Starfish Project
Handmade jewelry from Starfish Project, a social enterprise in Asia that employs women leaving exploitation and trafficking.
- Fair trade
- Member of Fair Trade Federation
- Made in
- Asia
- Founded
- 2006
Vetted by The Labour Movement · last reviewed October 2026 · How we vet brands
Starfish Project helps women who have left exploitation build independent lives through steady work, counseling and education.
The story
Jenny McGee and a few friends started Starfish Project in 2006, working alongside five women who had chosen to leave exploitation in Asia. It began as a small jewelry business around a dining table and now employs more than 200 women.
The women make the jewelry by hand, using metalwork, stone setting, enameling and hand assembly. Several of the company's department leaders came through its own care program, and jewelry sales cover the business's costs, including salaries.
Alongside paid work, Starfish Project offers safe housing, trauma counseling, vocational training, medical insurance and education grants for the women's children; donations fund those programs. It is a member of the Fair Trade Federation.
-
Justice Stainless Bar Necklace
Asia
Regular price $55.00 USDRegular price -
Justice Gold Bar Necklace
Asia
Regular price $55.00 USDRegular price -
Hope Grows Necklace in Lavender
Asia
Regular price $52.00 USDRegular price -
Anchor of Hope Necklace
Asia
Regular price $55.00 USDRegular price -
Radiant Dawn Necklace
Asia
Regular price $55.00 USDRegular price -
Haven Studs – Royal Purple Emperor Stone
Asia
Regular price $45.00 USDRegular price -
Canopy Stud Earrings – Royal Purple Emperor Stone
Asia
Regular price $45.00 USDRegular price -
Canopy Stud Earrings – White Turquoise
Asia
Regular price $45.00 USDRegular price -
Act Justly Necklace in Gold
Asia
Regular price $48.00 USDRegular price -
Radiant Cross Necklace in Gold
Asia
Regular price $48.00 USDRegular price -
Faithful Sterling Silver Classic Cross Necklace
Asia
Regular price $88.00 USDRegular price -
Sanctuary Sterling Silver Cross Necklace
Asia
Regular price $135.00 USDRegular price -
Reflections of Indigo Tassel Scarf
Asia
Regular price $72.00 USDRegular price -
Hope Grows Earrings
Asia
Regular price $48.00 USDRegular price -
Maya Agate Bracelet in Earth Tones
Asia
Regular price $52.00 USDRegular price -
Light We Carry Bracelet Set in Agate
Asia
Regular price $65.00 USDRegular price
Shop more like Starfish Project
Every fair trade category with Starfish Project products, alongside other vetted brands.
Jewelry
Shop all Jewelry →
Clothing
Shop all Clothing →
Home & Garden
Shop all Home & Garden →
Baby & Toddler
Shop all Baby & Toddler →
More to explore
Brands like Starfish Project
Alegria Accessories
Beaded and gemstone jewelry handmade in Honduras by a small team of women artisans working full time.
Shop Alegria Accessories →
SLATE + SALT
Alpaca and cashmere accessories, towels and jewelry handmade by artisan partners in Peru, Nepal, Turkey and Southeast Asia.
Shop SLATE + SALT →
Mata Traders
Earrings, necklaces and dresses made by fair trade cooperatives in India and Nepal, from a Chicago brand started by three friends.
Shop Mata Traders →
About Starfish Project
Is Starfish Project fair trade?
Yes. Starfish Project is a member of the Fair Trade Federation, which screens whole businesses against nine fair trade principles before accepting them. The Labour Movement also vetted Starfish Project before listing it, and we review every brand each year.
Who makes Starfish Project jewelry?
Women in Asia who have left exploitation, including survivors of trafficking. They work as jewelry makers and in leadership roles across the business, and several department leaders came through Starfish Project's own care program.
Where does the money from Starfish Project jewelry go?
Jewelry sales cover the business's running costs, including the women's salaries. Its housing, counseling and education programs are funded separately by donations.