A Guide to Choosing an Ethical Engagement Ring
Choosing the right engagement ring can be a daunting task, with many elements to consider; from your bride or groom-to-be’s style, ring size and metal preference to whether you’d like a bespoke ring, incorporating heirloom stones or a keepsake from nature.
Many buyer’s are also rightly considering the ethical implications of their purchase too.
When choosing an engagement ring, it's important to consider whether the ring is ethically sourced. This means that the diamonds or other gemstones used in the ring were not mined using child labour or forced labour, and that the precious metal used in the ring was not mined in an environmentally destructive way.
In this post, I’ll guide you through what an ethical engagement ring is and everything else you need to consider when choosing your perfect, ethically sourced ring.
WHAT IS AN ETHICAL ENGAGEMENT RING?
I’m passionate about making jewellery that is easy to wear and will be treasured for many years, evoking joyful memories whilst also being kind to our planet. Your engagement ring is the embodiment of something wonderful, a token of everlasting love and I believe that in using sustainable materials in the making of your ring, it provides more meaning for the wearer.
From the precious metals and stones that are used in your engagement ring, to the recycled packaging, each ring made by Alice Stewart Jewellery incorporates ethically sourced, high-quality materials designed to stand the test of time.
An ethically sourced engagement ring is a piece of jewellery that has been carefully crafted using environmentally friendly materials that have been mindfully sourced and meet a certain set of ethical standards.
It means that the gemstones, diamonds, and metals used in your ring come from conflict-free economies, have been mined or created by people benefiting from fair and safe working conditions and have had a minimal impact on the environment.
So, whilst you may have an idea of where you’re going to pop the question, I hope this blog post helps guide you through making the perfect choice of ethical engagement ring that is beautiful and mindful of both people and planet.
CHOOSING aN ETHICALLY SOURCED METAL FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT RING
There are several metals to choose from when picking an engagement ring. From what colour would be most suitable to which diamond or gemstone it would be paired with. It’s worth considering the hardness of the metals too; choose from 9ct, 14ct and 18ct white or yellow gold or platinum (which is the hardest white metal).
If you are looking for a more subtle colour 14ct is a good option, with a matt finish, or a higher shine and a brighter, richer colour can be found in 18ct. This is something I can help you with when designing your perfect engagement ring.
In addition to our standard metal selection, I can offer recycled gold and platinum and are in the process of becoming a fairtrade certified gold licensee (see below for more information).
WHAT IS FAIRTRADE GOLD
You may have seen the Fairtrade logo on certain products in your local supermarket including coffee, chocolate, and bananas, but did you know that gold can also be Fairtrade certified?
“Buying Fairtrade gold jewellery means you are supporting small-scale miners to receive a fair wage for their hard work, as well as protecting the environment and making life better for themselves and their communities. All gold is sourced from mine sites which meet the Fairtrade Gold Standard, a globally recognised marker of best practice” – Fairtrade Foundation.
This initiative really does make a difference, by setting out rigorous standards for the working environment of mines to meet whilst providing transparency and traceability of its operations. This leads to improvements in small producers’ social and economic well-being, as well as to their empowerment, and to environmental sustainability.
I support fairtrade gold as a registered member of the Goldsmiths’ Company.
WHAT IS FAIRMINED GOLD?
Fairmined is an assurance label that certifies gold from empowered, responsible artisanal and small-scale mining organisations who meet world leading standards for responsible practices. This helps to transform mining into a force for good, ensuring environmental protection.
Thanks to the Fairmined Standard, anyone who buys gold and associated precious metals can support responsibly managed community mines.
Fairmined gold can be made into all types of jewellery, and I am currently in the process of becoming a fairmined licensee.
RECYCLED GOLD JEWELLERY
I will soon be launching a new nature inspired ethical engagement ring collection made from antique diamonds, gemstones, and recycled gold.
Recycled gold refers to gold that has been recycled from existing gold objects, for example an old piece of jewellery which may have sentimental value that you’d like incorporated into your engagement ring. The ‘recycling’ process means that the gold is melted down and refined until it reaches its purest form.
This process reduces the negative impact that mining has on the environment, because no new earth is mined in its production, and it can often be a more cost-effective option.
When comparing recycled with Fairtrade gold, the quality of the gold doesn’t change; it is only the method of procurement that differs. Gold can in fact be melted down, refined, and recycled over and over, without ever losing its purity or value.
PICKING A GEMSTONE FOR YOUR ETHICAL ENGAGEMENT RING
I love including gemstones that are special to customers in engagement rings, as they add an element of significant personal meaning. Perhaps you have a gem that has been passed down through the generations that you’d like to include. Or you may have a gemstone that you have a personal connection with, for example a birthstone. It’s worth thinking about the harness of the gemstone you’re thinking of including to make sure it’s one that will stand the test of time.
The ‘Mohs’ scale is useful to refer to, to check the harness of a gemstone you’re thinking of including. Pick a gemstone on the Mohs scale of 7 or above ideally. Take into consideration how active the person is who is going to wear it, will they wear it daily at work, do they spend a lot of time outdoors, gardening or have an active job that means they need a tough gemstone to withstand daily wear?
