When it comes to engagement rings, there are a lot of different options available on the market today. However, not all of these options may be ethically sound. If you’re looking for an ethical engagement ring, here are a few things to keep in mind.
First and foremost, consider the source of the diamond. Many diamonds on the market today come from conflict zones, where they are often used to finance wars and other violent activities.
Make sure to choose a diamond that comes from a reputable source, such as a certified mine.
Secondly, think about how the ring was produced. Was it made in a factory using harmful chemicals and pollutants?
Was it made in a factory that has sustainable practices and operates on renewable energy? Or was it handcrafted by a skilled artisan using sustainable materials?
Finally, consider the price. Ethical engagement rings can sometimes be more expensive than their non-ethical counterparts.
However, it’s important to remember that you’re not just paying for a ring – you’re also supporting ethical practices and helping to make a difference in the world.
If you keep these things in mind, you can be sure to find an ethical engagement ring that you’ll love for years to come.
The diamond industry and its connection to conflict zones
When it comes to engagement rings, the diamond is often the star of the show. However, many people don’t realize that the diamond industry is often linked to conflict zones. In fact, diamonds have been used to finance wars and other violent activities for years.
If you’re looking for an ethical engagement ring, it’s important to choose a diamond that comes from a reputable source. Make sure to do your research and only purchase diamonds from certified mines. By doing so, you can be sure that your ring isn’t funding any unethical practices.
The harmful effects of the traditional engagement ring manufacturing process
The traditional engagement ring manufacturing process is often very harmful to the environment. Factory-made rings often use harmful chemicals and pollutants, which can damage both the environment and the people who work in these factories.
Handcrafted engagement rings are another option if you’re looking for an ethical ring. These rings are made by skilled artisans using sustainable materials. Not only is this process better for the environment, but it also supports fair trade practices.
A newer engagement ring manufacturing process is emerging and thats eco friendly lab grown diamonds.
What are lab grown diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are created through a process of superheating and cooling carbon atoms until they crystallize into diamonds. These diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds, but are much more affordable.
Lab grown diamonds offer a more sustainable option for those looking for diamonds, as they do not require mining. They also have a much lower carbon footprint than mined diamonds.
If you are looking for a beautiful, sustainable, and affordable option for diamonds, then lab grown diamonds are the perfect choice.
Below are some of the best ethical engagement ring designers making a difference.
Aether Diamonds
Aether Diamonds is a public benefit corporation that extracts harmful CO2 from the atmosphere and transforms it into valuable raw materials and consumer products.
They unveiled the world’s first and only carbon-negative diamonds made 100% from air in December 2020.
The company aims to extract 100 million tonnes of CO2 from the air over the next ten years. For every 1 carat diamond, they remove 20 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere.
All the energy used to power the growth of the diamonds is from clean, sustainable sources. The growing process continues for 3-4 weeks until the exact moment when it’s reached peak perfection.
The rough diamonds are then sent to expert craftspeople to cut, polish, and set them into jewelry by hand.
Bario Neal
Bario Neal 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.
The company proudly offers Fairmined gold extracted by small-scale and artisanal miners, and work closely with U.S. refineries that minimize environmental impacts during the production of recycled metals.
To Bario Neal, ethical diamonds are more than just conflict-free. They work with a fully traceable supply chain, from mine to market. Their diamonds are primarily of recycled, Canadian and Australian origin, lab-grown.
MiaDonna
When MiaDonna founder Anna-Mieke learned the origin of her earth-mined diamond, she became passionate about finding a conflict-free alternative.
She knew there had to be others who shared this passion, so she set out to create the world’s most innovative, beautiful, and socially responsible bridal jewelry line. As a result, MiaDonna was born.
MiaDonna is dedicated to offering consumers a beautiful, ethical, and affordable diamond alternative that helps free innocent children oppressed by the active conflict diamond mining industry.
Diamonds are ethically and responsibly sourced from within Canada, and they are committed to ensuring that every purchase supports projects that help improve the lives of those affected by conflict diamonds.
If you’re looking for an exquisite wedding band that doesn’t come with a guilty conscience, look no further than MiaDonna.
Aurate
Meet AUrate, a New York based ethical jewelry company founded in 2014 by Sophie Kahn and Bouchra Ezzahraoui. The fine jewelry brand offers ethically-sourced luxurious jewels with a one-for-one model embedded in its foundation.
Materials sourced and products produced overseas are subject to entirely different standards than those in the US. For instance, diamonds could originate from countries where there’s war (so called “conflict regions”) and people are severely affected by the trade.
The industry needs to make sure, as Aurate do, to check where its materials are coming from and only source where the production circumstances meet western standards.
Each gem is carefully chosen and tracked, strictly adhering to the Kimberley Process. Their mines are run under ethical and safe working conditions with fair wages and the utmost respect for the local indigenous communities.
Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth started by creating a rigorous protocol for diamond sourcing that goes beyond current industry practices: Beyond Conflict FreeTM Diamonds which are selected for their ethical and environmentally responsible origins.
They were one of the first jewelers to offer blockchain-enabled diamonds at scale, to provide traceability of a diamond’s origin and ownership. Choosing a Brilliant Earth diamond offers unparalleled transparency of your diamond’s provenance.
Brilliant Earth strives to use 100% recycled precious metals to minimize the footprint and help diminish the negative impacts of metal mining.
Precious metals can be recycled repeatedly without degrading their integrity, which means it doesn’t compromise quality or beauty to make sustainable jewelry.
Solitude
Solitude makes jewelry from real & recycled 14K gold and 925 silver. They have consciously chosen to ditch gold-plated jewelry, because it will wear off eventually and the color will inevitably fade, causing the piece of jewelry to end up in the back of your drawer.
All items are locally made by the team of sisters in Amsterdam.
Their recycled raw materials come from a Dutch supplier who purchases the metals in Germany and Italy. The ultimate goal is to be completely circular: only and solely using ‘old’ gold and silver jewelry of their customers to make beautiful new pieces of jewelry.
As customers provide more gold or silver than needed for their own new jewelry, it might be possible in the future to be a completely independent, transparent and circular business.
Ellie Air
Ellie Air is a Fairmined Gold licensee, their licence number is GB30041. They have a policy to ensure all precious metals used in their jewelry are either certified recycled, Fairtrade or Fairmined.
This policy means that they buy Fairmined and Fairtrade gold, using it within the studio and within all pieces so that they can create and prove that your jewelry has been made in a fully transparent, traceable way.
At the beginning of 2021 Ellie Air become a B Corporation. The Fair Luxury Pledge is a pledge that individuals and businesses in the jewelry industry can take to improve their ethics and solidify their responsibilities.
Nyrelle
Nyrelle makes fine jewelry that makes you feel as good as it looks. Their three core values drive them to find the best materials and to only work with partners that provide their employees with safe and fair working conditions.
They are now working with mines with ethical practices and have taken action to own factories and small scale mining operations.
Their expert goldsmiths follow the highest standards in fine jewelry making. Nyrelle only works with traceable natural gems and KP-certified conflict-free diamonds. Nyrelle cuts out the middlemen to sell directly to you.
Maren Jewelry
Maren Jewelry enables luxury that is in harmony with nature. To guarantee this, they use only recycled precious metals and synthetic eco-diamonds in the timeless and minimal designed jewelry.
Maren is therefore the first German jewelry brand certified B Corporation, which distinguishes us as a company with the highest social and environmental standards.
They have been recognized by the German Design Award 2022 for outstanding design quality in the Category Excellent Product Design – Eco Design.
