Special offers on ethical engagement and wedding rings
Feb 10th, 2010 by Katie
With St Valentine waiting just around the corner anxious suitors are getting ready to seize the day and pop that all-important question.
But what to pop it with? And what to tie the knot with once it’s been popped? How can we find engagement and wedding rings that share the love a little?
Well we can start by ditching the blood diamonds. It’s a few years now since the practice of selling diamonds to fund conflicts against legitimate governments went under the spotlight in the film ‘Blood Diamond’ (starring Leonardo Di Caprio).
But while the Kimberley Process (set up to stamp out blood or conflict diamonds as they are also known) has made some progress it isn’t there yet – so we as consumers need to keep asking questions.
Under the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme jewellers should be able to show us a certificate stating that their diamonds are ‘conflict free’. It’s not foolproof but it helps and shows the industry that this is an important issue for us – their customers.
Then it’s time to dig a bit further – into the environmental and social impacts of the mining of diamonds and the other precious stones and metals that make up our rings. What can the jeweller tell us about the working conditions of those who mined them?
Are they paid a fair wage? And what about how the mine is run? Is the environment protected as much as possible – for example by mining without the use of cyanide, mercury or arsenic? Read more about the impacts of mining and what we need to know when choosing our rings.
On the other hand we could avoid the mining issue altogether and go for a ring made from recycled metals or even wood, perhaps sporting a lab-grown diamond, or we could re-use and recycle with a pre-loved vintage ring or family heirloom.
Ethical jewellers – and some great special offers
To save lots of searching for jewellers doing the right thing, and a bit of hard-earned cash with some great special offers, here’s a rundown of our Ethical Weddings jewellery designers.
Leblas’s wedding rings, engagement rings and bridal jewellery are all crafted from recycled gold and platinum and traceable diamonds and precious stones.
Valentine’s Special Offer: Buy one wedding ring and get the second wedding ring half price until 15 March 2010. Just call on +44 (0)20 7730 3418 and quote “ethical weddings“.
Fifi Bijoux use fairly traded, ethically mined gold and gems from socially, environmentally responsible mines. The jewellery is made here in the UK by master goldsmiths.
Valentine’s Special Offer: Get a £20 voucher to spend with Fifi Bijoux when you quote the code ‘ETHICAL VALENTINES’. Offer ends 21 March 2010.
Chocolate Couture support the Kimberley Process and the use of conflict-free diamonds. Their gemstone supplier has signed up to their Ethical Policy and they can source Canadian diamonds on request. Their handcrafted wedding bands are made in their workshop in the UK.
Valentine’s Special Offer: 2 for 1 on recycled 9 carat gold Ethical Bond wedding rings (3mm width) £295.00 pair
Diamond Culture bypass the mining process by offering laboratory-grown diamonds that are not simulants or imitations but chemically, physically and optically identical to mined diamonds.
Valentine’s Special Offer:
Diamond Culture Collection: 20% off Justine, Olivia and Danila engagement rings plus option to replace the featured diamond by any stone from their loose diamonds collection.
Danielle Goffa Collection: 20% off all rings
Loose Diamonds Collection: 20% off Sol22, Sol24, Sold28, Sol26 and Sol18 loose diamonds. 10% off the rest of the collection.
To claim your discount email victor@diamondculture.be quoting: “Ethical Weddings Valentine Special Offer”. Offer ends 28 February 2010
EcoChic showcase a growing range of ethical jewellery – including gorgeous wedding and engagement rings – from inspirational designers and are dedicated to the principles of fair trade and sustainable living.
Valentine’s Special Offer: Win ethical Oria Jewellery by entering EcoChic’s competition
Cred Jewellery are proud to be the original ethical luxury jewellers. Cred have spent the last 10 years pioneering a responsible supply chain so customers can buy products that marry ethics and aesthetics.
They are compliant with the Kimberley Process but also plan to develop a fair trade process for precious stones.
Greg Valerio who founded Cred is spearheading a campaign to help the native Inuit Greenlanders fight for their rights to prospect for the ruby through small-scale, responsible mining just as their ancestors have done for centuries. Read more about the campaign Free Greenland Ruby
Brilliant Earth bring you conflict-free diamonds from Canada, ethical origin sapphires, and eco-friendly gold, platinum and sterling silver. They are dedicated to ensuring that every single gemstone is mined, cut, and finished in a socially and ethically responsible manner so you can rest assured your engagement or wedding ring is a true symbol of love.
Brilliant Earth explore the implications of our ring choices in this feature which tells us how to ‘Make love not war on Valentine’s Day’
Ingle & Rhode only buy diamonds guaranteed to be conflict-free and their diamond cutters and polishers enjoy good working conditions.
Their gold is fairly traded and mined without the use of cyanide or mercury.
Jane Runchman Jewellery designs and makes beautiful and elegant engagement rings and wedding rings from recycled gold and platinum.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Katie
Yes, there are so many great options these days for conflict free diamond rings — I was amazed at how gorgeous they can be! Who thought recycled could be so beautiful!