In this episode of the BAJ Podcast, Sofie Boons speaks with jeweller and ethical‑making advocate Saskia Shutt. Rooted in a practice shaped by transparency and responsibility, Saskia is a Fairmined‑licensed maker whose work directly supports artisanal mining communities and promotes traceable, positive sourcing. Beyond her own bench, she is an active contributor to groups such as Fair Luxury, Truly Precious, Ethical Metalsmiths, and organisations including Diamonds for Peace, where she helps drive conversations around fairness, accountability, and sustainability within the industry.
Together, Sofie and Saskia explore what ethical jewellery looks like in practice, from sourcing Fairmined gold and navigating relationships with mining communities, engaging in policy discussions, to participating in networks pushing for systemic change.
This episode offers a thoughtful and grounded look at the evolving landscape of ethical jewellery, and the role individual makers can play in shaping a more transparent future for the craft. Tune in to hear Saskia’s story, her experiences, and the ideas currently shaping her work.
Saskia is a Belgian–British jeweller with twenty-seven years at the bench, and she believes deeply in equity — that everyone deserves the chance to earn a decent living. The materials used in jewellery often come from an industry that is demanding on both the earth and the communities who depend on it.
Moreover, after relocating to Belgium in 2010, Saskia felt compelled to have a positive impact in her industry. In 2018, she joined the Community for Ethical Jewellers and became a Fairmined licensed brand. Through these connections, her perspective widened. She discovered a network of like-minded jewellers and suppliers committed to sustainability, traceability, and responsible sourcing. More importantly, she realised that even as an independent artisan, she could actively contribute to empowering artisanal and small-scale miners by choosing to source differently.
Being able to support equity throughout the supply chain is no longer an abstract ideal for Saskia — it is a daily practice. She often asks herself: if something as beautiful as jewellery originates in exploitation or environmental harm, can it truly be called beautiful? She is proud to create pieces that not only shine outwardly, but carry integrity within them — jewellery her clients can wear with confidence, knowing its story is one of respect and responsibility.
Discover more about our host, Dr Sofie Boons. Explore Saskia’s inspiring jewellery journey on her website.
Listen on Spotify here, and Apple Podcasts here.
Photo credit: Nathalie Stroobant Photography
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