About Susan Wheeler

"Jewelry is a symbol of love and beauty.  But jewelry can be more than a symbol it has the ability to benefit others in it's creation. I make jewelry without forgetting that we need love for everyone, and our world.  I have a passionate commitment to make responsible jewelry."  Susan

Susan Wheeler Design jewelry is focused on walking the walk not just talking the talk.  The commitment in working on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, refers to a supply chain that implements materials that are a product of initiatives that address the SDGs where possible.  Every element of all fine jewelry is mined from the earth.  Mining is second to agriculture in livelihoods for rural populations. Mining is the fastest growing sector contributing to deforestation globally.  Mining can be poverty driven and with substance wages.  Gem cutting involves occupation hazards that can lead to silicosis if not done properly and in a safe environment.   

Susan Wheeler works to gain knowledge daily on the state of the jewelry industry and works daily to improve her role in the jewelry industry.  It is because of her knowledge and expertise that she is driven to continually do better in her own work, where the environment, wildlife and lives of other people are at risk, OK is not good enough.

The gold used in Susan Wheeler Design Jewelry is Fairmined or Just Gold.  That means that it is helping the livelihoods of small scale miners, in countries such as Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.  The gold is conflict free, illicit free and mined with minimal environmental impact.   All diamonds in purchased for collections in the past few years, are antique and recycled.   The gemstones purchased for jewelry within the past few years and into the future are traceable, some directly to the miner.   Follow the supply chain of Susan's jewelry and you will find women in Tanzania mining garnets to provide a living for themselves and their families, a community of miners in Colombia that has overcome a violent past and succeeded in producing gold so clean that it was used for the Nobel Peace Prize and you will also find a Zambian Gem Cutter who arrived at his first day of work, week from hunger, now with full time employment from gem cutting at Inconge Zita he can support his mother and his sister. 

Susan is a leader in Responsible Sourcing.  She is the Founder and CEO of The Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference.  She sits on the board of Directors of Ethical Metalsmiths, The Jewelry Industry Summit and The Chicago Women's Jewelry Association. She is a member and jewelry consultant for Chicago Fair Trade.