Ethical Engagement Rings: Why Couples Should Choose an Ethical Engagement Ring

June 01, 2024

Ethical Engagement Rings

Introduction

Yourengagement ring is a part of your love story. It reflects who you are as a couple, symbolizing more than just your union.Sustainability is on all our minds, changing our everyday habits and outlook on life. 

What do you want your engagement ring to say about you? Choosing an ethical engagement ring makes a statement about your values as a couple.Sustainable practices, like the ones we follow at Valley Rose, createeco-friendly engagement rings that help leave the world a better place. 

These ethical engagement rings are beautiful on the inside and out. At Valley Rose, ethical integrity is at the heart of our bespoke engagement rings, created usingfairmined certified gold from small-scale and artisanal mining operations. Our supply chain is fullytransparent and traceable, giving you the peace of mind that your ethical engagement ring is made with love – and without harming the planet. 

If you’re popping the question or upgrading your ring, anethical engagement ring should be at the top of your shopping list. We’re sharing everything you need to know about ethical and eco-friendly engagement rings to help you choose a ring worthy of becoming a family heirloom. 

ethical engagement rings
Ethical Engagement Rings: Why Couples Should Choose an Ethical Engagement Ring

What is an Ethical Engagement Ring?

An ethical engagement ring is responsibly sourced, causing minimal damage to the environment and communities. These ethics extend beyond materials and include ecological preservation and fair labor practices, ensuring that every aspect of the supply chain is sustainable. 

ethical engagement rings

Choosing an ethical engagement ring has a positive impact on communities at the heart of the jewelry industry, such as the fairmined gold that provides miners with a fair, livable wage, and safe working conditions. Buying an ethical engagement allows you to play your role in creating a more ethical and sustainable jewelry industry.

Opting for an ethical engagement ring isn’t just about committing to each other, it’s a promise to create a better tomorrow. Buying an ethical engagement ring fights pollution and supports small businesses while leaving the planet a better place. 

Ethical Engagement Rings: Why Couples Should Choose an Ethical Engagement Ring

How We Create Ethical Engagement Rings at Valley Rose

At Valley Rose, our ethical engagement rings are made using Fairmined certified gold, recycled diamonds, AETHER AIR lab diamonds, and responsibly sourced sapphires and gemstones. We ensure that our materials are not just conflict-free but extracted by workers in a safe environment using sustainable practices that minimize environmental damage.

The gold and gemstones used for our ethical engagement rings are fully traceable, while AETHER AIR lab diamonds are produced by a certified B company. We strive to ensure that our manufacturing practices support and protect communities.

Ourbespoke engagement ring service allows you to create an ethical ring that reflects your values, love story, and style. Bring your dream ring to life with ourartisanally mined loose gemstones by choosing your perfect center stone to put your personal touch on our classic silhouettes. 

Ethical Engagement Rings: Why Couples Should Choose an Ethical Engagement Ring

Do Conflict-Free Diamonds Make an Engagement Ring Ethical?

It’s a common misconception that an engagement ring is ethical just because it usesconflict-free diamonds. Today, it’s best to consider conflict-free diamonds as the industry norm, rather than the exception. For example, US legislation requires that all rough diamonds sold in the country must be conflict-free. 

However, just because a diamond is conflict-free, it doesn’t mean that the engagement ring is made without any human rights or environmental concerns. At Valley Rose, we use AETHER AIR lab-grown diamonds, made from air pollution, and traceable diamonds and gemstones. A conflict-free diamond is only ethical when it is fully traceable and mined using sustainable practices by workers receiving a fair wage and operating in safe working conditions. 

Lab-grown diamonds are increasingly becoming the go-to choice for modern couples. These diamonds appear the same to the naked eye and are created in a controlled environment within a laboratory without the ethical or environmental concerns associated with traditional diamond mining. 

Ethical Engagement Rings: Why Couples Should Choose an Ethical Engagement Ring

Fairmined Gold vs. Recycled Gold for Ethical Engagement Rings

When shopping for an ethical engagement ring, it’s important to understand what specific terms mean. It’s easy to assume that ‘recycled gold’is sustainable by its very nature, but the real picture is more complicated. Recycled gold is defined as any gold that has been previously refined which means only a small portion contains old jewelry and the rest is actually newly mined gold. The fact is that gold can be infinitely recycled without losing its integrity, so it is certainly not an innovative approach in the world of jewelry. 