ETHICAL GEMSTONES
As mentioned above, repurposed, and recycled gemstones are a great way to include something dear to you in your ring, as well as being a sustainable option. It is also possible to include responsibly sourced new gemstones from companies that fully trace the gemstones and pay their workers fairly. For example, Ethical Gem Suppliers is a collective that believes gems can be more than beautiful, responsibly sourcing gems from around the world. They support artisanal and small-scale miners and their communities and offer gems with verifiable origins, transparency, and traceability.
They also create equity within the supply chain through fair prices and treatment, are committed to responsible environmental practices and champion health and safety at mining sites.
I am happy to incorporate your own gemstone into your engagement ring, or provide a new, ethically sourced gemstone of your choice.
LAB-GROWN DIAMONDS
Lab-grown diamonds are another option you may want to consider for your engagement ring. Produced in factories, they are often seen as more ‘eco-friendly’ and ‘sustainable’, however, the bigger you go with a lab grown diamond, the more energy it takes to produce them. In fact, Saleem Ali, an environment professor at the University of Delaware says, “the energy usage for synthetic diamonds on a per-carat basis may still be considerably greater than for mined diamonds because of issues of scale.” In some cases, the lab-grown companies compare favourably; in others, they don’t. It's difficult to get the full picture and substantiate claims of being better for the environment when multiple factors are involved, and reporting needs to be improved.
I personally don’t think you can truly replicate the natural, irregular, and imperfect beauty of different types of diamonds that have been formed for billions of years in nature. Also, with better protection for miners and the environment with schemes such as the Canada Mark programme (see below for more information), you can feel more confident nowadays purchasing diamonds that have been ethically mined. However, lab-grown diamonds are an alternative to think about if you’re looking for a more ‘perfect’ looking diamond.
CONFLICT-FREE DIAMONDS
The harvesting of diamonds has for a long time, fuelled, and continues to fuel conflict. In countries suffering from civil war, diamonds are often illegally traded and used to fund the purchase of weapons by rebel groups, abusing the human rights of miners and often enslaving local populations to forcefully gather diamonds.
But there is hope. The Canada Mark programme was set up to provide transparency throughout the diamond mining process with all Canada Mark diamonds being tracked through an independent, audited process at every stage from the mine of origin to the polished stone. All Canada Mark diamonds are responsibly mined in Canada’s Northwest Territories with respect for the sustainability of the natural environment and people living in the community. All mines that are part of the programme meet Canada’s stringent environmental regulations.
With ethics and authenticity at the heart of the programme, buying a Canada Mark diamond for your engagement ring means you can rest assured that it has been obtained via responsible mining and means improving lives, strengthening communities, protecting wildlife, and respecting the environment in which they operate. These diamonds are also certified with an assurance that it is authentically Canadian.
RECYCLED DIAMONDS
I love using reclaimed diamonds and have built up a collection of these to use in bespoke commissions and engagement rings. These are diamonds that have been used in another jewellery setting and are ready to be repurposed for a new piece of jewellery. Diamonds are the hardest naturally occurring substance which makes them perfect for recycling - they can be repurposed an infinite number of times, and re-cut and polished as needed over time. Recycled diamonds were once mined from the earth which means they are finite and completely one of a kind, which I believe makes them one of the kindest options for the planet.
ETHICAL & SUSTAINABLE ENGAGEMENT RING OPTIONS FROM ALICE STEWART JEWELLERY
Core to my personal philosophy is the belief that we should tread more lightly upon the planet, and support people in communities to thrive:
I can supply Canada Mark diamonds which are fully traceable conflict-free diamonds. Canada Mark diamonds come with a certificate and laser inscription from the Canada Mark organisation proving the integrity of the supply chain, as well as supporting and investing in local communities. Find out more here.
I have a collection of vintage diamonds that can be crafted into one-of-a-kind ethical engagement rings. A sustainable alternative to new diamonds is antique or recycled diamonds, by choosing these you’re giving these unique natural diamonds a new lease of life and supporting a more circular economy.
I can supply ethically mined & traceable gemstones which support mining communities and have the least impact on the environment, or antique or recycled gemstones that support a more circular economy.
I can cast your ring in Fairtrade or recycled gold and I’m currently in the process of becoming a fairmined licensee to also offer fairmined gold.
I don't use animal products in any of my processes, including the paper tape I use in packaging, which is vegan. I’m always looking for alternatives to the harmful chemicals often used in the jewellery industry and have found natural alternatives like citric acid work just as well as the more harmful acid traditionally used in the cleaning processes.
For each engagement ring bought, I make a charitable donation on your behalf to Trees for Life, to help rebuild one of the world’s most precious woodland habitats, the beautiful Caledonian forest in the Scottish Highlands. Find out more here.
All orders are sent out in fully recyclable/compostable packaging including the tissue paper that is printed on with natural inks. Engagement rings are packaged in a sustainable handmade wooden box with a linen lining, made from a solid piece of timber, sourced from sustainable forests, and harvested to ensure the balance and biodiversity of the surrounding area.
