An ethically sourced engagement ring is an essential for socially aware couples, and fortunately, there are many gorgeous and reasonably priced options! When the time comes to pop the question, we want jewelry that looks amazing and is manufactured with fair trade or recycled gold, as well as diamonds and jewels that are conflict-free.
Why consider ethical engagement and wedding rings?
Concerns about the environment and human rights should be taken into account when selecting the ideal Engagement Rings band. Precious metal mining frequently has a negative impact on the environment, and the extraction of diamonds has a history of igniting violence. In addition, miners usually lack access to proper health and safety provisions as well as fair wages.
Conversely, ethical rings typically originate from vendors who support community development, guarantee safe working conditions and equitable compensation, and uphold fair trade norms. Sustainable solutions, such as lab-grown diamonds and recycled metals, lessen the negative effects conventional diamond and metal mining has on the environment and raise moral questions. When buying an Engagement Rings or wedding ring, businesses that uphold ethical standards also offer transparency in their supply chains, giving you piece of mind. You will be showing your loved one that you are committed to the environment and to all people when you choose ethical jewelry!
Our criteria:
For years, our editors have treasured their own ethical and sustainable jewelry. Our finest ethically committed jewelers have been put into this list so that your engagement or wedding ring can be gorgeous, conflict-free, and even reasonably priced. We regularly add new favorites that fit the following requirements to the list.
SUSTAINABLE | These ethical jewelry companies are committed to sustainability, using recycled gold and gemstones as well as other eco-friendly resources to create each piece of jewelry.
ETHICAL/CONFLICT-FREE | Whether they are grown in a lab or certified by the Kimberly process, all of these ethical jewelry businesses solely use conflict-free diamonds and gemstones in their jewelry.
AFFORDABLE | Since gold and diamond jewelry can be pricey, we’ve compiled a list of many reasonably priced products without compromising on ethics or quality.
1. Mejuri
Mejuri makes exquisite jewelry that is more than just “fine.” Apart from standard pieces, bands and engagement rings are available for every gender. Natural gemstones that are ethically sourced and conflict-free diamonds are utilized to makeEngagement Rings ; 80 percent of the gold used is recycled, and the remaining 20 percent is certified responsibly. See our Mejuri review to learn more. Production occurs worldwide, with safe and equitable working conditions for makers found in Canada, India, Italy, and Korea, among other places. Mejuri’s Empowerment Fund is another way that it supports nonbinary people and women. Invest in a ring that will inspire memories and impact for a lifetime.
Customer Review | “I have bought charms, necklaces, earrings, rings, and other items from Mejuri.” I use the pieces on a regular basis and both I and the recipients of my gifts appreciate their exceptional craftsmanship and ability to withstand wear and tear. Laura (Go through every review.)
2. Vintage Engagement Rings on Etsy
Putting products to longer use and using them for longer is one of the easiest methods to reduce waste and become more sustainable. And your jewelry may be a part of this! Engagement rings from all around the world are given a second chance at life on Etsy. You’re sure to find something you adore because customers may narrow down their selection by pricing, band material, shape, ideal gemstone, and more. Pebble and Polish, Cileone Jewelry, and Estate Antique Jewelry are a few of our favorites. Additionally, Etsy offsets all shipping-related carbon emissions, so each time you buy something, you’re helping the earth.
Customer Review | “What a stunning ring! It was the perfect anniversary present.” Excellent, incredibly fast shipment and helpful service. Strongly advised!” – Anderson Buzz (Read every review.)
3. Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth is a trailblazer in the ethical jewelry space, having been among the first to offer traceability and consistently surpassing industry standards for conflict-free stones. They follow stringent rules and guidelines for mining procedures to guarantee that the sources of their jewels are morally and ecologically sound. You won’t have any trouble tracking down your Brilliant Earth gem if you’re concerned about the origin of your diamond. All claims, whether they be for natural diamonds, recycled gold, or recycled diamonds, have been independently audited and validated, so you know you can trust them!
