The new eco-frontier is jewelry, and local designer Kris Nations is on it. Utilizing recycled metals in her designs, Nations not only reduces the amount of waste produced by mining (up to 30 tons for one ounce of gold!) but keeps costs low so we can all wear gold.

A force in the eco-jewelry sector since 2004, Nations previously worked for a series of dotcoms (how Bay Area!) before partnering up with her sister to start the business. The openwork designs and nature motifs featured throughout her collection are great everyday pieces, and some of the most comfortable we’ve tried on!