There’s so much to think about when choosing an engagement ring. How much should you spend? Will your partner still love the aesthetic in 20 years? Should the diamond be a little bigger? Today, a growing number of couples are also asking another question: Is the engagement ring ethically produced? Mindful consumerism has been shaping the fine jewellery landscape for the past decade, encouraging jewellers to design sustainable engagement rings with environmentally friendly and conflict-free materials.
As consumers, we know that the things we buy can impact the environment and the people involved in their production. This knowledge has influenced how we purchase many things, from cars to cleaning products. Engagement rings are no different.
Traditional mining techniques for diamonds and other gemstones and precious metals such as gold have led to deforestation and the loss of wildlife habitats, the pollution of both water and soil, soil erosion, and the emission of damaging greenhouse gases. Although mining companies are now required to adhere to less impactful techniques, damage still occurs. Environmentally friendly engagement rings use materials that leave a lighter footprint on the environment because they offer an alternative to the more destructive mining practices.
Sustainable engagement rings also have an ethical side because jewellers often select Fairtrade and Fairmined materials that support safe and fair working environments for those who mine them.
By choosing a sustainable ring, you not only get to wear a piece of jewellery that aligns with your environmental and ethical standpoint, but you also help the jewellery industry put pressure on mining companies to mine ethically, which is the best route to lasting change in this industry.
Jewellers can make their engagement rings sustainable in several ways, from choosing alternatives to naturally mined diamonds to using recycled metals in the bands.
Lab-grown diamonds
Natural diamonds, created billions of years ago and mined from volcanic rocks called kimberlites, are the most popular stone for engagement rings. However, many scandals have threatened to dull the dazzle of these elegant stones, leaving consumers questioning whether a natural diamond is right for them. Lab-grown diamonds are a popular alternative in sustainable wedding rings because they offer an identical aesthetic, yet their creation has far less environmental impact.
Conflict free diamonds
A number of steps have been taken to combat unethical practices in diamond mining, but with so many mines functioning in war-torn countries, it can be difficult for the consumer to feel assured that their diamond purchase isn’t contributing to the issue. It will help you to know that over 80 countries opted into the Kimberley Process, which allows for the international free flow of diamonds that are mined ethically and conflict-free. There is a certification scheme that confirms such diamonds were mined without any criminal associations.
Diamond alternatives
If the controversy around natural diamonds has left a sour taste in your mouth, you may prefer to take a different path for your engagement ring. Lab-grown diamonds aren’t the only stunning stone being created artificially, with gems such as moissanite (which offers a very similar aesthetic to white diamonds), rubies, emeralds, and sapphires all being grown in laboratories. Remember, your centre stone doesn’t have to be a diamond – there are plenty of alternatives with excellent environmental credentials.
Recycled materials
Metal mining can be just as problematic as diamond mining, notably in terms of the treatment of the miners and the wider community. Recycled metals are a great way to make an engagement ring more sustainable, with gold and platinum (for example) being repurposed from vintage pieces, industrial materials, and even electronics. The chemical nature of precious metals means they can simply be melted down and reforged without losing any of their physical properties or natural beauty.
Fairtrade and Fairmined materials
We’re all very used to seeing the Fairtrade logo on our grocery items, but did you know that diamonds and gold can also be certified as Fairtrade? This ensures that the workers are given a fair wage and safe working conditions and that the mining has a positive effect on the wider community.
You can now buy environmentally conscious engagement rings crafted from Fairmined gold. For a mine’s gold to be certified as Fairmined, it must be small-scale and meet the highest industry standards in terms of environmental preservation and worker treatment and safety.
It’s worth spending some time thinking about the ethical and environmental impact of diamonds, as these still represent the lion’s share of engagement rings sold in the UK. Since the 1950s, we’ve had an enduring love affair with diamonds. They represent love, commitment, and prestige, so it was a shock for consumers to learn about the dark underbelly of the diamond industry.
Blood diamonds, which refer to the mining and sale of diamonds to fund war, terrorism, and other crimes, became big news at the turn of the century. As the spotlight was shone on the mining industry, the environmental and social impacts were exposed, too. Though improvements continue to be made, it is reassuring for the consumer to know that they have an alternative to mined diamonds.
