Hunting for a classic diamond solitaire or looking for an unusual alternative? Take a look at this little guide – with all-ethical picks.

Ethical Engagement Rings

How & What To Choose

If you’ve read the previous article about sustainable gold, you’ll know that BEAUTYCALYPSE will only choose jewellers on an ethical mission.

That’s why you’ll find that only a select few of our favourite ethical jewellers’ designs are illustrating this little guide with ideas on how to choose an (ethical) engagement ring as a true symbol of all things pure and beautiful that we mean when we say “love”.
 

Classic: Solitaires

For the classy and traditional type, nothing beats a solitaire which, depending on the design, can be perfectly unisex.

While yellow gold is definitely back, and pink gold is all over the place, it’s white gold that highlights the purity of a diamond – non-conflict or lab-grown of course – the best. There is simply something so elevated and pure about a solitaire set in white gold as opposed to the playful touch added by rose gold or the very traditional-looking yellow gold.

Solitaire rings are available in a variety of designs from minimalistic to majestic.

BRILLIANT MINIMALISM: Hargreaves Stockholm, Ethical Fine Jewellery Collection:
Fairmined Eco Gold and cultivated diamond solitaire rings Vär (€9,200) and Fredag (€11,950), available in yellow and/ or red gold

FIT FOR A QUEEN: Vieri, High Jewellery Collection:
Lily Ring, ethical/ responsible white gold and non-conflict diamond, price upon request

Non-Conventional Engagement Rings

If you and your loved one aren’t exactly the classic type but don’t want to go as crazy as to choosing non-traditional materials either, don’t be shy to look outside the engagement ring box.

Many couples are happy choosing contemporary and non-traditional designs that can include unexpected coloured gemstones as well as unusual or playful styles.

While diamonds became increasingly popular in the 20th century, other precious gemstones have been used for centuries and offer an interesting palette to choose from.
Very classic choices are rubies (symbol of passion), blue sapphires (symbol of fidelity), or emeralds (true love, luck and happiness). Sapphires are generally an interesting precious stone as they are available in a multitude of different colours from sweet and subtle “watercolour” to solid and bright pinks, purples, reds, blues as well as shades of green, orange and yellow.

Choosing a gemstone that’s a future bride’s favourite gemstone or a birthstone she really loves may be another good idea.

Again, lab-grown gemstones are a solid choice for a conflict-free treasure – and don’t worry, they don’t look “fake” or like rhinestones. At all.

ORGANIC SHAPE: Quite Quiet, Transitions Ring (lab-grown white sapphires, Fairtrade Gold), €1,890

ON FIRE: Hargreaves Stockholm, Ethical Fine Jewellery Collection:
Cultivated orange sapphire and diamonds ring, Fairmined Eco Gold (available in red, white and yellow Fairmined Eco gold), €11.950

TRUE LOVE AND PASSION: Vieri, Fine Jewellery, ‘Green Raspberry’ ring from the Candy Collection:
Emerald and rubies ring, price upon request

Antique or Heirloom

Vintage can be seen as an eco-friendly option as well.

But whether it’s a real heritage piece from your family or something gorgeous you found at a local antique specialist – before giving an antique ring to your beloved, be aware that many people believe that pre-loved stones have “memories” of their former owners and can bring bad luck. Make sure your future spouse harbours no such beliefs, before kneeling in front of her with a precious Victorian Toi et moi ring.

A private photo: heirloom sapphire ring with diamonds.

Custom-Made, Fun & Creative

Apart from having a jeweller create a custom ring for you, you can explore sustainable materials (wood, steel) or processes (choosing the eco-friendlier options for 3D printing) and just generally go “overboard” if your couple is definitely of the off-beat type.

Ask yourself: does an engagement ring need to have a gemstone? We are in love with these 3D-modelled Fairtrade Gold rings by Quite Quiet available in a dainty as well as in a very bold shape.

FACETS OF LOVE: Quite Quiet, 
Facets Rings (Fairtrade Gold), No. 3 (€1,190) and No. 1 (€2,790)