wildlife-friendly bling
vintage
To save on raw materials, go with an antique or vintage ring if you can. Vintage rings come in many unique styles, so you can find something one-of-a-kind that reflects your personality. And if you’d like something more sentimental, talk to your loved ones about any possible rings or other jewelry that could be passed down.
ethical & sustainable
Work with a jeweler who sources their materials ethically and sustainably. Mining – whether it’s for diamonds or other gemstones — wreaks havoc on the environment because of the deforestation, pollution and serious devastation to wildlife that comes with it. If brand new jewelry is what you want, look into purchasing a lab-created diamond or precious gemstone so you’ll know exactly how your stone was obtained (and skip the unethical, human injustices attached to many mined jewels).
Lab-created diamonds and precious gemstones are chemically, physically and visually identical to their natural counterparts. Mined diamonds produce 4,383 times more waste than lab-created ones and uses 6.8 times as much water.
rePURPOSED
Seek out designers who use repurposed material to create their jewelry. Some jewelers may even let you supply the material. If you or your relatives have jewelry that’s outdated or not worn anymore, think about repurposing it. Ask your jeweler if the stones and/or metals you collected can be used for your ring, and you’ll have a new family heirloom with your own twist.
get inkeD
If tattoos are your thing, you might have already considered passing on traditional rings altogether and choosing this option. Tattooing isn’t for everyone, of course, but whether one or both of you decide to go under the needle, choose an artist who’s clean, safe and trustworthy. Many inks are vegan now, so don’t be afraid to ask.