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!

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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

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)

Manly Bands

Stylish Eco Friendly Options

Manly Bands offers a selection of eco friendly and ethically sourced materials.

Manly Bands Logo Mark

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

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

These Noa Sharon Designs 14K Gold Wedding Bands are handmade from 14K pure recycled yellow gold. Each ring is hammered by hand to your size specifications. The bride’s ring is a stackable set of three delicate bands, which gives you plenty of options on how you want to wear it.

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

These Wave Silver Handmade Wedding Bands are hand forged and hammered by hand to your specified size from recycled .925 silver.

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.

Courtesy coolNaturalJewelry

03.

Natural Wooden Wedding Rings

~ coolNaturalJewelry ~

Price: $

Why We Love This Brand

About coolNaturalJewelry

These Natural Wooden wedding rings are a beautiful option for couples who want a symbol of their dedication to one another and to nature.

The rings are available in a range of widths (so also great for same-sex couples) and the groom’s ring is in a beautiful natural plum wood color, and the bride’s in purple heartwood. The rings are polished with all-natural waxes (beeswax and carnauba).

Looking to stray away from metal products? Wood wedding bands are an excellent choice!

Courtesy coolNaturalJewelry

04.

Ebony Wood Minimalist Wedding Rings

~ coolNaturalJewelry ~

Price: $

Why We Love This Brand

About coolNaturalJewelry

These Ebony Wood Minimalist rings are simple, edgy, elegant, and made from a renewable source (wood)! The designer handcrafts them to your sizing and hand-polished with natural waxes, such as pure beeswax and carnauba wax. (So may not be suitable for vegans depending on your individual beliefs.) These rings are unique and affordable and a great choice for those on a budget.

Courtesy Loreto Rings

05.

~ Loreto Rings ~

Price: $$

Why We Love This Brand

About Loreto Rings

These Loreto Recycled Wedding Bands are completely unique; they’re made from concrete blended with flakes of lapacho wood and carbon fiber – yes, that sounds strange but it doesn’t look it at all! From a distance, the bands look a little like a speckled bird egg, so the effect is extremely natural with a modern design. If you’re looking for a unique design you won’t see anyone else wearing, but still incorporates natural elements, this is a great choice.

Courtesy McFarland Designs – Ethical Jewelry

06.

Handmade Recycled 14K Gold Bands

~ McFarland Designs – Ethical Jewelry ~

Price: $$$

Why We Love This Brand

About McFarland Designs

These two-tone wedding bands by McFarland Designs are made entirely from recycled 14K gold and are made entirely to order. The bands come in two widths; 4mm and 5mm, with one tone of gold raised atop the other. You can choose whatever color gold you like: white, yellow, rose, or green, with a brushed metal effect. McFarland Designs is an ethical jeweler based in California, so you have the opportunity to minimize your footprint even further, especially if you live anywhere on the west coast.

Courtesy Manly Bands

07.

The Marco Wood Band

~ Manly Bands~

Price: $$

Why We Love This Brand

About The Marco

This ring is a classic wooden band that looks nice and slick. Wood is one of our favorite alternatives for eco-friendly ring options. This band is made for comfort and has a lifetime warranty. You will be able to be at peace knowing your ring was ethically made, and looks amazing.

Courtesy Manly Bands

08.

The Wyatt Wood Band

~ Manly Bands~

Price: $$

Why We Love This Brand

About The Wyatt

The wooden ring look can be more than just the sleek wood look. This ring has the two tones of the different wood types. This ring has a little of a darker wood look, and still has all the uniqueness of the wood. This ring is made to be comfortable and water resistant. You will love how light this ring feels on your finger!

Courtesy Manly Bands

09.

The Aspen

~ Manly Bands~

Price: $$

Why We Love This Brand

About The Aspen

This ring is one of the most unique rings out there because it is made with antlers. The antlers are humanely gathered for these rings. Since antlers vary in colors this ring also has three color options for how you want the antler to look. It is made with damascus steel to give you the strength of metal rings.

Courtesy Clean Origins

10.

1/2 CT. TW. Coupé 11 Stone Diamond Ring

~ Clean Origin~

Price: $$$

Why We Love This Brand

About This 11 Stone Diamond Ring

This stunning ring is one of our favorite classy wedding bands. It adds some beautiful diamonds to the engagement ring. These are lab grown and sparkly as ever. If you want that classic diamond band look then this is perfect for you. It will sparkle and really bring the whole look of the ring together.

The Orbit Band

Courtesy Clean Origins

11.

Orbit Band

~ Clean Origin~

Price: $$$

Why We Love This Brand

About the Orbit Ring

This orbit ring has the double band look in one. It also could resemble the infinity sign. It adds a little more uniqueness to the ring instead of just a single band. We love that the diamonds are lab made and ethically sourced. This ring will look beautiful attached to an engagement ring that doesn’t need much more added to it.

Closing Thoughts

Finding an eco-friendly ring can be difficult if you don’t know where to look. However, this should make finding that ethical ring much easier. You can find so many great options that are repurposed metals and recycled diamonds. You also have an endless amount of options for alternative materials like; wood, silicone, tungsten, antler, and many others. You will be making a big difference in the environmental impact of engagement rings when you choose to find something ethically sourced. Lab created diamonds are still diamonds, just without the mining. You will be able to find that perfect ring or wedding band that you are looking for.

Why You Should consider Eco-friendly Wedding Rings

As you can see, you certainly don’t have to compromise on style when you choose to buy eco-friendly wedding bands; there are plenty of beautiful designs and environmentally conscious designers to work with, many of whom are willing to work with you on a custom design.

If you choose a delicate metal, like recycled yellow gold, don’t forget that there are eco-friendly silicone bands for men and women that are more suitable for everyday wear, especially if you have an active lifestyle.

What would be your ideal eco-friendly wedding ring? Let us know in the comments below!

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