Finding Perfect Accent Pieces

How To Find An Eco-Friendly Engagement Ring

27 March 2015

Howard Jones

As concerns about the environment increase, many consumers are turning to eco-friendly goods to lessen their carbon footprint on the earth. The green movement has also reached the jewelry industry, as consumers search for earth sensitive alternatives to traditional diamond engagement rings. Many diamonds are sourced unethically, under terrible working conditions for the miners. In addition to horrible working conditions, diamond mining is hard on the landscape where the diamonds are extracted, leaving toxic chemicals behind. Fortunately, there are safer and more environmentally friendly options available.

Fair Trade Diamonds

Fair trade diamonds are certified by Fair Trade International, to be ethically sourced. The miners are paid fair wages and have healthy working conditions. Buying fair trade contributes to the local economy in developing countries. Fair Trade mines are also held to stricter environmental regulations. Any sort of diamond mining is hard on the area that the diamonds are extracted from. Fair trade mines aim to make the environmental footprint as small as possible.

More and more fine jewelers are carrying lines of fair trade certified diamonds. There are also several online retailers that specialize in fair trade diamond jewelry.

Laboratory Diamonds

Laboratory diamonds are artificially created in a lab, using the same substance that geographically made diamonds consist of, which is carbon. Lab diamonds are "real" diamonds, only manufactured in a sped up process that is similar to what happens in the earth to create naturally occurring diamonds. Lab diamonds are more likely to be perfect than natural diamonds, because the entire process is controlled from start to finish.

Lab created diamonds can also be made in a wide array of colors, such as yellows, pinks, and browns, that are rare when found in nature.

Laboratory diamonds can be found in most fine jewelry stores.  

Antique and Vintage Diamond Rings

Buying an antique or vintage engagement ring is the most environmentally friendly way to purchase a diamond ring. You are recycling a product that already exists, that is much more unique than any modern made engagement ring.

Some fine jewelry stores (such as B And A Jewelers) carry a selection of antique and estate jewelry. You may also want to explore upscale vintage and antique stores. There are also many online retailers that specialize in vintage engagement rings from every historical era.

These are your best options for finding an engagement ring that you can feel good about. Don't settle for a diamond ring that doesn't echo the eco-friendly lifestyle that you and your fiance have embraced.

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