Our Manufacturing Process & Responsible Sourcing Policy

We are confident in stating that each piece of Yoko London jewellery is manufactured responsibly

As a producer of the finest pearl jewellery, Yoko London is constantly sourcing pearls of the highest purity, lustre, colour & shape. Over the past 48 years, we have actively chosen to partner with some of the most trusted, environmentally aware and sustainable pearl farmers in the industry.

Our close partnerships with our suppliers means that we can trace the vast majority of our supply chain.

All our pearls are matched, graded & mounted by hand in Yoko London’s UK headquarters. This allows us to reduce our carbon footprint and maintain total control over this crucial part of our manufacturing process.

A guarantee card is issued with each piece of Yoko London jewellery, specifying the origin of the pearls featured in each particular piece.

We guarantee that every diamond used in our pieces is conflict free and adheres to the requirements outlined by the Kimberley Process. Additionally, our pieces do not use any diamonds which originated from, were manufactured in or transited through Russia.

In April 2021, we made the commitment to guarantee that over 50% of the gold used in our future jewellery production will be recycled and 100% of our unused gold will be recycled. We source our precious metals from responsible suppliers who have been audited by organisations such as the Responsible Mining Initiative and London Bullion Market Association. This commitment will not only minimise waste, but will also reduce our CO2 emissions. We are working hard to increase this percentage and we aim to be using 100% recycled gold in the near future.

We encourage our customers to redesign their unused pearl jewellery with us, giving their pieces a new lease of life and minimising waste. This service is offered in our London headquarters.

Our people & internal practices

We understand the immeasurable value that diversity brings to a team, which is why cultivating an inclusive environment with diversity at its core has always been a priority for us. We strive to foster a positive, friendly and caring working environment for all Yoko London employees, and provide each and every employee with an equal opportunity for growth.

Pearls: nature's sustainable gemstone

Pearl farming is one of the most sustainable and positively conscious practices in the jewellery industry with pearls being one of the few sustainable gemstones. Modern pearl farming relies predominantly on hatchery breeding programmes. These programmes carefully facilitate the reproduction of hundreds of thousands of hatchery oysters, ensuring that pearl farming does not deplete wild oyster stocks.

Fine quality pearls produced by happy oysters

Pearl oysters thrive in clean, beautiful water and the finest quality pearls are produced in such environments. As a result of this, pearl farms actively conserve and, in some cases, completely restore biodiversity and the ecosystem in the surrounding waters. Independent research has identified that there is a distinct positive connection between pearl farming and the conservation of sensitive ecosystems, such as coral reefs.

Oysters & natural filtration

70% of the carbon dioxide produced by humans is absorbed by the ocean. Oysters act as a natural filter and will remove carbon dioxide from their surroundings and convert it to the crystalised carbonate which forms their shells. This natural filtering process helps clean the ocean and promotes the growth of underwater grasses – an important habitat for many other species.

Pearl farming & economic diversity

Pearl farms offer an opportunity for these, often remote, local communities to diversify their economy. Pearl farms are an important economic pillar for these communities, alongside tourism and fishing. Pearl farming also ensures that many of these local economies do not have to rely on fishing as their main source of income, reducing the risk of over fishing and preventing the dangerous impact this has on aquatic culture. 

We recognise that, despite our continuous efforts, sustainability and social responsibility is a journey, and we are committed to continually reviewing and improving our practices wherever possible.