The First Page for Chapter Six Jewelry
2020 has been a year of change. It’s caused many of us to press pause on our lives and careers, re-evaluating our everyday choices, from business to consumption. For Gemma Totten, founder of Chapter Six Jewelry, an ethical and mission-driven company that uses only sustainable materials, this meant stepping out of her comfort zone to officially launch her jewelry line in May, despite several life lessons along the way, a breakup, and years working and sitting on the idea.
It was the designer’s own engagement that made her aware of the havoc that the jewelry industry has on our planet and others — with unregulated diamond mines, sketchy supply chains, and more. Both she and her then fiancé, Ahmet, have always been very into environmental concerns, conservation, and animal rights, and sought something sustainable to show their love.
While living together in Istanbul, the couple birthed the idea for Chapter Six and began working with Ahmet’s uncle, a jewelry manufacturer. To be as sustainable as possible, the brand re-melts and recycles elements from discarded jewelry pieces before taking the molds to local Istanbul artisans who then bring their designs to life.
After a very hands-on creative process, the first collection, Endangered was born. Each piece features an endangered animal from bees to whales, and the brand donates 10% of every sale to non-profit conservation partners. Citing the design process as her favorite, Totten plans to continuously add to the Endangered collection, while also creating new mission driven collections.
“People tend to really like the design, which is every designer’s dream, but then they hear the story behind it and like it even more,” shares Totten. To continue to educate her consumers, the budding entrepreneur is equally excited for the journal aspect of the site where she plans to interview conservationists and people working to protect these animal species.
Although the couple is no longer engaged and the company is now Totten’s own, she fully appreciates the journey that brought her here, from working with a partner to running a business solo. “It’s been nice to have small growth, as growing organically was really important to me. Quarantine was actually perfect timing because I launched it with friends and family first,” she explains.
“Being a sustainable company is a bold statement. My commitment is always pushing to be better, to reduce our impact as much as possible, and to be transparent — and sometimes that means you have to take small steps to get to the big picture.”
The LA-native moved to Laguna Beach in her teens, and after attending college in Switzerland and her time spent living in Turkey, she’s been back in Laguna for a year and credits it as one of her biggest sources of creative inspiration.
“Being by the ocean and being in a community of creative people inspire me,” says the designer. “I get most of my ideas from conversations over coffee, going on walks with people, and discussing life. Laguna is an integral part of this company.”
Currently, each piece is available to shop online, with plans to expand into retail stores in Laguna and beyond, soon. Totten is also looking forward to hosting in-person events and pop-ups when the time is right. Having conquered so much already this year, she is gearing up for much more to come.
“Every day I ask myself, ‘Does this really align with my values? Do I really want to be running a jewelry company?’” Totten poses. And with a breakup and quarantine behind her, the answer is always yes. “I know I can make it through anything.”
Sable Massingill is a writer and traveler currently living in Mexico. Visit her at SableMassingill.com.
Photos by Chad Mellon Studio.