Customer Review | “There are 10 distinct styles, multiple carats, cuts, and colors of diamonds available from Brilliant Earth. They have the widest selection of lab-created colored diamonds and lab-diamonds. – Your Expert in Diamonds (Read every review.)
4. Aurate
When it comes to buying jewelry, Aurate thinks you shouldn’t have to pick between doing good, fair price, and outstanding quality. Beyond the Kimberley Process, the brand monitors each natural diamond from the mine to its nearby New York factory to guarantee that it comes from sources that are verifiably ethical and environmentally sound; if you like, you can also select lab-grown diamonds. Each ring is accompanied by an authenticity certificate, and Aurate consistently donates a portion of its sales to organizations like Mastery Charter and She Should Run.
Customer Review | “For a “small” ring, this one was much prettier and heavier than I anticipated.” Very good quality. Judith F. (Go through every review.)
5. Bario Neal
Jeweler Bario Neal, who is located in Brooklyn and Philadelphia and has long supported LGBTQ+ rights and global marriage equality, can create personalized Engagement Rings that are genuinely expressive of our relationships, from personalizations to repurposing heirloom materials. For its handcrafted items, the women-owned business also employs traceable stones, recyclable metals, and Fairmined certified gold. Furthermore, we are unaware of anybody who could create a cluster ring quite like this. We chatted with Bario Neal to find some useful questions to aid you on your trip if you’re not sure where to begin when looking for rings!
Customer Testimonial | “I’ve been a Bario Neal customer since before they opened a store.” They consistently deliver on values, quality, and design, and I own a range of products from them, from elegant to whimsical. I wish every industry had a company like Bario Neal. Then, we could shop with confidence knowing that we were buying high-quality goods and causing minimal damage. – Amanda F. (Go through every review.)
6. Catbird
For the past eighteen years, Catbird has operated out of Brooklyn, and the company is still expanding. Every piece is crafted by hand in a tiny Brooklyn studio utilizing recycled gold and conflict-free stones. In addition to the Catbird Wedding line, a range of designers, including Erstwhile, Gillian Conroy, and Kataoka, create the engagement rings in its inventory. Taking possession of one of these stunning and magnificent pieces, which are named after princesses, swans, and fairytales, will make your lover feel like royalty.
Client Testimonial | “Everything that Catbird sends me is an occasion.” The jewelry itself is polished, exquisite, delicate, and surprisingly sturdy. It is also attractively packed with pleasant additions. (As a teacher, I wear my necklace and Engagement Rings every day.) I merely wanted to express my gratitude for your meticulousness. Your team as a whole is excellent—from concept to execution to packaging and delivery.Loved from a satisfied customer. – D. (Read every review.)
7. Taylor & Hart
We adore Taylor & Hart’s completely custom process, which guides you through the creation of your ideal piece. The company believes that by acquiring an ethically designed ring, one of the most memorable moments of your life can also be a little step towards a better world. They go above and beyond the Kimberley Process to assure that the diamonds are conflict-free. In just four weeks, Taylor & Hart will collaborate closely with you during a personal consultation to create the ideal ring.
Customer Review | “The delivery was made on schedule, and the entire process was really easy.” The finished product is flawless, and the customer service was excellent in answering any queries. I would definitely suggest them! – Nick (Read every review.)
8. James Allen
The four creative brains behind James Allen transformed the company from an idea to the world’s largest privately held online retailer of diamonds since 2006. You may confidently build the Engagement Rings of your dreams with access to over 200,000 conflict-free diamonds, every type of setting, pre-made designer collections, and even loose diamonds. Better more, James Allen provides real-time examination and round-the-clock customer support so you can see what gemologists see. If for any reason you’re not happy, there’s a 100% money-back guarantee. There’s no denying the reason James Allen has developed into one of the world’s most respected conflict-free merchants.
Customer Review | “At a brick and mortar store, you can never choose diamonds from a wider selection. I created the ring exactly how I had imagined it, choosing my stone by hand. It turned out beautifully. James Allen, thank you so much! – Nygil F. (Go through every review.)