Which begs the question, is recycled gold the most ethical option?

The answer is clear for us, Fairmined gold is a more sustainable alternative. This gold meets theFairmined certification standard, meaning it supports small mining communities, is fully traceable, and extracted using eco-friendly practices. By choosing fairmined gold over recycled gold, you’re making a difference to the lives of communities and workers within the gold mining industry and also fighting deforestation and drinking water pollution.

ethical engagement rings
ethical engagement rings
Ethical Engagement Rings: Why Couples Should Choose an Ethical Engagement Ring

Why You Should Choose an Ethical Engagement Ring

An engagement ring is one of the biggest purchases you’ll likely ever make. You want to make the right decision that will stand the test of time – and not just in your choice of engagement ring design. Choosing an ethical engagement ring incorporates your values and beliefs into your love story, giving you a unique piece of jewelry to pass down to the next generation. 

Our fairmined gold is responsibly sourced, confirming that our manufacturing practices meet ethical and environmental standards from mining to finishing.

Choosing an ethical engagement ring is more than just a statement, it allows you to play an active role in driving change within the jewelry industry. The popularity of ethical engagement rings is leading brands and independent jewelers to adopt more responsible sourcing practices and sustainable materials. 

At its heart, an ethical engagement ring is a better choice for our planet. Bespoke engagement rings created with ethically sourced materials have a lower carbon footprint than rings that use materials procured using traditional mining practices. Your ethical engagement ring isn’t just a promise for your future, but a commitment to play your part in protecting the planet. 

Ethical Engagement Rings: Why Couples Should Choose an Ethical Engagement Ring

Bring Your Ethical Engagement Ring to Life with Valley Rose

At Valley Rose, we’re honored to play a role in your love story with one of our ethical engagement rings. Build your dream engagement ring by customizing one of our classic settings with anethically mined loose gemstone or shopping ourready-to-ship rings

Every Valley Rose ring is handcrafted, following strict ethical practices to ensure sustainability, fair labor practices, and minimal environmental impact. Got a question about our ethical engagement rings? Reach out to our team athelp@valleyrosestudio.comand book afree design consultation to start bringing your custom engagement ring to life. 

FAQs

What Defines an Ethical Engagement Ring?

An ethical engagement ring is characterized by the use of gemstones and metals that originate from fair and humane sources, exert minimal environmental impact, and are mined or produced under conditions that ensure fair wages and safe work environments for all involved. Watch out for greenwashing with engagement ring companies as recycled gold and conflict-free diamonds are simply the bare minimum not actually an active ethical solution. 

Which Stones Are Considered the Most Ethical for Engagement Rings?

The most ethical options for engagement rings currently include Aether Air lab-grown diamonds made from air pollution, and artisanally sourced gemstones or diamonds sourced direct with known provenance. For lab diamonds, those cultivated using renewable energy sources rather than fossil fuels are recommended. And for earth mined diamonds Canadian Mined, and Ocean Diamonds are the leader in ethical choices. Recycled heirloom diamonds or gemstones are also an ethical choice. 

Does Tiffany & Co. Sell Ethical Diamonds?

Tiffany & Co. offers conflict-free diamonds, which is required by law in the USA. Additionally conflict-free does not cover all human rights issues. Conflict-free is the bare minimum certification for a diamond and sourcing direct with known provenance is the only way to guarantee your diamond is free of human suffering and actually ethical.

Are There Diamonds That Are Ethically Sourced?

Yes, there are several countries known for providing ethically sourced diamonds. These include Canada, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Australia, where diamonds are mined under conditions that prioritize ethical standards. Ocean Diamonds from South Africa is an example of an ethical, artisanally mined and fully traceable diamond. 

 

 

custom ethical engagement rings by valley rose studio

 



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Sizing & Care
Ring Sizing Guide

 

Necklace Sizing Guide

Follow this chart to see where the necklace will fall. All necklace sizes are described on the product pages. We suggest getting a piece of string and measuring necklace on your neck to ensure best fit. 

 

Special Care Instructions

To keep your jewels looking their best please keep these tips in mind to extend the life of your pieces. 

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