Start your wedding off right by investing in one of these best ethical engagement rings!
By Chere Di Boscio
Many newly engaged couples look forward not only to the glamour and romance of their impending Big Day, but also to starting a family in the near future. And for those who do plan to have children, there is often a concern about what state the planet will be in when those kids are grown up.
There is no better time for couples to start ensuring they safeguard their children’s future as much as possible by consuming less, and consuming greener – starting with their ethical engagement rings.
Why you need an ethical engagement ring
As we’ve mentioned many times before here at Eluxe, diamonds can be very dirty indeed. As you probably already know, many diamonds (and other gems) come from countries with few, weak or unenforced regulations around child labour and environmental concerns. Which means unless you purchase your diamond from an ethical provider, a child may have mined your stone.
But that’s not all.
Some diamond revenues are used to fund and support suspected war criminals. For example, jewellery titan De Beers still uses so-called ‘blood diamonds’ from Africa in some of their collections. They have also been involved in a case of diamond price fixing amounting to $3 billion, through transfer pricing manipulation from 2005 to 2012. Which means you’re probably way overpaying for your diamond!
The mining of diamonds not only destroys the Earth and exploits children, but it can also displace native peoples. To illustrate, De Beer’s has been accused of forcing the relocation of the San tribe from their native lands in Southern Africa. They’ve apparently done so in order to exploit diamond resources.
De Beers rejected the allegation, but Survival International considers diamond mining in the region to be a genocide of a tribe that has been living in those lands for tens of thousands of years.
Not nice.
What constitutes an ethical engagement ring?
So, how do you know if you’re buying an ethical diamond ring, then?
Well, to start with, there are some international certifications that ensure what you’re buying is ethical. Here are a few, below, for example:
- Rapaport Fair Trade Certification
- The Responsible Jewellery Council
- The Ethical Trading Initiative
- FairMined.Org
However, you can also rest assured your diamond will have been ethically sourced if it’s a lab-grown diamond or a vintage stone.
But don’t just focus on the stone. The metal should also carry certifications such as those mentioned above, or be recycled or vintage.
Should you get a lab-grown diamond ring?
The short answer is yes.
Lab-created engagement rings have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. There are many pros to choosing a lab-created engagement ring over a traditional diamond ring.
Firstly, lab-created diamonds are more eco-friendly and sustainable, as they are not mined. They are also typically less expensive than traditional diamonds, which can allow couples to invest in a larger, higher quality stone.
Additionally, lab-created diamonds are often more pure and flawless than their natural counterparts, making them a more desirable choice for those who prioritise clarity and quality.
Finally, choosing a lab-created engagement ring allows couples to avoid supporting the often exploitative and unethical diamond mining industry, and instead opt for a more ethical and responsible choice.
Ready to see our picks of the best sustainable engagement rings for 2023? Read on!
The Best Ethical Engagement Rings For 2023
1. Lark And Berry
Not only does Lark and Berry offer exquisite lab-grown diamonds, but they also specialise in bespoke services. Which means you can design the ring of your dreams – with some help, if needed.
But that’s not all! You’ll also get a digital, personalised Storybook of Your Love + Ring included as part of your package. You can view an example Storybook here. How romantic is that?
Not up for creating your own design? No problem. Lark and Berry sell some of their own, too. And each one is to die for!
Our pick for their 2023 ethical engagement rings: The Walnut ring. This is a cushion-cut lab-grown diamond that anyone would cherish.
Based: Worldwide
Price range: Medium to High
2. Ritani
Whether you prefer a classic, modern, bold, or vintage design, there is an ethical engagement ring setting here to perfectly suit your style. Think: traditional solitaire, glamorous halo, sentimental three-stone, shimmery side-stone, charming vintage, or a romantic two-stone engagement ring.
Ritani states that they ethically source all of their diamonds: “We provide full transparency on our diamond supply chain, so you know exactly where your diamond is coming from. Ritani is one of the leading companies in the United States to use the Kimberley Process, which upholds strict standards to ethically source diamonds.”
In addition, all their pieces are one-of-a-kind and made to order in New York by expert artisans.
Our pick for their 2023 ethical engagement rings: Their vintage-inspired designs, as seen below.
