How did Bario Neal come to be?
We, Anna Bario and Page Neal started Bario Neal in 2008 with the shared idea that our most precious things come with a story. We’re honored to make objects that represent deeply felt experiences, loves, and losses — armor, glitter, vessels for meaning and value.
Jewelry allowed us to unite our creative, social, and environmental passions. It’s a gift to work with materials rarely treated as waste, materials from the earth with an infinite lifespan. Like gemstones, the cosmic-level pieces of planetary history formed into existence over centuries, long before we held them. These natural elements add a miraculous depth to what we make.
While we were drawn to the imaginative possibilities of jewelry, we were disillusioned by industry standards that turned a blind eye to the harmful, widespread effects of mining. So, before we launched, we committed to doing things better — for the earth, the people and communities within the supply chain, our customers, and in turn, our business.
Today, we’re an industry leader in ethical sourcing and mindful production. Our jewelry reflects individualism, gender and marriage equality, and conscious values rooted in ethical origin from mine to market. We hope you’ll find a piece of jewelry that represents your most authentic self.
Tell us more about your process, the materials you use, and the ethics behind it.
It’s a privilege to make jewelry that celebrates love and life for all identities and experiences. Equality, ethical craft, and social and environmental responsibility are central to our vision. We’re committed to maintaining transparency and continuous improvement to create a new sustainable standard within the jewelry industry.
Our jewelry is made with precious metals that have been carefully sourced to reflect our commitment to human rights and environmental sustainability and are 100% recycled or Fairmined certified. Bario Neal was among the first jewelry companies to participate in the Fairmined Assurance label, ensuring all participating miners meet rigorous social and ecological standards. We proudly offer Fairmined gold extracted by small-scale and artisanal miners, and we work closely with U.S. refineries that minimize environmental impacts during the production of our recycled metals.
Our colored gemstones are fully traceable and handled according to strict labor and environmental standards. We work with established mines in the U.S. and globally and support new efforts in responsible artisanal mining. In addition, we repurpose recycled gemstones from old stock or other jewelry, which requires no industrial processes and avoids further impact.
Our diamonds are fully traceable and primarily of recycled, Australian, and Canadian origin. Our lab-grown diamonds are certified Sustainability Rated and adhere to comprehensive sustainability requirements, including traceability, ethical stewardship, climate neutrality, sustainable production practices, and sustainability investments.
All of our jewelry is crafted in-house or in collaboration with American makers, which allows us to reduce our environmental footprint and create products with minimal impact.
Any advice for couples looking for their engagement and wedding bands?
When it comes to finding the jewelry you wear to celebrate the rest of your life with someone, we always guide clients to follow their intuition and choose a design that speaks to them or that they think would resonate with their partner.
What is the process for a customer/couple if they want a custom-made piece?
Jewelry has the power to symbolize significant moments throughout time. A meaningful design should feel as powerful as the milestones, traditions, love, and loved ones it represents.
Our custom process lets us work with you on a one-of-a-kind design. Whether you’re starting from scratch or have a specific vision, want to update an heirloom or create a new one, or are interested in personalizing a piece from our collection.
We strive to be accessible to a range of budgets and styles. To pursue a custom project, please get in touch with us or start by filling out our Custom Design Questionnaire.
After filling out our Custom Design Questionnaire or meeting with us at one of our locations or virtually, we’ll discuss your plans and offer our initial design suggestions. We love when clients come to us with references and ideas, but we do not replicate other designers’ work. At this time, we’ll review our contract and policies and provide a basic estimate.
Once we’ve settled on a design direction, the next step is to sign the contract and provide payment. From there, we’ll begin sourcing your stones and finalizing the design.
Where are you located, and can international customers purchase your work?
We have showrooms in Philadelphia and Brooklyn – and offer virtual appointments. But, of course, you can always purchase our collection of jewelry directly through our online store.
What’s new for Bario Neal over the next 12 months?
We are always busy designing, innovating, and brainstorming new projects at Bario Neal. So stay tuned this coming year for a new website, collections, collaborations, ethical gemstone offerings, and custom designs.
Find more of Barios’ work here- Bario Neal