Opting for eco-friendly jewelry reflects the level of awareness that consumers have these days and their interest in buying environmentally friendly products to protect the environment and maintain its sustainability for the coming generations. Diamonds are also part of this awareness, especially since retailers offer lab-grown and natural diamonds, allowing consumers to choose between them and pick the right type of diamond that suits their ethical concern for the environment and the budget they can afford. In this article, we help you choose an eco-friendly engagement ring through our tips and knowledge.
What is an Eco-Friendly Engagement Ring?
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An eco-friendly engagement ring is made from ethically sourced and recycled materials. For eco-friendly or sustainable diamonds this refers to the process by which a diamond is created; a sustainable diamond is created in a lab using environmentally sound methods.
So, when you buy a lab-grown diamond or engagement ring, you buy an eco-friendly engagement ring. This reflects your concern for the environment and the practices used in creating, shaping, and resizing diamonds.
Sustainable engagement rings or diamonds aren’t less glamorous than natural diamonds. In fact, they hold the same aesthetic as natural diamonds and can be shaped easily, matching consumer preferences, budget, and ethical concerns.
Sustainable Diamonds
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Sustainable diamonds are created with a prioritization of ethical mining and a concern for the environment. They can be mined naturally or grown in labs as long as they follow the characteristics of ethically created diamonds which include the methods and practices by which diamonds are created.
Natural diamonds are mined in a way that considers the health and well-being of the workers who mine the diamonds and the environment’s safety and sustainability.
Lab-grown diamonds are created in labs where there is no need for traditional mining as their creation follows strict and clear procedures that are harmless to the environment and workers.
If you are interested in buying a new engagement ring that is ethical and sustainable, then you can choose from any of the two mentioned types, as long as the ring is indeed environmentally friendly. By following our tips on buying an eco-friendly engagement ring, you can rest assured that you follow sustainability guidelines and efforts while wearing a diamond that reflects your preference and love story.
What Makes an Engagement Ring Eco-Friendly?
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Several characteristics or features distinguish eco-friendly engagement rings, specifically those that have diamonds as a central stone. When you are looking for an eco-friendly engagement ring in stores or online, it is important to be aware of the main characteristics, so you can choose a high-quality diamond with great value and affordable price.
Sustainable diamond engagement rings are made with several concerns in mind, including concerns for the environment, human rights, and the global economy.
When it comes to the impacts of eco friendly diamonds on the environment, ethical and sustainable diamonds are mined without harming natural habitats, polluting water resources like rivers and seas, and ruining entire ecosystems.
Regarding human rights, sustainable diamonds are made in a process that strictly considers the needs and well-being of workers in this industry. If the workers are abused, overworked, and subject to danger, then their safety is jeopardized. This means that the diamonds they source are not ethical, so it’s best to avoid supporting companies that don’t abide by human rights laws and put their workers under harm for the sake of mining diamonds.
Child labor and forced labor are two historic examples of violating human rights in the diamond industry. An ethical diamond is one that is made in conflict free countries or zones, where workers are respected.
Here are the main characteristics of eco-friendly engagement rings:
- They are created using recycled or ethically sourced materials and metals which minimizes the need for mining
- Eco-friendly diamonds are made in labs contrary to traditionally mined diamonds
- They should come from sources that do not fund armed conflict
- Sustainable engagement rings are made through ethical labor practices that prioritize fair wages and working conditions
- They are packaged using recycled materials that don’t harm the environment
How To Choose An Eco-Friendly Engagement Ring
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Environmentally friendly engagement rings aren’t just about the gemstone that centralizes them. They are also about the materials that are used in the setting of the ring, specifically the metals used in creating it, such as platinum, white gold, silver, titanium, and much more.
So, when buying a new engagement ring and searching between the numerous options in the market, keep in mind two things: the creation of the diamond or gemstone and the material of the ring’s band or setting.
When you visit a store like James Allen or Blue Nile, you must know more about the history of their diamonds and how they are created. You can figure out the information you need to know by asking the workers in jewelry retailers or by doing your online research before buying from a store that sells eco-friendly diamonds. A piece of advice we like to give is to check the reviews and feedback of previous customers who bought from this store.
First: Define Your Preferences
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When opting for an environmentally friendly engagement ring, it is important to know your taste and preferred style. Some people prefer wearing a vintage ring which is considered to be one of the best choices for those seeking to buy a diamond engagement ring because they were made several years back and can still be worn without requiring further adjustments or materials.
Be sure that whatever your preference is, you will find it in stores that sell sustainable engagement rings and ethical diamonds. Check our 6 tips before buying an engagement ring to arm yourself with all the knowledge you need.
