Over the years, I’ve told Jeremy that, if and when he decided to pop the question, I wasn’t super picky about the engagement ring. I’ve always had only two specific requests: that it be daintily minimal and ethically-made. Fortunately, nowadays, there are plenty of companies around the globe that are dedicated to providing customers with options that fit the bill on both counts—and many of them are equally passionate about giving back to others at the same time!
For being things of such beauty, diamonds are often stained with an ugly history. You’ve likely heard the term “blood diamond” before, but if you’re not familiar with where this comes from, here’s some information on the devastation diamond mining can create. I knew that if I was going to own a piece of jewelry that I’d be wearing daily, and looking at for years to come, I wanted to feel good about where it came from.
Needless to say, I was over the moon when he slipped this ethically-sourced and environmentally responsible beauty from Brilliant Earth on my finger the day of our proposal!
Knowing that, from creation to purchase, no human rights were violated, the impact on our ecosystem was not as great, and a portion of the proceeds were given back into mining communities in need makes this conflict-free gem all the more magical and gorgeous to me.
I spent a LOT of time researching the best options when it came to reputable jewelry companies that specialize in conflict-free jewelry. Brilliant Earth stood out to me for several reasons: their commitment to giving back, the ability to customize your dream ring (and choose from either real or lab-created diamonds), and their competitive pricing (when compared to similar companies).
I thought I’d share some of the amazing options we considered when it came to shopping for engagement rings, in case all of this is near and dear to your heart as well!
Even if you’re not in the market for an engagement or wedding ring, many of these companies also offer other pieces—stacking rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and more—that are crafted with the same care and conflict-free mission in mind.
Brilliant Earth
I’ve mentioned the reasons why we chose Brilliant Earth above! In addition to their standard options when it comes to settings and diamonds, they also offer the ability to create your own custom ring, choose lab-created diamonds, and select from some truly stunning vintage-inspired pieces, too! Much of the material they use is also recycled, which is a huge bonus. An added perk to watch out for: they’ll often have deals that include a free pair of earrings or a necklace when you spend over a certain amount, or offer a discount on a future purchase! | Learn more.
Do Amore
This company was right up there with Brilliant Earth for me. They have several simple and elegant designs to choose from, but also give you the option to create a custom ring. They offer real and lab-created diamonds, too. What I love most about Do Amore is that every ring purchased helps provide clean drinking water to people in need! | Learn more.
Blue Nile
Blue Nile also has a wide range of customizable rings and take a hard stance against conflict diamonds, tracking their gems “from mine to market.” There are some really unique and dazzling rings available here! | Learn more.
Mejuri
I’ve seen a lot of gorgeous jewelry in my blogroll and Instagram feed over the years, and it seems like, at least half of the time, when I click to see where they’ve come from, it’s Mejuri! I love the minimal, yet artfully done designs this company comes up with, and that they only support ethically-sourced materials. | Learn more.
Etsy
Several creators on Etsy handcraft their jewelry with conflict-free materials. Just be sure to include “ethically-made” or “conflict-free” in your search for these options to pop up! | Go to Etsy.
Local Jewelers
It’s also worth checking out smaller, local jewelry shops! While some may not be able to confirm whether or not their jewelry is all made from ethically sourced materials, many of them do sell secondhand, vintage, and lovingly restored pieces, which is a great way to extend the life of an existing piece of jewelry and avoid supporting conflict diamonds in a new ring.
For those interested, my Brilliant Earth ring is the Aria setting in rose gold with a round diamond! I love the two smaller pear-shaped diamonds on either side of the center, and even though I’m a gold-lover through and through, the rose gold is gorgeous and I love the vintage vibe it gives off! I’m still deciding on a wedding band to pair it with.
These are just a few of the options I considered when looking for companies dedicated to providing ethical diamond rings. There are several other jewelers out there to consider (here’s a list for more), many of which are committed to not only conflict-free diamonds, but also to giving back in some way. Beautiful all around!
xo, Aly