our recycled sterling silver is sourced straight from the silversmith's bench. The grinding and filing required to create jewels by hand sends clouds of precious dust into the air, which is then melted to create shiny sterling silver once again.
We support circular economy and we are against mining metals due to its environmental and social impact. Recycling turns waste into precious jewellery, like modern alchemy!
Our Packaging
All of our packaging is made with FSC-certified paper from 70% recycled sources and our pouches are made from 100% cotton.
With no foam or velour inserts, our packaging is not just beautiful to gift and reuse, but also plastic-free, 100% recyclable and biodegradable.
Our Charity Work
We have partnered with Work for Good to support causes we are passionate about. Additionally, we donate any faulty or unwanted stock to the Royal Trinity Hospice, raising over £29K since 2018.
Trillion Trees
Young Women's Trust
Microloan Foundation
Our Footprint
We are carbon neutral for all our online deliveries. We are using Planet to calculate the carbon emissions for each of our shipments.
Unlike other sustainable commerce services, Planet focuses on carbon removal, rather than offsetting carbon with forest protection.
To reduce our Black Friday impact we are planting one mangrove tree for every order placed in either Madagascar, Mozambique, or Kenya via the Eden Reforestation Projects.
Our guarantee
We’re committed to creating pieces that you will treasure for years to come.
So if your gold plating fades or something breaks, every Ottoman Hands piece purchased on our website is covered by an extended 1 year warranty so you can shop with peace of mind.