Choosing your wedding ring is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Your ring is a symbol of your undying love and commitment to your partner as well as something you’ll wear everyday. With this in mind, you want to make sure your ring fits well on your finger and with your life’s values. Unfortunately, today’s methods for mining precious metals and gems are both ecologically and socially unsustainable . There are, however, a few ways to forgo this dirty industry altogether and find rings that are practical, beautiful and earth-friendly:
Keep the Love Alive — Many jewelers offer a vintage ring selection with many classic, timeless choices. Vintage rings have become quite popular because of the beauty and craftsmanship they often exhibit. If you are trying to save money, try a consignment or pawnshop. Check often as their inventory is always changing.
Pass it Down — If you have access to family jewelry, consider using these as your wedding rings. It’s a wonderful way to feel connected with your kin, a great way to save money and saves the Earth from unnecessary mining. A win-win for everyone!
Have a Meltdown — Sort through your jewelry collection for any gold pieces you no longer wear and have it made into a wedding ring. Or take your grandma’s old ring and have it reworked to fit your personal style. There are many talented jewelers who do custom work and will help you create a one-of-a-kind ring.
Buy Recycled Rings — Choose to buy your ring from a jeweler who exclusively uses recycled gold and other recycled metals to make their jewelry. You’ll find that many artists are opting to do this today. According to GreenKarat there is enough gold already mined to meet the current demand for 50 years.
Buy Responsibly Mined Metal — Some mining companies are taking steps to reduce their ecological impact with more sustainable practices. There are certification standards in the works by a few groups to help ensure that mining companies are held accountable. Until these standards are put into place, do your research and ask lots of questions. The more you know about the mining process the more you’ll be able to ask when it comes time to buy your rings.
You have the power to change things through your purchasing decisions. And since ecologically sound practices are on everyone’s mind today, it’s much easier to buy according to your values than ever before. Don’t you want your ring to not only symbolize your infinite love of your honey, but also your love for the planet and the many people on it?
Stay tuned to take a look at why diamonds may not be a girl’s best friend after all.
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