Nontoxic Jewelry: Sustainable Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands

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When we think of nontoxic lifestyle, we don’t often think of things like jewelry. But even for people who don’t wear a lot of jewelry, wedding bands and engagement rings are still a must. That said, you can make jewelry choices that are better for the planet and the people by choosing sustainable engagement and wedding rings, as well as other responsible choices in jewely. Let’s explore why this is so important.

Are Diamonds Controversial?

For as long as I can remember, the diamond industry has been marred by global conflicts and human rights problems. Is it still an issue? You would think in this day and age, we’d moved past the horrors of what is known as blood diamonds. These diamonds are mined by groups that seek to undermine the government in power. Profit go towards funding their war efforts and attempted coups. Because many innocent civilians are often harmed in these conflicts, the name is apt.

 

The diamond industry also has its share of human rights violations, most commonly child labor. According to Reuters, during the lockdowns of 2020, children in the Central African Republic (CAR) didn’t stay home but instead, headed out to work the diamond mines.Child labor is illegal in CAR but that didn’t stop it from escalating. In this period, child labor increased by 50%.

Unfortunately, this undermines the beauty of the those lifelong wedding bands and engagement rings. However, you can make a different choice by selecting sustainable engagement rings, wedding bands, and jewelry.

What is Sustainable Jewelry?

Sustainable jewelry is simply jewelry that first does no harm. That means partly either sourcing diamonds from conflict-free countries that do not employ illegal (or legal) child labor. It also means embracing options that are better for the planet.

Fortunately, you have several options you can choose from.

Ethically Sourced Diamonds

If you’re looking to buy select a sustainable engagement ring or other diamond jewelry, your first option is to choose ethically sourced and mined diamonds. The most common popular method today for removing blood or conflict diamonds from the supply chain is the Kimberley Process. KP cerftication terms include:

• Transparent practices
• Import/export regulations
• Limit associations to partners who are also KP certified
• Certify shipments as conflict-free

It’s not perfect, but KP is a good start. Already, they’ve been dealing with fake KP certifications, so be careful when choosing!

If you’re still not comfortable, technology has provided another source for sustianable engagement ring diamonds.

Lab Grown Diamonds

A new trend gaining traction in the industry are lab grown diamonds. These are created just like mined diamonds, which formed under pressure back when the earth was young and hot. Pressure and heat also create lab-grown diamonds. Both require a “seed,” that is a sliver of a mined diamond. Using a machine or a chamber, the seed is exposed to extreme heat and pressure. As gas sticks to the seed, the diamond is literally grown one atom at a time.

While it is a machine process, and you may want to consider the carbon footprint of this process, I think it is superior to the risk of child slave labor or conflict diamonds.

But a beautiful needs a beautiful setting, especially if you want an engagement ring that’s sustainable as well as stunning. And that’s where recycled gold comes in.

Recycled Gold

What is recycled gold? It’s the practice of taking existing gold and purifying it to remove impurities. In other words, it’s gold. While some may scoff, it likely has a better carbon footprint than mined gold and is often more affordable.

Some people think recycled gold has less quality than mined gold, but it’s really the same. As long as the process remove all the impurities, it’s just as good as the original type.

When it comes to making smarter choices is your fine jewelry, sustainability is an ideal option.

What’s Next When Buying Sustainable Jewelry?

So, if you’re planning on marrying, what is your next step in buying a wedding band and engagement ring that is ecofriendly? First and foremost, set your budget. Economies continue to be unstable so you want to make sure that you don’t go into great debt with these purchases.

But that said, this is a purchase for life. You want it to be just right. If you’re making a purchase for your future fiance, you want to make sure that that the style meets her style. What shape diamond would she like? Does she want gold, platinum, or something else. If she has a nickel allergy, you may want to avoid platinum. How much is she into fashion trends? Is her style simple?

If you’re purchasing wedding bands, they don’t have to match perfectly or at all. If you have different styles, you can make unique style match by having choosing the same type of gold. Choose whether or not you’ll have precious gems in your bands, too.

Next, find a jeweler that offers sustainable options, including recycled gold, KP process, and lab grown diamonds. Look for an affordable options and holiday sales. Examine the website to make sure they meet all standards.

Purchasing lifelong jewelry like wedding bands and engagement rings that are environmentally sound is not difficult. These options are not lower quality but show that you care about the things that really matter, just like your love for your partner.