R&C Gifts Under $300!

With the state of today's economy, it's no wonder people are shopping less than they used to, and those who are prefer to shop for bargains at mega stores like Walmart and Target. At Ruff&Cut and Glittering Conscience, we cater to a particular kind of customers, and offer things that other retailers may not such as custom designs, choose your own diamond, ethically sourced everything, and a charitable purpose, just to name a few. To help you with your holiday shopping even more this season, here are a few selected items under $300 we have available with guaranteed delivery before Christmas if you order by Friday, December 23. You read that right- guaranteed delivery! And with styles like these, how can you go wrong..?

The Erin Bracelet

Simple and chic and guaranteed to please even the pickiest jewelry-lover on your list, the Erin Bracelet from the Endless Color Collection by Jennifer Schelhorn for Ruff&Cut features 5 cushion cut citrines on a recycled sterling silver rollo chain measuring 7.5" around the wrist. It's just enough warmth to add to an otherwise toned-down ensemble.

The Silver Aureole Ring

A recycled sterling silver ring with a single rough diamond...for only $100! That's right, that's no typo. Only. 100. Dollars. Classic and elegant and a hit from the best-selling Aureole Collection, this is a diamond ring that doesn't need a wedding proposal to be the ideal gift to your sweetie- male or female.

The Nugget Earrings

Looking for something simple yet unique in 18k gold that suits your budget? These stud earrings are made to look like raw gold nuggets, hence the name Nugget Earrings. One of R&C's first designs, and still timeless in look, these make the ideal gift for the au naturale person in your life.

The Silver Enduring Skulls Choker with Emeralds

Here's another steal from the Ruff&Cut Skulls Collection. A single sterling silver Enduring Skull with .10 cts of genuine, ethically sourced and cut emeralds for eyes. Spooky and sexy, this is a sweet little stocking stuffer for a man or a woman. Comes with an organic cotton cord in taupe, black, natural, or berry.

The Hammered Silver Medallion

Perhaps the best deal on our site, this pretty pendant from the Hammered Silver Collection
features a sparkling, clear .25 ct half octo diamond in a hammered sterling silver medallion charm on top of a larger hammered medallion, all on an 18" sterling silver chain. For under $300! How would you like to unwrap this Christmas morning?











Yes, we know- you're speechless already, but there's more! Save even more this year with coupon code HOLIDAY20 at check-out on up to 5 items, now through the end of December! You'll receive 20% off and have guaranteed overnight shipping as long as the items are readily available in stock. Each piece comes with a certificate of authenticity siting information on the piece, where materials were sourced, beneficiation amount, and unique item number. And remember: 10% of proceeds go to charities that benefit the people of Sierra Leone, Africa. 

If you're still searching for the perfect gifts, look no further, and if you would rather see these beauties in person, stop by Glittering Conscience in New York City or any J.W. Cooper store for the Skulls Collection. Discount applies in Glittering Conscience as well!

Give the gift that gives back this year, and feel good about purchasing sustainably.

Spotlight on Charities Supporting Sierra Leone

TODAY we'll be having an event at Glittering Conscience celebrating the shop's one year anniversary-- an eco-chic birthday party so to speak... It's been a long year since we first opened the store, and we are so proud of how far it's come. Besides our own luxury jewelry line, GC carries amazing and unique green brands by Nahui Ollin, Platinum Dirt, NaturevsFuture, Montree, Temple de Mexico, Kopali Organics, and many, many more. The store does the best it can to operate under a feasibly sustainable manner, using recycled materials for decor and packaging, environmentally-friendly energy, and displays made out of recycled and sustainable materials such as hemp.

To celebrate, we are having a store-wide sale of 20% off everything through the month of December. Not only that, but 10% of proceeds the store makes today during the main event will go to three outstanding charities that support the people of Sierra Leone, Africa, a small country in West Africa that relies mainly on diamond mining as its most economical asset. The people of Sierra Leone are who originally inspired R&C Founder Wade Watson to start the eco-friendly and charitable jewelry company, and this is just another way to give back to them and create awareness in the lives of the more fortunate.

The Taia Peace Foundation is an organization created by actor Jeffrey Wright that aims to, "assist rural communities in overcoming the so-called “resource curse", and make sure the stream of income created by those resources goes back to the Sierra Leoneans who deserve it. The NGO's ultimate goal is to spread this mission across the continent, and "to remove the economic barriers that limit their capacity to build a lasting peace." So far, Taia has helped rehabilitate roads and bridges, supplied materials for local schools, improved health care facilities, and created jobs for hundreds who desperately needed them.

