Jewelry mining is the cause of so much pollution and destruction in the world, but it is still one of the most widely accepted ways of contributing to climate change and precarious environments. In this exhibition, Unstable: Jewelry Mining's Effects on Our Future, the viewer first enters a room that mimics the conditions of cave mines. They are shown statistics about habitat loss and inhumane working conditions, while also being given the chance to interact with the space by experiencing warm temperatures in the mines or lifting a heavy pick axe.
After the viewer exists that room, however, they are immediately transported to a jewelry showroom. While this showroom is reminiscent of Tiffany, all of the jewels and metals in this room are recycled or man-made. Along the newly-painted white walls are infographics depicting the process of recycling gold and growing lab-created diamonds, informing the viewer of what may be foreign to them. In the center of the room, there is a jewelry case that features sets of bracelets and necklaces all with different man-made stones. Behind them, viewers can use the large infographic to learn more about each of the stones and consider it for their next jewelry purchase.
At the end of the room, there is a donation card swipe for Green America. Beyond donating gold and buying ethical stones, one of the easiest and most effective ways to help rectify the jewelry business is by donating to nonprofits who have the resources to enact change.