Second: Check Jewelry Stores that Sell Eco-Friendly Engagement Rings
After you set your preferences right, it is time to visit the stores that sell ethical diamonds or rings that follow the right standards of diamond mining and sourcing.
We like to recommend checking out James Allen’s lab-grown diamonds which offer a various selection of shapes and colors for you to navigate through.
Another option is the lab-created diamonds by Blue Nile. Many customers find their preferences at this store while being environmentally friendly.
Brands Specializing in Eco-Friendly Rings
An engagement ring is a symbol of love crowning the story of a beautiful couple, so shopping for the perfect engagement ring is a serious process, especially if you decide to buy an eco-friendly engagement ring that follows the right practices of sourcing diamonds.
We want to save you the effort of searching for a diamond store that sells sustainable diamonds and rings. Here are the top stores for buying an ethical diamond and engagement ring:
James Allen
James Allen is a reputable brand that sells eco-friendly engagement rings sourced ethically and created in a way that matches diamonds sourced traditionally. It is an excellent choice for those seeking to buy a sustainable engagement ring with high-quality features in terms of cut, clarity, carat, and color.
To help you find the best sustainable diamond ring, we gathered these gorgeous choices from James Allen’s store. Additionally, our James Allen review gives you all the ins and outs of this store.
Check them out for inspiration and to find your dream ring:
Sustainable Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring
This beautiful prong knife-edged solitaire diamond ring by James Allen is a perfect choice for those seeking an eco-friendly engagement ring that is both elegant and classy.
Halo Diamond Engagement Ring
Alt text: halo diamond engagement ring from James Allen
When searching for a fun and elegant ring, this stunning halo and shank engagement ring comes to mind immediately. Its round center and square corners are special!
Eco-Friendly Vintage Diamond Ring
Alt text: an eco friendly vintage diamond ring from James Allen
We added this vintage twisted pave leaf diamond ring to our list because it is timeless and beautiful for those looking to buy a sustainable diamond ring with glamour.
Blue Nile
Blue Nile is another jewelry company that is committed to responsible diamond mining and sourcing which means that it sells sustainable diamonds and eco-friendly engagement rings. This assures you that it is a great choice for buying a new ring from a reputable store that follows diamond sustainability measures and ethical diamond sourcing. In addition to that, Blue Nile’s lab-grown diamonds are available in all shapes, colors, and styles, allowing you to buy diamonds responsibly and wear your ring elegantly.
We encourage you to check out our review on Blue Nile as it will help you delve deeper into this store’s history and guidelines.
Below, you will find some of the best diamond engagement rings from Blue Nile, so take a look and choose the ring that speaks to your heart the most:
Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring
Alt text: solitaire diamond engagement ring from Blue Nile
One of the features that distinguish this solitaire pave diamond ring is the central stone in the middle and the smaller diamonds on the setting, giving it a chic and stylish look.
Round Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Alt text: A round cut diamond engagement ring from Blue Nile
When you search for diamonds by shape, you must come across the round cut diamond rings by Blue Nile because the round cut is one of the most famous diamond shapes worldwide.
Pear Shaped Diamond Engagement Rings
Alt text: A pear shaped diamond engagement ring from Blue Nile
Another fun and famous diamond shape is the pear cut which is chosen by brides or ladies who prefer wearing a stylish modern ring, reflecting their outgoing and loving personality. Blue Nile’s pear shaped diamond rings steal the heart for their beauty and class.
Ritani
If you are wondering whether Ritani sells eco-friendly engagement rings or not, then we are glad to tell you that this is a reputable store that sells sustainable diamonds and ethically sourced gemstones under their diamonds lineup Ritani Reserve.
If you are searching for a ring for your partner or yourself, then Ritani is another store that we ecnourage you to check out. They offer a vast selection of dimaond engagement rings of all cuts and styles, from vintage and traditional like the round cut rings to modern and unconventional like the emerald cut rings.
Ritani’s lab-grown diamonds are ethical and sustainable options for couples who aim to buy a new ring from a store that follows safe diamond sourcing guidelines strictly.
FAQs
1. What are ethical engagement rings?
Ethical engagement rings are made from materials or metals that were sourced in a safe way that didn’t harm the environment, the workers’ human rights, or the economy. As they were sourced and created ethically, they are considered to be environmentally friendly.
2. How to find an ethical engagement ring?
By checking out jewelry stores that sell ethical engagement rings, such as Blue Nile, James Allen, and Ritani. You can check them out online or visit their store locations. Ask for more details on the creation process of diamonds if you’re unsure and you can choose from natural or lab-grown diamonds.
We provided you with all the information you need before buying an eco friendly engagement ring from reputable jewelry stores. Support the environment by wearing ethical and sustainable engagement rings that weren’t made in a harmful way or by violating human rights, specifically child labor or forced labor.