9. Vrai
Vrai (truth in French, gold in Spanish) is a company dedicated to transparency and excellence, crafting engagement rings without any markups. The collection strikes the ideal mix between basic and distinctive with pieces featuring stacking Engagement Rings, black or white diamonds, and different stone sizes. Reverting to the basics has never been simpler thanks to this American-made product, which is crafted with lab-created diamonds from Diamond Foundry.
10. Sofia Kaman
Sofia Kaman offers a wide selection of environmentally friendly Engagement Rings. The company’s offerings include romantic, modern, and everything in between, whether you’re looking for an ancient jewel that won’t add to your environmental footprint or a band made of repurposed metal. In Los Angeles, they are all made by hand. Sofia Kaman obtains its diamonds from dealers who adhere to the Kimberley Process and ensure that the stones are conflict-free. Alternately, you can collaborate with the business to design a unique ring with a lab-grown diamond produced using sustainable energy!
11. Valerie Madison
We suggest Valerie Madison’s stunning alternative engagement rings if traditional diamonds aren’t your thing. The brand uses lab-produced Moissanite, recycled gold and diamonds, and jewels sourced responsibly to create their rings and bands. Pick from a variety of pre-made stunners or design your own using lovely alternatives like salt and pepper diamonds, teal sapphires, or lavender spinel (see previous custom orders here). To further reduce your carbon footprint, if you live close to Seattle, you may also arrange for a consultation or pick-up at Valerie Madison’s new showroom in the Madrona area.
Customer Review | “My spouse receives praises for his wedding band, which we purchased from Valerie Madison, every single day! We feel so fortunate to have such a fantastic band. The entire procedure was made very easy by the VM team, and their jewelry is all quite beautiful. – Jordan Field (Read every review.)
12. Aether Diamonds
Notwithstanding its New York City location, Aether Diamonds is not a part of the well-known Diamond District. This is due to the fact that Aether actually produces diamonds out of thin air. After being certified as a B corp, this company removes carbon from the air and uses clean energy-powered reactors and hydrocarbon synthesis. In just a few weeks, contemporary alchemy was born! After that, the diamonds are set in environmentally friendly environments, and even the packaging is composed of vegan or biodegradable materials. Check out Aether for opulent diamonds that stand out (haha!) from the competition.
13. Automic Gold
We support Automic Gold in its efforts to redefine what inclusivity means. From its studio in New York City, this queer-owned firm creates a wide range of exquisite jewelry that is sustainable, including as necklaces, earrings, and of course wedding Engagement Rings. All the materials are fairly priced, ethically mined, naturally occurring diamonds, certified recycled gold, and gemstones! There are rings available for every gender, size, and style, with customisation, engraving, and inclusive sizing selections ranging from 2 to 16.
14. WWAKE
The goal of WWAKE, founded by Wing Yau in 2012, is to “merge art with the intimacy of jewelry.” The company’s distinctive collection of wedding and engagement rings best embodies this philosophy. WWAKE offers solutions for every hand (or spouse!), whether you’re more into massive rings with a statement diamond or little bands with stunning gemstones. To minimize its carbon footprint, each piece is produced by hand in New York City. You may visit its Brooklyn workshop, schedule a virtual consultation, or view its inventory at Catbird, another of our favorite places to get romantic jewelry.
15. Jennie Kwon Designs
Jennie Kwon Designs is perfect for you if you adore art-deco interiors, jewelry from the Victorian era, and Grecian style. Focusing on “thoughtful jewelry with a soul,” this eco-friendly firm offers hundreds of stunning pieces as well as made-to-order options for that someone important in your life. You can feel secure knowing that only conflict-free, ethically sourced stones, fair trade, and fairmined gold are utilized while supporting this woman-owned and run company.
Client Evaluation | “Hey, I just wanted to express my gratitude for my stunning Engagement Rings—it is truly perfect in every way. We had an absolutely amazing experience coming in and finding this thanks to you. Many thanks for everything!– Unidentified (Read every review.)
