Your wedding ring can be eco-friendly too? Of course!

Your wedding ring can be eco-friendly too? Of course! Let’s see how to create a green wedding and how to let your wedding ring eco-friendly?

1, Know Your Stones

Look for a ring that meets the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme provisions — a guarantee that you’re not purchasing a “blood diamond.” Ask your jeweler about the origins of the stone, and if those places participate in this international agreement. A safe bet: Go with designers like Erica Courtney, who uses only conflict-free stones, or Tiffany & Co., whose suppliers use environmentally sound, conflict-free mining.

2, Gilt Without the Guilt

Recycled gold is melted down and re-refined, making it the same quality as a newly mined metal. Many gold mines are open-pit mines, which can be devastating to the environment — would you believe that it takes at least 30 tons of rock to make one gold ring? Shop from jewelers like greenKara, who use recycled gold. For a list of retailers who support responsible gold mining, go to NoDirtyGold.org.

Vintage Gems

Save the energy that would have gone into mining and creating new pieces by opting for vintage jewelry — retro styles are still super hot, so this one isn’t even remotely a compromise!

3, Find a Green-friendly Jeweler

The Earthwise Jewelry Collection from Leber Jeweler Inc. uses Canadian-mined diamonds and fair-labor colored gemstones.

4, Use Diamond Substitutes

If the thought of buying a diamond makes you uneasy despite fair trade regulations, consider a ring with a moissanite stone. Made from silicon carbonite — a rare and naturally occurring substance — moissanite can also be manufactured in a lab. This completely earth-friendly and conflict-free gemstone is less expensive and more durable than the traditional diamond. Visit Moissanite.com for details.

5, Stylish Synthetics

Another option is Adia diamonds, which are identical to natural diamonds, but produced in a European lab rather than mined. While some stones (like cubic zirconia) look a lot like diamonds, they actually have different chemical compositions, while Adia diamonds have the exact structure, density, and composition of naturally occurring diamonds. This is an especially intriguing option if you’re looking for a yellow diamond, since they don’t take as long to produce as white diamonds, and therefore cost less. AdiaDiamonds.com

6, Other Alternatives

Consider wood. Yes, wood! This is for the true green heart. If you still want your piece to sparkle, artist Gustav Reyes’ designs include braided silver and eco-friendly diamonds set in a wooden base. Visit SimplyWoodRings.com for additional details.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 at 9:27 pm and is filed under green weddings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “Your wedding ring can be eco-friendly too? Of course!”

  1. planning a wedding on a budget Says :

    planning a wedding on a budget…

    A wedding should be special. Make up a list of all things you have to do and remember and it will make life alot easier for you and you will not forgett anything important…

  2. forexstrat_egy Says :

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  3. useddyduh Says :

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