Putting an (Ethical) Ring on It

When Beyoncé told dudes the world over that they should have put a ring on it, she didn’t specify what kind, but knowing Bey, I bet she’d suggest getting one that’s conflict-free and environmentally conscious. Whether you’re looking for a ring that will signify your betrothal, buying a fancy bauble for yourself, or simply dropping hints to a loved one about what you might want for V-day, feeling good about what a ring represents is just as important as the cut, the setting, and the size. From conflict-free diamonds to non-traditional stones and vintage pieces, there are a number of ways to score a high-end ring you can be proud to rock.

KristinCoffin

An one carat emerald cut white sapphire with gold twig band.

In order to understand why you’d want an ethically sourced ring, it’s important to know the potential consequences that come from choosing one that isn’t. According to the New York Times, conflict diamonds “refer to gems that have been used by rebel groups to pay for wars that have killed and displaced millions of people in Africa, the source of an estimated 65 percent of the world’s diamonds.” In 2007, Amnesty International estimated that 3.7 million people had died as the result of conflicts fueled by diamonds. And though a set of tracking regulations known as the Kimberly Process was implemented in 2003, an outdated definition of “conflict” has rendered its effects unreliable according to the lobby group Global Witness. In a 2012 New York Times article, the group asserted that, “consumers could still not be sure where their diamonds came from, or whether they were financing armed violence or abusive regimes.”

VKDesignsJewelry

Rose cut Moissanite set in 100% recycled 14k yellow gold.

onegarnetgirl

mcfarlanddesigns

4.5 mm faceted Moissanite set in a 14k gold scroll setting.

kateszabone

Lavender diamond bezel set in a white gold octagonal setting topped with a brilliant trillion cut sapphire.

GoldAdore

Diamond and platinum ring from 1893.

Avoiding new materials altogether is another route ring-shoppers with ethical and environmental concerns can take. Buying a vintage piece is “reusing and recycling in its simplest form,” says Erin of Addy’s Vintage who has a gorgeous collection of old-European-cut diamonds and Art Deco styles. Gold Adore’s Gillian Griffiths agrees: “No new resources are expended and no new chemicals are added to our environment.” Plus, she says, vintage diamonds are guaranteed to be conflict-free since the practice of using diamond wealth to fund wars began in the early 1990s.

Addy’s Vintage

Old European cut diamond in an iridium platinum setting, ca. 1910-1920.

Buying vintage has appeal outside of simple ethics as well. “It’s like buying a beautiful snapshot from a specific time period,” says Somewhere in Time’s Kathryn. “Each ring has its own personality and uniqueness.”

Somewhere In Time Fine Jewelry

Antique Etruscan Revival ring set with diamond and seed pearls.

The advantages of buying an ethical, eco-conscious ring can hold even more weight when a wedding is involved. “Marriage is about lasting love, happiness, dedication, and problem-solving,” says Coffin. “What better way to show your commitment than through rings which exemplify a sustainable and loving future?”

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