Philosophy
Grayling donates 10% of all proceeds.
Ten years ago, our Founder launched Grayling to challenge long-held jewelry industry practices and make a positive impact in the world. Here's what makes us different.
M I S S I O N
We make jewelry that feels (and does) good. For over ten years, Grayling has been committed to creating modern nickel-free jewelry that is safe for everyone, including people with sensitive skin. With an estimated 15-20% of humans allergic to nickel (including our Founder Katy), it's an exhilarating approach.
We believe no one should have to worry about toxic chemicals in their jewelry. Nickel, along with metals like chromium, lead, cadmium, are commonly used in pieces made by fast-fashion brands even though these heavy metals are known carcinogens. As a U.S.-based jewelry company with primarily U.S.-based suppliers, we have strong control over our supply chain. The result is a safer, more comfortable product we feel proud to sell and personally wear ourselves.
We guarantee hardwearing finishes that won't lose their shine. We believe durability and a fair price can go hand in hand and we take great measures testing our products and working with our plating houses and raw materials providers to assure our pieces won't lose their luster after only a few wears. We hold ourselves and the products we design to the highest quality standards. If we aren't happy with it, we won't sell it. Period.
We offer size-inclusive pieces so every jewelry lover can adorn themselves comfortably. Because jewelry is not one-size-fits-all. At Grayling, no one will pay more to get the same product in a length tailored to their needs. Our Extended Sizing Collection includes our best-selling jewelry styles in lengths created for sizes 00-6X, and rings from size 3-14. How's that for a breath of fresh air?
C O M M U N I T Y
Jewelry is more than just an accessory—it can be a link to a stronger community. In 2020, when the pandemic hit, our Founder made a new pledge to donate 10% of all proceeds to hard-working organizations.
Together with our customers, we donated the equivalent of 1/2 A MILLION MEALS+ with Feeding America!
For a small, independently-owned company this was a huge milestone. And it's one we're still proudly celebrating today (along the our customers who helped make it possible)! Beyond our work with Feeding America, we've also donated over $50,000 to numerous non-profits and continue to do so.
W E D O N A T E T O
Asian Mental Health Collective
The Black Mamas Matter Alliance
The Marsha P. Johnson Institute
Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon
Asian Pacific Fund's COVID Recovery Fund
Center for Asian Pacific American Women
The Endometriosis Research Center
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
Together, we're fighting hunger, funding endometriosis research and supporting Black mamas before, during and after pregnancy. We're lending a hand to local animal sanctuaries, LGBTQIA organizations, orphanages and clean water programs. And we're showing up for communities of color with a particular focus on our AAPI neighbors and Black women and girls. Receipts are posted to our Instagram page so you can follow along!
Not every company does things this way. But it assures we all shine. Together.
If there is an organization you feel we should know about, please send us a note - we'd love to hear from you!
M A T E R I A L S
We love to see you sparkle, and we'll settle for nothing less than the best. That's why we use incredibly brilliant, highly-faceted elements from coveted houses like Swarovski to make our baubles shimmer.
We source the majority of our raw materials from U.S. based suppliers, because the beauty of our bling is more than skin deep. Our production team works with third-party verified recycled metals that are eco-friendly whenever possible. We value the long-standing relationships we've established with family-owned plating houses, chain makers, and distributors around the U.S.
At Grayling, we care about your health (and ours). We will not use cheap metal fillers such as cadmium, lead or nickel in our jewelry. We adhere to strict quality control standards so everyone can feel safe and comfortable wearing our handmade pieces.
We use environmentally responsible materials whenever possible. Our 14k gold-fill and sterling silver chains are machine-made to order in New York and Italy and we work with U.S. suppliers whenever possible to assure fair wages and safe working conditions within our supply chain.
O U R T E A M
We make things by hand. One piece at a time. When Katy launched Grayling, she made a conscious decision to hand-make our jewelry in the U.S., which creates local jobs and assures our pieces are of the highest quality. Our pieces are made with responsibility in mind.
We are a small group of artisans that care about every single piece that leaves our studio. Our close-knit team (<-- yay, that's us!) believes in having fun in life at the studio and beyond. We will drop everything for mimosas and cat memes!
Every member of our team is paid at or above Oregon's minimum wage and receives paid time off after six months of employment. Full-time employees are eligible for health insurance and retirement benefits along with flexible scheduling and more.
Our work standards go beyond laws set forth by the Fair Labor Standards Act, the state of Oregon, and the Bureau of Labor and Industry to assure Grayling is a healthy, safe, and engaging work environment.
Thanks for visiting us! Drop us a line anytime, we'd love to hear from you.
