Choosing Eco-Friendly Wedding Rings
When looking at the various alternatives for wedding rings, there are many things to consider.
The type of ring material and jewels can vary widely from wood to yellow gold, white gold, silver, platinum, from diamonds, rubies, sapphires, tanzanite, opals to any number of choices.
Many couples prefer to go with simple diamonds and gold rings while others are more elaborate.
Here are some things to consider:
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Give each other family heirloom rings instead of buying new ones.
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Recycle old jewelry or purchase recycled precious metals and stones.
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A eco-friendly jeweler can transform an old vintage ring or reset gems to make a new ring in whatever style you want.
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Some couples have even had coins melted down and turned into rings.
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Consider wood or coconut rings.
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If you choose diamonds, be careful and ensure you are getting "Conflict-free" diamonds.
Make sure your jeweler can certify that the diamonds are conflict-free using the Kimberley Process.
The "Kimberley Process Certification Scheme" or KPCS is a process introduced by the UN to end the practice of trading "conflict diamonds" or "blood diamonds" to fund war and conflict in foreign countries.
Any well-established, reputable jeweler should be able to tell you about a diamond's history and guarantee that it's conflict-free.
Shop at a retailer that clearly advertises that they sell conflict-free jewelry.
Note that there are many different factors that can effect the price of a diamond; being conflict-free isn't one of them.
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If you work with a Certified Green Jeweler you can do so with the knowledge that we have reviewed their practices and know they are what they say they are.
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Consider alternative types of wedding rings. The mining of gold leaves arsenic residues and other remnants of mining behind.
Diamond mining has negative environmental consequences as well.
New ideas on how to make eco-friendly wedding choices emerge regularly.
Please
Contact Us with your suggestions.
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