The mission of Donna Distefano Ltd. is to create beautiful treasures that mark the events of a lifetime while respecting the earth and its population.  We create authentic luxury jewelry using recycled precious metals, fair trade gems and diamonds with an emphasis on giving back to the communities that mined the materials.  We also work with customers to makeover jewelry from pieces they already own to create custom, exceptional pieces.  Attention to detail, excellent craftsmanship, and a consistent high level of personalized service are the foundations of the company.

•         Donna Distefano Ltd: Where Metal and Fire Meet Love. Our jewelry is not only beautiful, but ethically responsible.
•         Donna Distefano Ltd. incorporates Fair Trade protocols in all of our gemstone jewelry. Fair Trade Gems are closely tracked from mine to market to ensure that every stone has been handled according to protocols, including environmental protection and fair labor practices at the cutting factories.
•         A tight chain of custody eliminates the possibility of treated or synthetic gems being introduced into our supply chain.
•         Donna Distefano Ltd has been committed to using recycled precious metal for more than 15 years. Always looking for ways to minimize the impact of goldsmithing on the planet, Distefano chooses to use pure gold supplied by refiners rather than miners, then creates custom high-karat gold alloys herself.
•         “Mining creates literally tons of environmental waste,” says Distefano. “There is plenty of gold already in circulation, and by using recycled gold we can diminish our impact on the environment just a little bit more.”
•         We are proud to certify that the metal in our jewelry is at least 95% recycled precious metal. Every Donna Distefano purchase comes with a certificate of authenticity from Harmony® metals.
•         Harmony® recycled gold/silver/platinum is made from precious metals that have been recycled from various sources - scrap, unwanted jewelry, electronics, etc. New or virgin precious metals are typically mined from the ground. Jewelry designers who forego recycled metal will be responsible for generating a staggering 20 tons of environmental waste producing one gold ring.
•         Donna Distefano Ltd uses only natural untreated diamonds in all jewelry collections. Diamonds that weigh ½ carat and up are accompanied by certification from an independent testing laboratory, either the Gemological Institute of America or the International Gemological Institute.
•         Donna Distefano began publicizing her consistent use of recycled gold and fair trade gemstones in 2008 with a benefit jewelry soiree for the Environmental Defense Fund; a charity she continues to support. “Why stop at just gentler manufacturing, when you can actually make an improvement?” poses the talented designer. Donna Distefano Ltd also supports international outreach charities Women for Women International and OneKid OneWorld.

"I create jewelry that is a bridge from the past to the present to the future. I enjoy knowing there is usually a symbolic meaning to its owner, that it may stir emotions, and perhaps live on for many generations. It is essential that while enjoying the gifts of nature in my craft, I must also do so while being environmentally and socially responsible.”—Donna Distefano

For more information on responsible sourcing practices in the jewelry industry, please visit:
www.nodirtygold.org
www.fairtradefederation.org
www.globalwitness.org