JEWELLERY & WATCHES
STEPHEN WEBSTER
London based, luxury jewellery designer Stephen Webster is internationally renowned for his fearless design, traditional craftsmanship, cutting-edge processes, and commitment to using responsibly and ethically sourced materials. Taking influence from art, fashion, music, literature, and the natural world, Stephen’s unique approach has assured the brand industry-wide recognition. Founded on 40 vibrant years of impeccable craftsmanship and a passion for traditional British skills, Webster’s work has been built on a foundation of technical excellence, perfecting his craft at the workbench in London’s Hatton Garden where he first began his apprenticeship at the age of 16.
SUSTAINABILITY ETHOS
At Stephen Webster, their philosophy is to build a business to be a force for good. They embrace challenges to become more sustainable in their practices, led by a mission to operate in a socially responsible way that supports both their environment, and the wellbeing and safety of their communities, from their internal team to their suppliers and beyond. Since established in 1989, it is their belief that fine jewellery should not only be impeccably crafted but also stand for something good, with sustainability at heart of each step.
Established
1989
Headquarters
London, UK
First Certified
2016
Employees
13
Categories
Fine Jewellery & Homeware
Website
Distribution
Worldwide
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT CARD
Click below to see the detailed breakdown of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance. Stephen Webster has been comprehensively assessed and scored against all key areas of sustainability, including impact on climate, nature and water, treatment of workers and communities as well as how ethically the business is run. Performance is assessed against international agreements, global frameworks, standards and legislation.
REAL CHANGE IN ACTION
CIRCULAR BUSINESS MODELS
Stephen Webster places circularity at the core of their business. Their RESET initiative aims to repurpose jewellery pieces, reusing parts and breathing new life into pre-loved designs. Adopting a reduce, reuse, recycle mindset, the brand has a thorough internal waste management system and uses recyclable and biodegradable materials in their packaging. Stephen Webster also has a zero single-use plastic tolerance policy that begins by providing training and a re-usable water bottle to everyone in the team.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CULTURE
Ensuring inclusivity throughout their business and reflecting that in Stephen Webster’s brand image and advertising is a priority. The brand places a particular emphasis on gender equality and female empowerment and offers apprenticeship opportunities to young professionals entering the field. Stephen Webster is engaged in a number of community projects including fundraising for the UK-based mental health charity Mind, participating in a beach clean at Margate Beach, and donating to Plastic Oceans International. In addition, they are caring for their own teams through the elimination of discrimination, enhanced parental leave, a mental health hotline and continuous development to successfully ensure high employee satisfaction and retention.
MATERIALS & PRODUCTION
Nearly 100% of all gold and silver used in Stephen Webster’s jewellery pieces are recycled. The remaining gold used in specially commissioned bespoke pieces is made from Fairtrade Gold or Single Mine Origin Gold, while all of the brands diamonds are ethically sourced through the Kimberley Process Scheme. Webster holds their suppliers to the same high standard it holds itself to and ensures they align with their social and environmental objectives and follow Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains.
CLIMATE ACTION
Having conducted their complete carbon footprint calculation, the brand is now validated by Science-Based Targets (SBTi) for their 2030 Net Zero pathway, and pledged to carbon reductions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3. Further extending their commitment Webster elected a carbon offset partner to purchase certified carbon removal and avoidance credits that supports the environment and rural communities in Laos. All the energy used in Stephen Webster’s corporate and store facilities comes from renewable sources. The brand is able to further reduce their carbon footprint by choosing recycled metals for their jewellery production.
Stephen Webster places circularity at the core of their business. Their RESET initiative aims to repurpose jewellery pieces, reusing parts and breathing new life into pre-loved designs. Adopting a reduce, reuse, recycle mindset, the brand has a thorough internal waste management system and uses recyclable and biodegradable materials in their packaging. Stephen Webster also has a zero single-use plastic tolerance policy that begins by providing training and a re-usable water bottle to everyone in the team.
