On your wedding day, the last thing you want is to feel guilty about the environmental impact of your engagement and wedding rings. Fortunately, there are sustainable options available that are just as ethical as they are beautiful.
To help you make an informed decision, Sustainable Jungle has independently researched and tested various brands to find the best ethical wedding rings. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to sustainable wedding rings, including brand recommendations and information on their ethical practices.
Jump On The Bandwagon Of The Best Sustainable Wedding Bands
Sustainable wedding bands are becoming increasingly popular among couples who want their special day to reflect their values. From vintage to unique, antique to luxury, and timeless to custom rings, there are a variety of sustainable options to choose from. Here are some of the best sustainable wedding bands to consider:
1. Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth is a leading brand in the sustainable wedding band industry. Their Beyond Conflict Free™ diamonds exceed industry standards, and they use recycled metal and lab-grown diamonds to ensure ethical standards are met. They have sustainable men’s wedding rings in unique designs, like the Magnus, and their women’s range includes stunningly simple designs, like the Lunette Diamond Ring. Brilliant Earth sources its diamonds and gemstones from around the globe and promotes higher sourcing standards to transform dangerous diamond mining communities and encourage responsible practices.
2. Mejuri
Mejuri offers some of the highest-quality ethical gold wedding rings while remaining affordable. Their recycled wedding bands and engagement rings are made of 95% recycled materials and 5% freshly mined gold, reducing their carbon footprint. Mejuri utilizes conflict-free diamonds from trusted partners who are Kimberley Process compliant. They work with suppliers across the globe and claim to be working towards a fully traceable supply chain. Mejuri is committed to becoming carbon-neutral by 2030 through restoration and conservation projects along their supply chain.
3. Clean Origin
Clean Origin uses the latest technology to craft lab-created diamonds that have the same quality and are cut of genuine natural diamonds at a fraction of the price. They offer various ethical wedding rings for women and men, using recycled precious metals and lab-grown diamonds. Clean Origin’s diamond growing labs utilize some of the best carbon offset programs to minimize impact further. All precious metals are certified recycled by the Responsible Jewellery Council.
4. Catbird
Catbird offers a range of sustainable wedding bands, including their signature hammered gold bands and diamond eternity bands. They use recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds in their designs. Catbird is committed to ethical and sustainable practices, including the use of traceable gemstones and fair working conditions.
5. Nyrelle
Nyrelle makes its sustainable wedding rings shimmer by using certified gold, traceable gemstones, and fair working conditions. Their rings are made from recycled metals and conflict-free diamonds. Nyrelle is committed to promoting sustainable practices and higher sourcing standards.
6. Origin Handcrafted
Origin Handcrafted offers a range of sustainable wedding bands, including their signature hammered gold bands and diamond eternity bands. They use recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds in their designs. Origin Handcrafted is committed to ethical and sustainable practices, including the use of traceable gemstones and fair working conditions.
7. Holden
Holden offers a range of sustainable wedding bands, including their signature hammered gold bands and diamond eternity bands. They use recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds in their designs. Holden is committed to ethical and sustainable practices, including the use of traceable gemstones and fair working conditions.
8. VRAI
VRAI offers a range of sustainable wedding bands, including their signature hammered gold bands and diamond eternity bands. They use recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds in their designs. VRAI is committed to ethical and sustainable practices, including the use of traceable gemstones and fair working conditions.
9. Bario Neal
Bario Neal offers a range of sustainable wedding bands, including their signature hammered gold bands and diamond eternity bands. They use recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds in their designs. Bario Neal is committed to ethical and sustainable practices, including the use of traceable gemstones and fair working conditions.
10. Erica Weiner
Erica Weiner offers a range of sustainable wedding bands, including their signature hammered gold bands and diamond eternity bands. They use recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds in their designs. Erica Weiner is committed to ethical and sustainable practices, including the use of traceable gemstones and fair working conditions.
11. Melissa Joy Manning
Melissa Joy Manning offers a range of sustainable wedding bands, including their signature hammered gold bands and diamond eternity bands. They use recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds in their designs. Melissa Joy Manning is committed to ethical and sustainable practices, including the use of traceable gemstones and fair working conditions.
When choosing a sustainable wedding band, it’s important to consider the materials used, the brand’s supply chain and labor practices, their carbon commitments and green practices, and their community and charitable giving efforts. By choosing a sustainable wedding band, couples can celebrate their love while also making a positive impact on the environment and society.
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How We Found The Best Eco-Friendly Wedding Rings
When it comes to finding sustainable wedding rings, the process can be overwhelming. With so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start. To simplify the process, the team used a combination of sustainable fashion and sustainable jewelry criteria to find the best eco-friendly wedding rings.
Materials
The most ethical ring materials are recycled metals and stones. Not only do they minimize environmental impact, but they also do not encourage further mining. Lab-grown diamonds are also a great option as they are conflict-free and have a smaller carbon footprint than mined diamonds.
Organic wedding bands and wooden earthy wedding rings are not yet common, but some brands have figured out epoxy injection methods to make these a more viable option.
Supply Chain & Labor Practices
It’s crucial to consider the supply chain and labor practices behind the sparkle. Conscious jewelry brands should be responsible for health care and benefits, fair pay, support for ASM communities, and safe working conditions. If mined diamonds are used, it’s especially important since the diamond industry is notorious for abuses.
Brands making meaningful efforts towards transparent supply chains, ethical labor standards, and traceability back to source mines are preferred.
Certifications
Certifications such as Kimberley Process, No Dirty Gold, International Gemological Institute (IGI), Gem Certification and Assurance Lab, American Gem Trade Association, Council of Fashion Designers for America (CFDA), B Corporation (B Corp), Fairmined, Fair Trade, and Responsible Minerals Initiative’s Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (RMAP) are important indicators of a brand’s commitment to ethical practices.
Carbon Commitments & Green Practices
Carbon-neutral brands and materials, water recycling, compostable or reusable packaging, and other impact management strategies are prioritized. Ethical jewelry should also utilize mercury-free mining methods.
Community & Charitable Giving
Selecting a fine jewelry brand that contributes to local and global communities through donations and projects supporting mining communities can spread joy on your celebratory day.
Overall, finding the best eco-friendly wedding rings involves considering the materials, supply chain and labor practices, certifications, carbon commitments and green practices, and community and charitable giving of each brand. By prioritizing sustainability and ethical practices, couples can have peace of mind knowing that their wedding rings have a positive impact on both people and the planet.
Final Thoughts On Environmentally Friendly Wedding Rings
Choosing an environmentally friendly wedding ring is a wonderful way to celebrate your love while also being mindful of the impact on the planet. With a growing demand for sustainable and ethical jewelry, there are now many options available for couples who want to make a positive impact.
From local and sustainable wedding rings made from recycled metals to eco-friendly wedding bands with a lifetime warranty, there are plenty of choices to suit every taste and budget. Ethical wedding bands are not only beautiful but also a meaningful symbol of commitment to a better future.
By choosing a sustainable engagement ring or wedding band, you can support companies that prioritize ethical and eco-friendly practices, including those that are made in the USA. So, if you are planning your wedding or know someone who is, consider choosing one of these sustainable wedding rings to make a difference and celebrate your love in a meaningful way.
