A list of vintage, sustainable engagement rings, and ethical engagement rings that will have you saying I do.
28 Best Sustainable & Ethical Engagement Rings to Love Forever
Selecting an engagement ring is no small task: you’re not only shopping for an accessory you’ll wear every day but one that functions as an embodiment of your personal style. Shopping for an ethical or sustainable engagement ring is even harder. There’s your budget to consider, along with decisions about the types of stones, styles, and metals you prefer—to say nothing of the anxiety that generally accompanies a life-altering decision.
Yet somehow, despite the thoughtfulness with which most people approach this momentous purchase, the process of selecting an ethically and sustainably made engagement ring can feel frustratingly opaque for consumers. It’s been well-documented that diamond harvesting has long been a source of geopolitical conflict, and that the mining of precious metals has taken a serious toll on the environment. Not only has the mining industry caused widespread deforestation, soil erosion, and displacement of local communities, but miners themselves are also frequently denied fair wages and adequate health and safety provisions. But more often than not, it falls on the consumer to do their research about a brand’s supply chain—information that many of us don’t always know how to ask for or interpret.
What to Ask
“‘Ethically sourced’ and ‘sustainable’ are such buzzwords today that many companies claim, but don’t necessarily have the credentials,” says Octavia Zamagias, who founded her label Octavia Elizabeth jewelry in 2016 and makes every piece by hand. “If something claims to be ‘ethically sourced’—I suggest the consumer asks what makes the company ‘ethical’ and if they have any third party or independent certificates.”
Most brands will list these certifications on their website, along with information about their supply chain and sourcing practices, but they aren’t always easy to decipher. If a jeweler cites the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KCPS) as evidence that their diamonds are conflict-free, you should keep in mind that the system isn’t foolproof: diamonds produced in conflict zones can be smuggled into KCPS certified areas and, due to the narrow terms of its focus, the process also overlooks issues around worker exploitation like the use of child labor and fair pay.
“The suppliers we work with are United Nations fair trade approved and they are usually members of the Responsible Jewelry Council,” says Zamagias. The Responsible Jewelry Council, or the RJC, is a non-profit certification organization founded in 2005 and covers the entire jewelry and watch supply chain—addressing human rights, labor rights, environmental impact, mining practices, product disclosure, and more. But even this, critics say, is not moving the industry forward quickly enough.
Ultimately, the best way to find out whether your ring is ethically and sustainably created is to reach out directly to the jeweler with detailed questions. Ask about the sourcing of the stone and the suppliers they work with, whether the piece has been created using conflict-free and sustainably mined materials, and if the metals are fair trade certified or recycled. Brands that go out of their way to ensure their products are ethically and sustainably produced will happily share additional information.
Look for Recycled Precious Metals
This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Grace Stearns
