Top 6 Eco Friendly Wedding Rings and Bands for 2020
Show your commitment to nature and one another with these beautiful wedding bands
Hannah Warren // Senior Writer & Editor
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Commit to Nature and Your Significant Other
Eco-friendly wedding bands and rings are becoming more popular than ever as more conscientious couples and vegan couples search for a symbol of their commitment not only to one another, but also to their way of life together.
Planning an eco-friendly wedding is difficult. From choosing a sustainable dress or gown to picking the right environmentally friendly wedding invites, there is a lot to think about!
If this describes you and your fiancé, know that you have a lot of different options that won’t leave you worrying about what damage was done to the environment or what conditions the workers had to endure to acquire the materials.
There are numerous beautiful and meaningful options that will symbolize the start of your new lives together, so what are they? Here are a few different buying options to keep in mind as you start your search.
What are Ethical Engagement Rings?
Ethical Engagement Rings are all about the diamond and metals being used to make the ring. A well known term used for this is Blood-diamonds, and those diamonds are unethically mined or stolen. Ethical diamonds don’t require mining, which stops the negative impacts on the environment, and they don’t exploit human labor. An ethical engagement ring can be lab created diamonds, canadian diamond, or recycled diamond. Once you have found the diamond you should get the setting metals from recycled materials. You can get repurposed metals, and they melt them down to make the ring you would like. Another alternative to this is getting a thrifted ring/vintage ring, because that is all recycled materials being reused.
Are Recycled Metals as Good as Ethically Sourced Metals?
That’s a personal decision you need to make.
While recycled materials may have originated from a questionable source, recycling and reusing is the best way of avoiding contributing to the damage mining for precious metals does.
Even ethically sourced metals may only be so because the workers are paid “enough”, so if you are choosing to buy from a new source, investigate exactly how the metals have been sourced.
You can also look into some of the best silicone wedding bands we have found, with some being made from sustainable materials.
7 Things to Think About When Buying Eco-Friendly Wedding Bands
01. Consider buying second-hand
Vintage, ideally. You will also be able to find used modern wedding rings and bands, but they’re not exactly desirable since they symbolize someone else’s failed marriage!
However, if that doesn’t bother you it is a good way to get a bargain and recycle.
02. Focus on the material
Choose a material from a renewable source or that is recycled from other sources.
03. Tattoo
If you and your partner are willing to get tattoos, why not forego the ring altogether and get tattooed bands?
You’ll have to get the band touched up from time to time as hand and finger tattoos fade relatively quickly.
04. Order within the US (or your country)
You can significantly reduce the harm you do to the environment simply by ordering within the US.
05. Go Custom
If you have family heirlooms made of precious metals or stones that don’t have a huge amount of sentimental value, you could take those pieces to a jeweler to get them made into custom pieces.
A true jeweler (not just someone who sells jewelry) may be able to transform them into a brand-new design, allowing you to recycle and get one-of-a-kind bands. Of course, this is not a budget option!
There are numerous beautiful and meaningful options that will symbolize the start of your new lives together, so what are they? Here are a few different buying options to keep in mind as you start your search.
06. Recycled and Lab Grown Diamonds
Lab created Diamonds are exactly as they sound! They are mining free, and beautiful. They are carefully created in a lab where they mimic the process that happens naturally, but there is mining, or waiting as long as it takes naturally. These could also be called man-made diamonds, and because of this they can make them in multiple shades; which are very rare naturally.
07. Ethically-Sourced Metals
Some metals that are more ethically-sourced would be silver, which still requires mining so it is not the best option, but better than gold. You can also look into tungsten and titanium which are becoming more and more popular for wedding bands. However, if you really want the precious metal you can look into repurposed materials. They have lots of options for metals that have been melted down and made into something new. Of course, you can always find an antique ring if that is something you’re okay with!
Where to Find Eco Friend and Ethical Rings Online
These 3 brands offer eco friendly metals and lab grown diamonds.
Clean Origin
Ethical Lab Grown Diamonds
Clean Origin provides High-Quality, Affordable & Ethical Lab-Grown Diamonds Backed By A 100-Day Return
About this Brand
Clean Origin makes their own lab created diamond and all of them are certified. They put quality and ethics first and make sure their customers are always happy. They make 100% real diamonds and you won’t have to worry about the ethics behind the mining. They offer a 100 day return policy if you are not satisfied with what you get, and their staff are very helpful with making sure you are happy and satisfied.
Offerings
Lab Created Diamonds
Engagement Rings
Eco Friendly Men and Womens Wedding Bands
Lab Created Diamond Bracelets, Necklaces, Earrings
Manly Bands
Stylish Eco Friendly Options
Manly Bands offers a selection of eco friendly and ethically sourced materials.
About this Brand
Manly Bands is one of our favorites, and they offer some of the best non-metal alternatives if you are looking for wood, silicone, or even antler. They do offer conflict free diamonds if you are looking for a band with diamonds. They are well priced and they have some of the most unique wedding bands. They also have non-eco friendly options and materials, so be sure you check to see what you are getting is eco friendly.
Offerings
Select Eco Friendly Materials (Wood, Silicone, Antler)
Conflict Free Diamonds
Alternative Metals
Kay
Beautiful Lab Grown Diamond Rings
Kay offers lab created diamond rings in a variety of styles and select eco friendly materials.
About this Brand
Kay is one of the more well known brands that has lab created diamonds. They are great with their customers, and want you to be happy with what you are getting. They also have some eco-friendly materials like silicone bands. Their lab created diamonds are beautiful and well made. They do have non-eco friendly options offered here, so be sure you are looking to see if you are getting the ethically made items.
Offerings
Lab Created Diamonds
Select Eco Friendly Materials (Silicone)
11 Unique Eco-Friendly Wedding Rings and Bands
Discover some of our top picks for Eco Friendly Wedding Bands for your sustainable wedding in 2020
Courtesy Noa Sharon Designs
01.
Noa Sharon Designs Ancient Style 14K Gold Wedding Bands
~ Noa Sharon Designs ~
Price: $$$$
Why We Love This Brand
About Noa Sharon Designs
The groom’s band is simple and elegant, without losing an edge of masculinity.
If you want to incorporate precious metals into your wedding bands but are concerned about getting them from a sustainable source, recycled gold like this is a great solution.
Courtesy CrazyAss Jewelry Designs
02.
Wave Recycled Silver Handmade Wedding Bands
~ CrazyAss Jewelry Designs ~
Price: $$
Why We Love This Brand
About CrazyAss Jewelry Designs
The bride’s ring is 4mm and the groom’s is 8mm, both with a smooth wave design running around the band.
The designer of these eco-friendly wedding bands is based in Nevada, so you’ll also minimize your carbon footprint in getting the bands shipped to you.