Based: USA/Worldwide
Price range: Medium
3. Brilliant Earth
Founded by two Stanford graduates, Brilliant Earth produces refined and eco-friendly jewellery items of all kinds. But their specialty is ethical engagement rings!
Their ethical practices ensure that all of their materials come from mines that follow strict labour, trade, and environmental standards. They also only accept diamonds from areas that have Fairtrade diamond certifications.
All of their gold and platinum is recycled in order to further reduce the need for mining these materials, and part of their proceeds are donated to help diminish the unfair labor issues in other mining countries.
So which is the best ring from this brand? The one you create! Brilliant Earth has a simple three step process, allowing customers to choose the setting, diamond and cut of the ring they’ll be wearing for a lifetime.
Our pick for their 2023 ethical engagement rings: Their Moissanite rings are both unique and stunning.
Based: Worldwide
Price range: Medium to High
4. Mejuri
Mejuri is a category-defining fine jewellery brand designing high-quality pieces you can wear every day. And they make some of the best ethical affordable engagement rings around!
Admired for its inherently timeless yet playful aesthetic and recycled 14k gold products, the brand is also known not only for its ethical engagement rings, but its celebrity appeal.
For example? Mejuri boasts A-lister fans, including Selena Gomez, Bella Hadid, Emily Blunt and many more.
Our pick for their 2023 ethical engagement rings: The diamond cluster ring, pictured below, is super sparkly!
Based: Worldwide
Price range: Low to Medium
5. Stone and Strand
Looking for ethical affordable engagement rings? Love your rings to be a bit more understated and delicate? Stone and Strand specialise in these prices and styles! From subtle baguettes to diamonds forming a starburst, there’s a ring design from this brand that you’ll love.
As for their ethics, the brand is a strict adherent of the standards of the Responsible Jewellery Council. This means they are audited every year by the Council to ensure they’re following responsible practices throughout their supply chain.
Normally offering engagement rings priced at just over $500, this is one of the most economical of all the ethical engagement rings brands here. But they always look much more expensive!
Our pick for their 2023 ethical engagement rings: Their Shield of Strength ring makes a serious statement!
Based: Worldwide
Price range: Low to Medium
6. Taylor & Hart
Taylor & Hart specialise in two kinds of ethical engagement rings: those made with lab-grown diamonds, and Diamond Time Lapse stones.
The latter offers a novel approach to getting diamonds from the mine to the consumer, using blockchain technology. Each diamond’s journey is documented in real time and in extraordinary detail. They’re able to provide a full timeline of where your diamond was mined, where it was cut and polished, and what employee handled it at each stage of the process.
Lab grown diamonds—also known as ‘synthetic diamonds’ or ‘cultured diamonds’—are made in laboratories. A very small diamond ‘seed’ is either set in carbon and exposed to high pressure to create a full sized diamond that’s physically and molecularly identical to a natural mined diamond.
The result? Stunning stones you can feel great about wearing!
Our pick for their 2023 ethical engagement rings: The Damson ring offers a combination of coloured gemstone pavé with a statement lab-grown diamond.
Price range: Medium to High
7. Lebrusan Studio
This ring by sustainable jewellery designer Arabel Lebrusan is simply stunning! It features a polished, simple band with a central round-cut diamond in a size of your choice. Two small roses complete the design as within lies 1.5mm and a 1mm diamonds with a grain setting.
These stones are responsibly sourced, of course. And they’re set in an 18 karat Fairtrade gold band. All Lebrusan Studio rings come with a certificate of origin to assure you that it was made with the most ethical materials available.
Our pick for their 2023 ethical engagement rings: The Blossom, pictured below. It’s simple, it’s chic, and it’s one of the most timeless ethical engagement rings in our list.
Based: UK
Price range: High
8. Ethica Diamonds
The ethical engagement rings made by Ethica don’t get much cleaner than this! They’re not only carbon neutral and bespoke, but they’re also lab-grown, which guarantees they’re conflict free.
The other good news is that their pricing is set according to manufacturing and retail costs. Normally, brands set prices according to the (artificially inflated) fixed diamond pricing structure. In other words, these are affordable diamonds that are excellent value for money.
Handmade in Cornwall, the styles created by Ethica diamonds are absolutely up-to-the minute, delicate and modern.
