People often say to me “but surely all jewellery is vegan right? It’s just metal and stones?”
Well here’s the thing, unless your jeweller has gone out and sourced alternatives, lots of the things jewellers use to make your jewellery will contain animal products. Polishing compounds contain animal fat, polishing mops are made from wool, hammers can be made from hide, shellac (which jewellers use to hold things in place when setting) is made from beetles etc. Most presentation packaging and boxes will also contain animal glue.
Veganism is a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude—as far as is possible and practicable—all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals. (Vegan Society Definition of Vegan)
It’s a bit like not wanting your vegan food fried in animal fat, or your wine to be fined with egg.