Bill Clinton and Jeffrey Wright with other Taia team members at the Clinton Global Initiative September 2009

Shine on Sierra Leone, founded by director/producer Tiffany Persons, focuses mainly on the communities of Sierra Leone, offering healthcare and safe haven for pregnant women, helping to build schools and fund them, and even build homes for those in need. Tiffany hopes to not only help Sierra Leoneans in need, but to also help educate others by showing them that Sierra Leone is a beautiful place filled with wonderful people who just want to take back their home and make it an even more beautiful place.

Tiffany Persons with students at the Muddy Lotus primary school

Perhaps the most remarkable charity involved with the event tonight is Jewels for Africa, which was formed by none other than the children of Wade Watson. Together with their friend Melina, Damon and Christina create unique jewelry using beads and pendants made from natural sources, sell them, then give ALL profits to children at Muddy Lotus, the St. George Orphanage, and the Aberdeen Primary School of Sierra Leone. The funds the schools and orphanage receive goes to providing items like food, clothing, school supplies, and even toys for the less fortunate in need.

Some of Jewels for Africa's creations on display at Glittering Conscience

We hope you will join us for this exciting and charitable event. Get all your holiday shopping done in one night and know that you're not only buying gits that were made sustainably, but that will also give back to those in need. 

Remember! The party is from 6-10 pm tonight, Dec 15, at 96 West Houston St NYC 10012! Call (646) 455-0164 if you need more information! Thanks for reading!

Going Green This Holiday Season

So, it's officially December and if you haven't started your holiday shopping yet, it's definitely a good time to get started on at least planning! Last week we posted Glittering Conscience's Black Friday Gift Guide, and that will give you plenty of good ideas for green gifts for everyone on your list.

In this post, we also wanted to focus on how you can go green this holiday season, from using recycled wrapping, to shopping local and supporting small businesses, to making homemade gifts for your friends and family. There are so many ways to save your cash along with your planet too!

First off, recycled wrapping is a must when going green for the holidays. Look for wrapping that says "made from recycled paper" on it, or better yet, recycle your own paper if you happen to have any.   If you're not a crazy pack rat who keeps the wrapping and packaging from everything they get, then you can simply use newspaper, old magazines, or an old bag you no longer use. All of R&C's packaging is made from 100% recycled materials.

Making homemade gifts is always extra sweet, and it will likely mean more to the person you give it to since it's much more personal. There are lots of things you could make, such as ornaments, paintings if you're an artist, picture frames, hand-knit scarves, home-baked cookies...the possibilities in this category really are endless!

           The Jasmine Earrings from the Endless Color Collection are hand made from sterling silver and 14k gold wire which is twisted and wrapped around the gem stones by hand!

Saving energy is a simple thing you could do to stay green this season. If you hang lights for decoration or on your tree, turn outdoor lights off during the day and indoor tree lights off at night. As pretty as they are to look at, you will not only save on your electric bill, but also help support energy conservation. We only use Earth-friendly CFL light bulbs in our offices and in Glittering Conscience.

Be sure to recycle your tree after it's finally ready to take it down...as in when the pine needles start to turn brown and cover more of your floor than the branches. If you're like some people, you'll like to keep your tree up well past New Year's, and that's a good way to make it last and get what you paid for- and also help the tree to serve its purpose in this case! Some people choose to get a fake Christmas tree believing it will last much longer and deter the chopping down of trees, but the truth is they are actually much worse for the environment since they are made from toxic chemicals linked to causing cancer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and when they eventually do get thrown out, they are burned and the chemicals are released into the air. Real trees freshen the air, and you're also supporting local farmers when you buy a living tree, which can be grown organically.

An example of an eco-friendly fake tree from possibiliTrees

Shop smart this year as many are still suffering from the weak economy (despite the crazy news we saw after Black Friday involving pepper-spraying shoppers and police brutality!). Support your local shopping district; support small businesses, like Glittering Conscience and Ruff&Cut; buy eco-friendly items; and most importantly of all, don't give in to over-consumerism- just because it's the holidays, that doesn't mean you have to buy a bunch of useless junk that no one will ever use. Get gifts that will last, or that will really make an impression. Glittering Conscience- as you know! -carries a lot of very unique eco-conscious items, such as R&C's Earth-friendly and conflict-free fine jewelry, Platinum Dirt leather products made from recycled vintage auto upholstery, and Nahui Ollin handbags made from upcycled candy wrapper and magazines.

These are just a few suggestions for shopping green this year and keeping your holidays Earth-friendly. Now we'd like to hear from you! Please share how you're staying green this year in the comments. Earth911 has some great suggestions too! Stay tuned for GC events and R&C holiday sales coming soon!