Temple of the Sun
Lacks transparency. Publishes some details, but doesn't show its workers are paid and treated fairly.
Last researched 3 November 2026 · 5 sources
Byron Bay jewellery brand.
There's no proof Temple of the Sun pays more than the legal minimum, which in Thailand is below a living wage, and it has no full independent audit.
Other fashion jewellery brands
No fashion jewellery brand we've graded is better than Lacks transparency yet. Other fine jewellery brands do better.
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Why it's graded Lacks transparency
- Not met: Meets 1 of 6 Good requirements.
- Holds the grade back: It doesn't show that workers are paid a living wage, and isn't certified as working towards one. On Track needs at least one of these.
- It isn't Harm on record, because there's no serious confirmed problem on its record.
- Lacks transparency is still a poor grade: in supply chains like this, workers who can't be seen to be treated fairly are usually underpaid or unprotected.
Good requirements 1 of 6
- Not met: Pays a living wage, or holds a strong fair-pay certificationLiving wage: no evidence
- Not met: Respects worker rightsMost of its products are made in Thailand, where unions are heavily restricted, and it has no full supply chain audit.
- Not met: Supply chain independently audited or certified, or at least 80% made in countries with strong labour standards
- Met: No child or forced labour findings or links
- Not met: Names the factories or farms that make its products, or is fully certified by a scheme that holds and audits that list
- Not met: Conflict-free: diamonds, gems and gold traced to the mine, lab-grown, recycled or Fairmined (the Kimberley Process alone isn't enough)
Red flags 2
- Red flag: No evidence it pays a living wage
- Red flag: Hidden supply chain, mostly in countries with poor worker rights
Stars it would earn as Good
None yet. Stars only show on Good companies. About stars
Estimates for its products
Our rules applied to one kind of product at a time, using Temple of the Sun's evidence and, where it has product lines, that line's countries. They're estimates: we don't know which factory made any single item.
Rings, Necklaces & pendants, Earrings, Bracelets: Lacks transparency, the same as Temple of the Sun overall, because nothing we know differs between them.
Holding one? Scan its barcode for an estimate that uses its care label or ingredients.
Where it's made
Temple of the Sun says which countries it makes its products in, but doesn't name the factories.
| Country | Worker rights | Legal minimum wage | Forced labour risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | No guarantee of rights | Below a living wage | Moderate |
| Australia | Strong protections | About a living wage | Low |
Evidence
What we found
- Risk across the industry, not a finding about this company: gold and gemstone mining are linked to child labour, forced labour and mercury poisoning. (partly offset by certification or direct sourcing)
- Uses recycled metals or fibres
- It is Responsible Jewellery Council certified, but its stones and gold aren't traced to the mine. The Kimberley Process only covers diamonds that fund rebel wars, not abuses by governments or forced labour. Source
Research notes Temple of the Sun says its jewellery is made in two family-owned studios in Bangkok, both assessed against the RJC Code of Practices and SMETA criteria, while engagement styles are made in its Byron Bay and Sydney studios and solid gold in Byron Bay, Sydney and Bangkok. It gives no split between Thailand and Australia and names no studios. It says its sterling silver is certified recycled and its gold is RJC-certified recycled and responsibly sourced, but names no refiners or certifier. Diamonds rely on the Kimberley Process or are lab-grown, coloured stones come from RJC-certified suppliers, and it publishes no wage information.
What independent sources say
Sources and actions
Sources 5
Show all 5 sources
- Fashion Journal – Temple of the Sun Ceremonial jewellery (2023) · search the archive · Ceremonial solid gold range handcrafted in Byron Bay from recycled and responsibly sourced gold, with lab-grown or conflict-free diamonds.
Published by Temple of the Sun or its owner
- Temple of the Sun – Our Promise · search the archive · Made in two family-owned Bangkok studios assessed against RJC and SMETA; engagement styles made in Byron Bay and Sydney; silver certified recycled.
- Temple of the Sun – Our Story · search the archive · Founded 2015 in Byron Bay; Solid Gold Studio there; Ceremonial pieces use RJC-certified stones, Kimberley Process and lab-grown diamonds.
- Temple of the Sun – Ethical sterling silver · search the archive · Silver range made from recycled and ethically sourced 925 sterling silver with RJC-certified gemstones; designed in Byron Bay.
- Temple of the Sun – FAQs · search the archive · Bespoke pieces handcrafted by its artisans in Byron Bay; product lines are gold vermeil, ethical sterling silver and solid gold.
Company details
- Headquarters
- Australia
- Last researched
- 3 November 2026
- Cite this page
- Labour Lens, "Is Temple of the Sun ethical? Labour rating", https://www.labourlens.net/brand/temple-of-the-sun, last researched 3 November 2026, accessed [date].
- Method
- Researched with AI assistance against published rules. How we check · What Lacks transparency means
Something missing or wrong?
Grades are opinions based on the evidence listed here. Send us evidence, or a right of reply if you represent Temple of the Sun.