What is a more conscientious option for engagement/wedding bands?

Question

I've just started to take in all the information about how damaging diamond mining is on the environment, and how it's destroying areas in Africa with it's less than moral trade - Lives lost, unfair pay, poverty, etc.

What are options for engagement/wedding bands that are less damaging to the Earth and to communities in Africa? I'm open to hearing a range of suggestions from pre-owned, refurbished, alternative materials, etc.

Answer 1

My brother in-law works in the Argyle diamond mines here in Australia.

If you were to go for an argyle diamond you can rest assured the workers and environment are being very well looked after in deed (brother in law is on over $100k AU.  Due to Native title regulations near the mines the environment, while damaged to an extent, is still well looked after).

Answer 2

i'm from nigeria so TRUST ME i hate conflict diamonds personally i dont see the big idea of diamonds anyway. there are many routes you can take. Titanium, silver,gold, even wood are all great options. gem stones are also a great way to have the bling without the ring of guilt. if you must have  a diamond try places that gurantee no conflict diamonds like Green Karat or Brillant Earth.

Answer 3

Just by a socialy responsible diamond. Canadian diamonds are the best option.

some people use gem stones or pearls....lots of options these days.

Conflict diamonds are pretty rare these days, it was a much bigger issues in the 90's and turn of the century.

Polar Ice, Polar Bear Diamond, Canadian Arctic Diamonds, Brilliant Earth Diamonds, Blue Nile Diamonds...etc etc.

Just research a bit.  

Answer 4

ok so heres what we did, im not into the real diamonds bc of exactly what you said, me and my fiance went to walmart.com we purchased both our rings and my enagement ring from there spent less then 150. Had both our bands engraved with a special messege they are like sterling silver but a better metal and last a lifetime. just an idea check them out!! goodluck

Answer 5

You could go to an antique store or pawn shop and buy your jewelery or buy a piece then have it restyled or melted down and custom made for you.  

Answer 6

:)

Ever thought about synthetic diamonds? They take an actual diamond grain, very small, and grow it in a lab. It takes abut 2-4 weeks. It takes the planet years and years to grow diamonds. This way, you know that your diamond is symbolizing love and is not tarnished by what is going on with the environment and the unsettling news of African diamond mines.

When my boyfriend and I first discussed getting married, I let him know I didn't want a real diamond. I discovered a company online with its own lab that grew diamonds to your specific size. Great thing about it? A 2.5 Carat diamond is about $350!! Talk about inexpensive! More money for your wedding and future, 'eh?

You don't need to get a pre-owned or a refurbished ring.

You can actually go to "Diamond Nexus Labs" website http://www.diamondnexuslabs.com/product_... and order a catalog for free. They mail it to your home.

Good luck! And it's good to know there are more people like you in the world!

Answer 7

Try scheduling a ring-shopping trip to a few antique shops or consignment stores(best option). You stand a very good chance of finding a beautiful ring for a better price, with better quality stones.

That's what we did. We wound up with a vintage Tacori-style eternity band with more than a full carat in yellow and white diamonds set in yellow gold for $800(it was $1000, but they marked it down on the spot for us). It looks a lot like this one;

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...

There is also the option of conflict-free diamonds. They're a bit more expensive, but come certified as coming from regions where exploitation and violence don't taint the stones. My stones for my engagement ring are such. I had them set in an antique Victorian ring setting being sold on eBay for scrap. Now THAT'S recycling!

Happy Hunting!

Answer 8

I have a Canadian diamond in my engagement ring.  My fiance was really insistent on getting me one because we are both against blood diamonds.  Canadian diamonds run 20% above other diamond prices, because of the increased labour cost in paying the miners fair wages, but I think it's so worth it!

You could also consider another type of stone (Sapphires come in every colour, including white, which resemble diamonds and are nearly as durable/hard).  I don't know how or where they are mined, but you could also look into other stones.

Answer 9

I've always liked the idea of using an heirloom ring for an engagement/marriage. There are many options, and you can usually get a new stone set in an antique setting, or vice versa. I think that that's a very beautiful tradition and I wish more people kept it up!

Sorry I don't have any specific information, but there is lots of information on the subject on the web. You could even go to a jeweler and ask what their options are on heirlooms and resetting a ring.