Photo by Tom Sepenzis

Notice the necklace Jordin’s wearing in the photo above? It’s a pendant of a penguin, but not just any penguin – it’s an endangered Emperor Penguin, a “regal bird whose feathers are increasingly ruffled by global warming and human intervention,” according to the eco-chic accessories site cheekymonkeyjewelry.com. The necklace and chain are 100% recycled silver with a fair-trade sapphire for an eye, and the message on the back – “One hot chick” -- reminds us of the poor penguin’s plight.

Full disclosure: The pendant was a gift to Jordin from a friend of CGG, the environmentally-friendly British jewelry designer Simon Cardwell. This is not the first piece of Cheeky Monkey Jewelry that Jordin has in her collection; in fact, Simon was “chuffed” (that’s Brit-speak for thrilled) that Jordin actually had with her the recycled gold Red Squirrel necklace he gave her last year. “It’s one of my favorite necklaces!” Jordin explained. “People ask me all the time, ‘Where did you get that squirrel?’ “

So why the need for “green” accessories? For starters, there’s enough precious metals already mined to meet demand for the next 50 years or so, says Simon, who adds:

“The reason that mining is invasive and bad is because the chemicals used –- like cyanide – are environmentally unsound. These poisonous chemicals run into the water table, adversely affecting animals, flora, fauna and local communities.”

Other celebrity fans of Cheeky Monkey Jewelry include Drew Barrymore (she has the polar bear), High School Musical stars Ashley Tisdale and Monique Coleman, Emma Roberts, Avril Lavigne (she owns the shark), and lead Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger (born under the sign of cancer, she has the crab).