What makes an engagement ring ethical?

Ethical rings, on the other hand, often come from suppliers adhering to fair trade principles, ensuring safe working conditions and fair pay, and investing in community development .

Is it safe to order an engagement ring from Etsy?

Though Etsy works hard to vet its sellers and keep everything above board, it still pays to do your due diligence —just as you would if shopping for an engagement ring at a more traditional jeweler.

Does Etsy sell engagement rings?

Etsy is a trusted source for beautiful, heirloom-worthy engagement rings created by real people with real passion for their work.

How to tell if a diamond is ethical?

Check for the Kimberley Process Certification At the barest minimum, look for Kimberley Process-certified diamonds. The Kimberley Process is the most widely accepted method of avoiding conflict diamonds. It guarantees that a stone is free of conflict, from mining to sale.

What to avoid in engagement rings?

By avoiding gemstones that are too soft and brittle , opting for durable and ethically sourced metals, and selecting designs that balance individuality with longevity, you can ensure that your engagement ring stands the test of time.

How much do you usually get from selling an engagement ring?

While the factors above all influence the resale price of an engagement ring, in general you can expect to get 20-45% of the original retail price . If you sell your ring to a jeweler, this number will be affected by their markup. Larger stores will likely have a higher markup than your local independent jeweler.

What is the rule for buying an engagement ring?

"There is a long-standing cultural tradition of spending two to three months' salary on an engagement ring. However, there is no unanimous rule as to how much one should spend on an engagement ring only , and this myth only adds unnecessary pressure," explains Kayel.

Are diamonds on Etsy legit?

Etsy may be a great site to find a cute jewelry box or a comfy linen apron, but they are not a good option when purchasing an engagement ring . You are better off working with a reputable online retailer like Blue Nile or James Allen. James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales.

What is the ethics of engagement?

Engagement Ethic Engagement as a “harmony morality” is about love/care/attachment, enhancement, and elevation . The engagement ethic embraces the notions of worship and community feeling. Engagement is “here and now,” it is experiencing full presence in the flow of life, connecting to others in the moment.

What is the ethical issue with diamonds?

Environmental Damage: The environmental effects of diamond mining include deforestation and habitat destruction. Lack of Transparency : However the complexity of a diamond supply chain may make it impossible for customers to trace the origin of their diamonds, and thus to be sure that they are ethical diamonds.

What does ethically sourced mean for diamonds?

An ethically sourced diamond comes from a mine that is in compliance with strict labor and environmental regulations . This means that child labor is not taking place, forced labor doesn't exist, workers receive fair wages and safe working conditions, and that the diamond sales aren't being used to fund violence.

Are man made diamonds more ethical?

Are lab-grown diamonds an ethical alternative? The answer to that question depends on your values and what matters to you. For us, it's a resounding no . While they provide an amazing alternative for those looking for a guilt-free diamond, they're not really doing enough to disrupt existing practices.

Zero Waste Guide to Ethical Engagement Rings

Weddings

December 6, 2016 | Kathryn Kellogg

Last Updated on December 7, 2023

This zero waste guide to ethical engagement rings will get you started on your way to a sustainable, eco-friendly wedding!

An ethical engagement ring is something that doesn’t cross a lot of people’s minds. After all, aside from the (optional) cushioned box, there’s no plastic, right? Unfortunately, the diamond trade isn’t always sustainable or fair. These sustainable engagement rings offer options for finding ethical diamond engagement rings as well as places to find alternative material rings. Plus, recommendations for fair trade companies for a selection of fair trade engagement rings!

Table of Contents

ethical engagement rings

As most of you know, I am engaged! I am so excited to start the wedding planning process.

a need for sustainable engagement rings

Mining for precious metals leaves behind toxic waste that often winds up in the ocean. Gold mines use 182,000 tons of cyanide each year to separate the gold from the stone.

This contaminates the groundwater and results in a significant loss of land.The land is stripped-mined, destroying it forever.

The cyanide poisons the groundwater, killing fish and making water undrinkable or usable for irrigation. In Indonesia, they just dump the toxic wastewater into the ocean.

You can read more about the problems with mining for precious metals here.

So, if diamonds, gems, and precious metals present problems — how can you make better choices?

a solution for ethical diamond engagement rings

Thankfully, the second-hand market is RICH with tons of options for ethical engagement rings, alternative material engagement rings, and even upcycled and recycled options!

pawn shops:

The local pawn shop is actually where my ring came from! I had never been to a pawn shop before, and it was amazing. It looked just like a jewelry store. They had so much to offer. Tons of glass counters, mirrors, and attendants to let you try anything on.

They had an awesome selection of modern engagement rings and vintage rings. I’ve always been drawn to vintage and untraditional stones, but it was nice to see a large selection of both while we shopped for our ethical engagement ring.

antique stores:

If you love vintage rings, you have to go to an antique store. They typically have a glass counter by the register where they keep both costume and real jewelry. I had more difficulty tracking down help in the antique stores we visited, but they had some very unique rings.

Lots of amazing co*cktail rings. Some of my favorites were amethyst and amber, but they were a little too fun for my taste. I like to keep things pretty simple, but they were pretty to look at.

etsy:

Etsy is a great option. They have a lot of vintage and antique jewelry, but there are also a lot of really talented artists that make rings. You can chat with the creator about the metal and gems and really get to know the process.

Getting involved is always a great way to know your consumption and make an informed choice. Being an informed consumer is the most powerful thing you can do!

eBay:

eBay has been the ideal second-hand marketplace since its emergence in the late 90s. However, I would be pretty skeptical of high-end jewelry unless it was coming from a very reliable source with great feedback.

pre-loved:

Did you know a lot of jewelry stores have a “pre-loved” section? The jewelry has been cleaned and inspected by a jeweler and is sold for around 50% off the original price. My mom has found some fabulous deals on estate jewelry in our town’s jewelry store back home.

ethical companies offering fair trade engagement rings:

If you can’t find something that you’re looking for secondhand, then look for an ethical and sustainable company. A lot of new companies even used recycled metal! I’m also really interested in these smog diamonds.

But, some of my favorite ethical companies are Fair Trade Jewellery Co., Melissa Joy Manning, Bario-Neal, and Trumpet and Horn.

They don’t just offer fair trade engagement rings, but they make some truly beautiful pieces for all budgets too.

faqs

what is the most ethical stone to use for an ethical engagement ring?

Lab grown diamonds are the most ethical stone out there. However, they’re not all created equally! It’s important to choose one grown in a lab that uses sustainable practices for a synthetic diamond that’s ethically grown.

how can you tell if a jewelry company uses ethical practices?

Look for companies that are compliant with the Kimberley Process.

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme is the process established in 2003 to prevent “conflict diamonds” from entering the mainstream rough diamond market by United Nations General Assembly Resolution 55/56 following recommendations in the Fowler Report.

You can also ask questions like, “Is this stone traceable?”, “Where was this gem mined?” etc. to gather information about the mines. Most fair trade and ethical companies advertise their practices and are happy to ask questions about them. Be wary of companies who cannot give you details about the practices of their sources!

Have you ever bought vintage or second-hand jewelry? Do you have any favorite ethical companies?

Zero Waste Guide to Ethical Engagement Rings - Going Zero Waste (2024)