Ensuring inclusivity throughout their business and reflecting that in Stephen Webster’s brand image and advertising is a priority. The brand places a particular emphasis on gender equality and female empowerment and offers apprenticeship opportunities to young professionals entering the field. Stephen Webster is engaged in a number of community projects including fundraising for the UK-based mental health charity Mind, participating in a beach clean at Margate Beach, and donating to Plastic Oceans International. In addition, they are caring for their own teams through the elimination of discrimination, enhanced parental leave, a mental health hotline and continuous development to successfully ensure high employee satisfaction and retention.
Nearly 100% of all gold and silver used in Stephen Webster’s jewellery pieces are recycled. The remaining gold used in specially commissioned bespoke pieces is made from Fairtrade Gold or Single Mine Origin Gold, while all of the brands diamonds are ethically sourced through the Kimberley Process Scheme. Webster holds their suppliers to the same high standard it holds itself to and ensures they align with their social and environmental objectives and follow Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains.
Having conducted their complete carbon footprint calculation, the brand is now validated by Science-Based Targets (SBTi) for their 2030 Net Zero pathway, and pledged to carbon reductions across Scopes 1, 2 and 3. Further extending their commitment Webster elected a carbon offset partner to purchase certified carbon removal and avoidance credits that supports the environment and rural communities in Laos. All the energy used in Stephen Webster’s corporate and store facilities comes from renewable sources. The brand is able to further reduce their carbon footprint by choosing recycled metals for their jewellery production.
Standards & Accreditations
To provide evidence of sustainability performance across luxury companies' full value chain, 180+ memberships, accreditations and specialist certifications are taken into account during assessment
FAIRTRADE GOLD
Kimberley Process
JOURNEY SO FAR
02/2016
START
09/2016
FIRST CERTIFIED
06/2021
RE-SIGNED
08/2021
BASELINE ASSESSMENT
09/2021
RISK MAPPING
01/2023
AWARD NOMINATION
Shortlisted for Positive Luxury ‘Responsible Luxury Business of the Year’ Awards
12/2022
POSITIVE CHANGE
Launched our Backstage Passport initiative, offering 100% traceability on materials, as well as, environmental & social benefits
06/2022
FINAL SUBMISSION
07/2022
RE-CERTIFICATION
06/2020
SECOND CERTIFICATION
08/2021
POSITIVE CHANGE
Calculated Scope 1 and 2 emissions and reduction targets validated by Science Based Targets initiative
09/2019
POSITIVE CHANGE
Launched RESET Circular Economy jewellery recycling initiative
07/2022
POSITIVE CHANGE
Eliminated single-use plastic for client and partner shipments
03/2019
Positive Change
Made a stand against the world’s plastic pollution problem with the launch of ‘The Last Straw’, donating 10% of all sale proceeds to Plastic Oceans International
12/2020
Positive Change
Achieved production of 100% recycled gold & silver for our jewellery collections
12/2022
Positive Change
First brand to launch a collaborate collection with Skydiamond; the world’s first carbon negative diamond
A WORD FROM THE FOUNDER
As a family business of two generations, we honour the same attention to detail to the design of our fine jewellery, to how we source our materials and gemstones, with the belief that fine jewellery should not only be impeccably crafted but also stand for something good, with sustainability at the heart of each step.
STEPHEN WEBSTER, MBE
FOUNDER
WHY POSITIVE LUXURY
Being part of the Positive Luxury network is helping to shape a more sustainable future for the luxury industry, a cause we are proud to be part of.
STEPHEN WEBSTER
FOUNDER
PATHWAY TO HIGHER STANDARDS
At Stephen Webster, they see sustainability as a journey not a destination, with the understanding that the actions we do today, will impact the future of our world and our generations to come. They are rebels with a cause, committed to challenging their business processes to reduce their environmental impact. Their future goals include achieving their Science-Based Target pledge, to become Net Zero for their company GHG emissions by 2030, sourcing IRMA recycled gold for their fine jewellery collections, transitioning to 100% outer flat pack packaging and seeking to invest their employees' pensions in only ‘Green’ investments.