Our pick for their 2023 ethical engagement rings: We love all their coloured gemstone engagement rings, but also the Dina halo ring. It’s both vintage-inspired, yet somehow modern.
Based: UK
Price range: Medium
9. Akind
The most ethical engagement rings in our opinion are those made from lab-grown diamonds. And Akind makes them beautifully!
This Swedish based brand sets their stones in recycled gold or silver, and is well known for its delicate designs. One of our favourites is their minimalistic black diamond ring. This makes an unforgettable impression as it delivers a distinctive look compared to traditional engagement rings. The diamond reveals tiny glimpses of deep ocean blue, making it super sparkling and vibrant.
But if traditional rings are more your thing, their three pronged diamond, pictured below, will always look elegant and modern!
Our pick for their 2023 ethical engagement rings: Akind is one of the few jewellers that offer black diamond engagement rings. Do you dare to be different? These are also some of the more affordable ethical engagement rings.
Based: Europe
Price range: Medium
10. Ingle & Rhode
Founded in 2007, Ingle & Rhode makes some of the most beautiful ethical engagement rings in the world! The company was born from the desire to offer an ethical alternative to traditional jewellery brands. Today, they offer the finest quality products without compromising their ethics.
Specialising in ethically sourced engagement rings and wedding bands, they use pure gold and platinum from only certified Fairtrade or recycled sources. You can easily trace their diamonds and gems back to the mines of origin. And these diamonds aren’t just guaranteed conflict-free: they also come from suppliers who treat their workers with dignity.
All their jewellery is designed and made in the UK by some of the most respected craftsmen in the industry to ensure the most exquisite finish of each piece.
Our pick for their 2023 ethical engagement rings: Any of their coloured gemstone options, too. Bang on trend!
Based: UK
Price range: High
11. Kimai
Founded in 2018 by childhood friends, Jessica Warch and Sidney Neuhaus, Kimai is an ethical fine jewellery brand paving the way for beautifully designed jewellery that doesn’t cost the earth. Their designs exclusively use lab-grown diamonds and 18k recycled solid gold.
The innovative brand is breaking form and tradition with their ethically sourced engagement rings collection. It consists of six styles, including modern asymmetric designs, as well as more traditional bands with central diamonds.
Handmade in their Antwerp atelier, the rings can include any diamond cut or carat. They’re available in white, yellow or rose gold settings. They offer a bespoke service too (with virtual consultations, of course).
Our pick for their 2023 ethical engagement rings: Their pear shaped diamond engagement ring with a pavé band is superlative.
Based: USA
Price range: Medium
12. Valley Rose Studio
Research shows that the majority of consumers are in favour of supporting environmentally friendly brands. So why is it that within the jewelry industry, not much progress has been made? Overall, the environmental and social impact of producing gold, diamonds and silver is still pretty filthy.
But there’s good news! Ethical consumers can now shop brands like Valley Rose Studio. They se Fairmined gold and 100% Climate Neutral diamonds in their stunning rings. These revolutionary materials take a comprehensive approach to complicated issues and transform every purchase into an active force for good.
Our pick for their 2023 ethical engagement rings: Their solitaire diamond with the pavé band, below.
Based: USA
Price range: Medium
Which of these ethical diamond engagement rings is your favourite? Let us know in the comments below!
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The term ethical in this article is misleading. I appreciate all companies listed for trying… but ultimately so called ethical jewelry will come from a small artisanal maker. Scale in your jewelry business by nature make compliance to so called ethical standards more of a PR play than an Ethos… buy small. It’s the new ethical…
Hi Paul
Actually, we know these brands very well and each and every one is a small, artisanal maker, except for I Do Now I Don’t, which ‘recycles’ unwanted jewellery….
AMAZING
Fantastic article, some people don’t understand or know where their engagement ring has came from and the impact it could have on the environment.
Depending on your budget this is onee area with a bit of wiggle room.
An engagement ring will be one of tthe most amazingg things you will ever buy ffor her.
Diamond ring is the most common for engagement ceremony.
Great post, very useful for me, and my fiancee!
Wonderful rings, I like this post so much.
I have wonderful piece of jewelry, spiritual and very meaningful.
So beautiful!