the sasa mission
at sasa, we believe in the connectedness of the entire planet.
We’re invested in moving away from the environmental destruction and human exploitation that the jewelry industry has long been part of. sasa is doing things differently because we recognize our responsibility to put the planet first, while also facilitating equity for the people throughout the industry.
When you shop sasa, you invest in quality and responsibility.
sasa was created in 2020 in Brooklyn by designer Sarah Malim. While Sarah has been designing one of a kind wedding and engagement rings since 2016, she became increasingly frustrated by the lack of transparency offered when sourcing diamonds for her clients. Realizing the diamond industry did not align with her ethos she pivoted to develop a brand rooted in transparency and responsibility, and actualized in bold but feminine and funky modern designs.
Although not offically launched until 2020, sasa has been in development since Sarah’s childhood. Her dad, a geologist, encouraged her first rock collection, which ranged from core samples to polished tiger eye. And although she has moved on from granite chunks to precision cut gemstones, the sentiment remains the same: these pieces serve as a tangible connection to the earth.
Another essential piece to the sasa story is when Sarah proposed to her husband in 2014. At the time, she couldn’t find an alternative engagement ring that served to symbolize her partnership but that also embraced her individuality and unique proposal. Ultimately both her and her husband wore heirloom family rings (she wore her moms and her husband wore his grandfathers) for many years until she was able to make them something that fit their styles and ethos. This ring shopping experience stayed with her and spurred her on to create sasa for everyone who is traditional, but in a non traditional way. For the people who have a deep awareness for the world around them and have the expectation that ethical doesn’t have to sacrifice aesthetics. This is for them :)
In 2022 Sarah relocated from Brooklyn, NY to Bozeman, MT where she lives with her husband Joey and thier rescue dog Yuuna
The sasa Story
the sasa standards
transparency
Traditional jewelry supply chains have long been rooted in environmental destruction and human exploitation. sasa is doing things differently. We are committed to transparency in sourcing and production.
All of the gemstones we source can be traced to their origin (sometimes even to the person who mined the stone)! Most of our gemstones are precision cut by people around the US, not mass produced. All design and fabrication takes place in Bozeman, MT by Sarah and in NYC by a select few of family-owned jewelry artisans and manufacturers.
We are committed to transparency in sourcing and production. All of the gemstones we source can be traced to their origin (sometimes even to the person who mined the stone)!
responsibility
At sasa it is our responsibility to put the planet first, while also facilitating equity for the people throughout the industry.
This is achieved through ethical practices and materials. While ethical is a common buzz word for sustainablity (often with no real meaning other than to green-wash) we have come to define it as standards that ensure human and environmental well being. These practices are ever evolving while we grow and understand our impact but are currently implemented through small batch production, traceable and fair trade Gemstones, recycled and handmade packaging, and 100% recycled gold or fairmined gold.
We put the planet first and aim to facilitate equity for our industry by focusing on small batch production, sourcing traceable and fair trade Gemstones, choosing recycled and handmade packaging, and using 100% recycled gold or fairmined gold.
interconnection
sasa believes in the connectedness of the entire planet. By recognizing and fostering this connection, jewelry can have a positive impact throughout the entire supply chain.
This is not just the connection between business and buyer but the interconnection of the earth, the artisional miners, the makers, and even you. What you buy has complex effects around the world and we hope to encourage productive purchases over destructive consumption.
We believe in the interconnectedness of the entire planet. What you buy has complex effects around the world. We hope to encourage productive purchases over destructive consumption.
Ethical Materials
Traceable Gemstones
sasa is ditching diamonds for colored gemstones. While many consumers are aware of certified conflict free diamonds, this certification does not acknowledge the environmental or labor impact. While we could source recycled diamonds, we feel that this only encourages the demand for newly mined diamonds. We enjoy sharing the country of origin and who cut our gemstones because it is extremely difficult (if not impossible) to get these answers for diamonds and it is truly the only way to know our own impact on the environment and communities across the world.
100% Recycled Gold
sasa pieces are cast only with certified recycled gold or fairmined gold. Using recycled gold contributes to a circular economy, ensuring minimal waste and continued use of materials over generations. Our caster has undergone an audit by the Scientific Global Services (SCS) to certify that the gold grain used for casting is 100% recycled content.
Fairmined Gold
Gold mining almost predominantly uses the toxin mercury. Fairmined gold is mined without mercury and has high environmental and labor standards. Using fairmined gold impacts entire mining communities by providing livable wages and safe working conditions. Our caster is a fairmined licensee that certifies their gold casting grain comes from small-scale mining organizations that ensure responsible mining and business practices. While we primarily use recycled gold, we are also creating pieces with fairmined gold to create jewelry with a positive social and environmental story.
Packaging
sasa pieces are shipped in 100% recycled boxes and sealed with fully compostable tape. Our ring boxes and pouches are hand made from new material so we encourage you to keep these to proctect your pieces when you aren't wearing them. When viable recycled ring boxes and pouches are available we will update this aspect of our packaging. Progess over perfection!