Modern Heirlooms: How Ethical Engagement Rings Are Replacing Mass-Market Designs

An engagement ring is one of the most common heirlooms amongst families. While some couples choose to propose with an engagement ring from one of their parents, others choose to leave their engagement rings behind as a token to a child, grandchild, or a special person. There’s a lot to consider when buying an engagement ring, including how you might want to use your ring as a modern heirloom.

At Valley Rose, our sustainable engagement rings are designed to be worn today and loved for generations, handcrafted by master artisans using fairmined gold, ethically sourced sapphires, and lab-grown diamonds. If you want an engagement ring worthy of being an heirloom, it needs to reflect your values and love story.

The Problem with Mass-Market Engagement Rings

We’ve all peeked into the window of our local jewelry store to catch a glimpse of the engagement rings sparkling under the spotlights. Most of these will be mass-market engagement rings, often made to capture a momentary trend with a cookie-cutter design you’ll find in the window of almost every jewelry store across the world. 

One of the challenges with these engagement rings is their lack of transparency. While you’ll get a grading certificate for your diamond, you likely won’t know anything about the design or manufacturing process for your ring. These off-the-shelf rings lack the connection and story you get with an ethical engagement ring. Instead of buying ‘fast luxury’, you’re able to choose a ring that feels authentic to who you are, and that represents your values.

What Makes an Engagement Ring Ethical?

An engagement ring is “ethical” when it has a transparent supply chain, where everyone involved receives a fair living wage with safe working conditions. Ethical engagement rings are often made-to-order or created in small batches to reduce their carbon footprint.

At Valley Rose, our sustainable engagement rings are made using lab-created diamonds and responsibly sourced sapphires, brought to life by talented artisans using fairmined gold.

Why Ethical Engagement Rings Feel More Luxurious

Ethical engagement rings are the epitome of ‘conscious luxury’ as they’re created with intention, focusing on artisan craftsmanship instead of producing a higher quantity of rings without a transparent supply chain.  

These alternative rings will often focus on customization, reimagining trends through a new lens that makes them feel both timeless and contemporary. A Valley Rose engagement ring is a story behind it, one focused on delivering one-of-a-kind luxury without harming the environment. By buying an ethical engagement ring, you’re helping us to create a sustainable jewelry industry.

FAQs About Ethical & Custom Engagement Rings

Are ethical engagement rings more expensive?

Ethical engagement rings are not necessarily more expensive. Lab-grown diamonds are more affordable than their natural counterparts (although visually and chemically identical!), and a made-to-order manufacturing system can also help to keep costs down.

Can a lab-grown diamond be an heirloom?

Lab-grown diamonds are becoming modern heirlooms, with more couples choosing them as part of their commitment to protect the planet for future generations.

How long does a custom engagement ring take?

The timeline for a custom engagement ring will vary, depending on whether you’re modifying an existing design or creating something entirely new. Most custom engagement rings will take around 3 months to create.

What makes Fairmined gold different?

Fairmined gold is fully traceable and sourced directly from an artisanal or small-scale mining organization that must abide by strict environmental standards and ethical working conditions.

Choosing a Ring That Will Matter for Generations

Heirlooms have an intention behind them; they’re designed to tell a story and capture a moment in time, one that can be handed down to the next generation as a meaningful keepsake. Ethical engagement rings are the ultimate choice for a modern heirloom as they’ll reflect your values and who you are as a couple. 

Every Valley Rose ring is made-to-order by our team of talented artisans, allowing you to select everything from your choice of gemstone to your preferred type of fairmined gold. Our rings are designed to be worn today and cherished forever as heirlooms that will stand the test of time. Get started by exploring our ethical engagement rings or by booking a virtual consultation to begin designing your modern heirloom.