Diamonds are formed naturally, deep within the Earth’s crust under great pressure. We can now replicate this pressure on carbon atoms under laboratory conditions. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to natural diamonds, and the only way you can tell the two apart is by the microscopic stamp that must be placed upon the base of those stones grown in a lab.
While they may have the same chemistry, properties, and appearance, lab-grown diamonds do not hold the rarity of a natural diamond. If that rarity is part of a diamond’s allure, you may prefer to opt for a recycled, natural diamond for your sustainable engagement ring. But if you’re more concerned about the look of the stone, a lab-grown diamond is a superb, environmentally friendly option.
The sustainable or environmentally friendly option is often more expensive for many products – sometimes significantly. Interestingly, when it comes to eco-friendly engagement rings, you may be able to save money on a comparable, standard ring. For example, a lab-grown diamond may be up to 40% less expensive than a mined diamond, and a diamond-alternative can also represent a notable saving. Likewise, recycled metals are cheaper, bringing down the cost of an engagement ring.
The movement toward change is what makes an ethical engagement so appealing to many. Actions bring change. If you’re a consumer who shows their preference for environmentally friendly, Fairtrade, Fairmined, conflict-free jewellery, you increase demand and encourage a shift toward these ethical and environmental standards becoming more mainstream.
No piece of jewellery you own will garner more attention or conversation than an engagement ring. When it’s admired, and you tell people that it’s a sustainable design, you start spreading awareness about the availability and benefits of sustainable rings.
Thanks to the growing popularity of lab-grown diamonds, you can purchase a more sustainable engagement ring at high-street, high-end, and independent jewellers.
Choosing a jewellery brand that specialises in lab-grown diamonds and recycled metals may offer you the most competitive prices, and these include:
If you’re a couple who wants to honour their environmental alignment with their engagement ring choice, it’s important to make sure your ring is all it claims to be. A jewellery company that monitors its carbon footprint could claim to be a sustainable brand, yet it may still use standard mined gemstones and metals. Here are our top tips for finding an engagement ring that truly is the perfect fit.
Research
Research is the best way to sniff out those jewellery brands that participate in greenwashing and those that actually offer environmentally conscious engagement rings. Check the status of the stones they use – are they mined, and if so, have they sourced from mines using modern, impact-reducing techniques that actively work to negate their impact on habitat restoration and water preservation? If they use lab-grown diamonds, are they certified?
More and more jewellers are turning to recycled metals and stones, which is excellent for the environment. However, it’s still worth checking the provenance of these metals and stones to ensure they aren’t part of the current mine supply chain.
Certification
There are a number of key certifications you can look out for to buy a sustainable engagement ring in confidence:
Maximise your budget
Choosing an ethical ring can be a great way to get more for your money. Whatever your budget, you’ll be able to afford a larger or better-quality stone by choosing a lab-grown diamond instead of a mined diamond.
It’s worth noting that Fairtrade, Fairmined, and conflict-free engagement rings can be more expensive because it costs more for mines to function to the required standards. This isn’t always the case, especially if the ring contains a lab-grown diamond or an alternative stone, but it’s worth keeping in mind. If your first forays into searching for an ethical ring throws up price tags outside your budget, refine your search. Look for engagement rings made with recycled metals and lab-grown stones rather than conflict-free or Fairtrade designs. This will keep your purchase green without breaking the bank.
The pre-loved jewellery market continues to grow, and though the end of someone else’s relationship may be unfortunate, it does allow other couples to buy a beautiful engagement ring at a reduced price and benefit the planet. Looking for pre-loved and vintage rings should be approached differently than choosing a new engagement ring. The second-hand ring doesn’t necessarily have to tick all your boxes. You could choose it just for its centre stone or just for its ornate band – then a jeweller can create a custom piece for you to make it the perfect proposal ring.
An engagement ring is one of the most important pieces of jewellery you’ll own. Keep it safe with ring insurance from TH March. Our policies start from just £60 a year and offer worldwide accidental damage, loss, and theft cover. A dedicated claims handler will support you through any claims, and we’ll always strive to send you back to your original jeweller. Get a quick quote online now, then answer a few more questions for instant cover for your environmentally friendly ring today.