Tree Hugging Family - Living Green

Eco-Wedding Ring Options

by Jennifer on May 8th, 2008

Many wedding rings are not very eco-friendly. There are eco-issues with diamond trade, no matter if it’s “conflict free” or not (see below). There are also major problems that occur with gold mining.

If you’re looking for a greener wedding ring or commitment ring, you’ve got some different options.

Hit the streets: Used is your best bet and many higher end antique stores carry beautiful vintage rings. The negatives are that the rings you find still may be made with questionable materials, and the search can take longer. Plus mens rings in a style you like may be harder to come by.

Use what you have: If you have jewelry that is significant to you, i.e your grandmothers bracelet or necklace, it can be melted down into a ring in most cases. Of course it depends on the material and size. Talk to a local jeweler to learn more. Along the same lines, a ring passed down through generations is a good green choice.

Wooden rings: Wooden bands made with sustainable, reclaimed, or recycled wood is a great choice so far as beauty goes. Some are made with silver, some not, but I really like the look of many I’ve seen. Negatives are learning to care for them specially (not that tough) and also, I’ve heard that if a wooden ring breaks, it can be impossible to fix. Not sure if it’s true, but something to ask the designer about.

Touch Wood Rings - very beautiful custom work

[Koa and Spruce wood rings from Touch Wood Rings]

Coconut rings (sort of wood, actually more a nut) from Coco Loco

Rob & Lean - beautiful wooden rings and more

Recycled and / or ethically made jewelry: You’ll need a recycled and or ethical-minded shop for this sort of purchase. Following are some good ones.

GreenKarat - the current big name in ethical jewelry - the do have beautiful rings and are probably the number one most ethical place to shop for a more traditional looking wedding ring. They note, “We do not handle freshly mined diamonds at all, preferring instead to use synthetic stones. We will, however, use recycled diamonds upon request.”

The rings above are Canary, Uncaged, Precious Stone, and Gatsby Redux from GreenKarat.

Sumiche - Certified Fair Trade/Eco-Gold and Platinum and 100% recycled Gold and Platinum rings

Earthwise Jewelry Collection from Leber Jeweler Inc - uses gold and platinum processed from reclaimed sources in an environmentally sensitive manner.

A little more about diamonds:

A couple ethical jewelry stores (even some of the ones above) do use diamonds, “conflict free diamonds” but still use them. However, if your heart is dead set on a diamond, even a conflict free diamond, you should read the following:

• There Are No Clean Diamonds: What You Need to Know About Canadian Diamonds
• There are no conflict free diamonds
• Diamonds: No One’s Best Friend?

It’s actually impossible to own a conflict free diamond. Diamonds involve human suffering issues (as we’ve all by now heard). Most diamonds that are “conflict free” have zero proof of their non-conflicts, and there are always eco-issues that come up due to mining. Your diamond will conflict with something.

Try to realign your thinking. A sparkling diamond does not equal love, or a happiness guarantee of some sort. Honestly, only random tradition, and an early monopoly of the diamond industry dictates that diamonds are the wedding jewel of choice. They aren’t even rare, they’re everywhere; you might go with something more unique. Do you really need one? Really? If so, just be sure you know the cost to the environment, even conflict free are not so conflict free.

Coming up more green wedding know-how including jewelry you don’t wear on your finger.

Click here to learn about all the current contests, themes, and green challenges going on at Tree Hugging Family in May 2008

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