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Looking for the best ethical engagement rings to help illustrate your heartwarming love story in a dazzling conflict-free sparkle? Get ready to fall in love! We made a list of the best conflict-free engagement rings of 2023, including some epic ethical diamond alternatives created in the lab!
P.s. if you’re looking for even more in the sustainable jewelry world, check out our round-up of the most eco-friendly jewelry brands of 2023!
Best Ethical Engagement Rings & Diamonds From Conflict-Free Brands.
Granted, diamonds may be forever, but deciding the right kind of sustainable diamond or jewel to put on that finger might take nearly as long as well. Finding an ethical engagement ring that’s equal parts beautiful, unique, and conscious is not that easy. Not to fret, the team here at SKL spent hours upon hours vetting the best ethical engagement ring brands out there!
By now, we are all aware of the inhumane practices that hide behind the sparkle of most diamonds. Unlike conflict-free diamonds, regular options have funded brutal wars in countries such as Angola, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Bloodshed, loss of life, and shocking human rights abuses are common themes in these diamond-rich territories.
For socially conscious couples, ethical engagement rings are the only possible option. But that doesn’t mean you must only stick with a few set styles.
In fact, our research proves that conflict-free engagement rings are some of the most dazzling of them all!
Conflict-free diamond solitaires, halos, and three-stone rings do exist – and they are absolutely gorgeous. If your taste leans toward modern and minimalist stones, ethical diamond alternatives like moissanite, lab-grown diamonds, or trendy salt-and-pepper diamonds are for you!
For more unique options, we have show-stopping colored gemstones like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Finally, antique and recycled engagement rings will always be super unique, affordable, and have a story to tell.
No matter your preference, all sustainable engagement ring options are meticulously designed to be graceful, balanced, and wearable, with unforgettably unique accents.
Here’s our round-up of the best ethical jewelry brands for sustainable engagement rings we know you’ll love.
What is an ethically sourced engagement ring?
To put it simply, ethical engagement rings are made with materials obtained in a way that is fair to both the workers and the environment. Ethically sourced diamonds, for example, are typically mined in a way that does not involve forced labor, child labor, or other exploitative practices. Some engagement rings may also be made using recycled metals or other materials, reducing their environmental impact.
Why do ethical engagement rings matter?
Unfortunately, it is no secret that the diamond industry is corrupt and inhumane. Aside from being linked to environmental degradation, such as deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution, the diamond industry has been associated with exploitative practices. These practices include but are not limited to, forced labor, child labor, and hazardous working conditions, particularly in countries where labor laws are not strictly enforced.
The continent of Africa is known for having the worst working conditions and wages as low as $1/day for miners. The term “blood diamonds” in the early 2000s perfectly described the Trade that Still Fuels Human Suffering to this day.
What are the best conflict-free diamonds?
The best conflict-free diamonds are available in many options. Canadian diamonds are mined under strict regulations that ensure ethical and environmentally responsible practices. Many Canadian diamond mines are certified by the CanadaMark program, which assures that the diamonds on the dazzling ethical engagement rings are responsibly sourced.
Lab-grown diamonds (one of our favorites) are created using advanced technology and do not involve mining. As a result, they are considered a conflict-free and sustainable alternative to mined diamonds.
Kimberley Process-certified diamonds are popular ethical options. The Kimberley Process is an international certification scheme that aims to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds. While the effectiveness of this process has been criticized, diamonds that are certified under the Kimberley Process are considered to be conflict-free.
Last but not least, vintage or second-hand diamonds. Choosing a vintage or second-hand diamond is another option for those who want to ensure their purchase does not support unethical mining practices. These diamonds have already been mined, so purchasing them does not contribute to new mining efforts.
How can I tell if an engagement ring is ethical?
Ethical engagement rings are fairly easy to spot. First, the certifications will be right there on the website or kindly explained to you by the jeweler. Many conflict-free engagement rings have a certification or guarantee that the materials used were obtained ethically and sustainably. Some common certifications include CanadaMark, Fairmined, and Fairtrade Gold.
If the brand has no information about its certifications, sustainability, or ethics – you can be sure that they are not ethical. Ethical brands would never hide this information; they are extremely proud of their work!
If your engagement ring features lab-grown diamonds, then it’s certainly ethical as it does not involve the same environmental and labor concerns.
What does the Kimberly process cert mean? Why Is It Limited?
You’ve probably seen that the Kimberly process certification backs up most ethical engagement rings. The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) is an international agreement established in 2003 to prevent the trade of conflict diamonds or “blood diamonds,” which are diamonds that are mined in war zones and sold to finance armed conflict against governments.
Under the Kimberley Process, participating countries agree to implement a set of standards for the import and export of rough diamonds and to issue certificates for shipments of rough diamonds. The goal is to ensure that rough diamonds are not sourced from conflict zones and that the profits from diamond mining do not fund armed conflict or other human rights abuses.
Are lab-grown diamonds eco-friendly and conflict free?
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are generally considered to be both eco-friendly and conflict-free. These diamonds are created in a laboratory using advanced technology. Bonus? Lab-grown does not involve the same environmental impact as traditional diamond mining, such as deforestation, soil erosion, and water pollution.
Moreover, since these conflict-free engagement rings with lab-grown diamonds are created in a controlled environment, there is no risk of human rights abuses associated with mining, such as forced labor or hazardous working conditions. This makes them a more ethical and sustainable alternative to traditionally mined diamonds.
This post is about sustainable engagement rings from ethical jewelry brands.
Best Ethical Engagement Rings With Conflict-Free Diamonds
1. Brilliant Earth
Brilliant Earth is one of the top leaders in ethically sourced fine jewelry. What makes them so coveted amongst soon-to-be brides? Their Beyond Conflict Free™ Diamond Engagement rings! On their virtual shelves, you can find over 20,000 diamonds that offer unparalleled transparency of a diamond’s origin.
Interesting fact: Jewelers that offer “conflict-free” diamonds limit themselves to the Kimberley Process definition. Brilliant Earth, on the other hand, offers an insanely big diamond selection of Brilliant Earth Blockchain Diamonds, which includes over 8 thousand natural diamond options and 3 thousand sustainably rated lab-grown diamond options!
Their ethical jewelry line also includes stunning tennis bracelets, conflict-free diamond stud earrings, and an array of gemstone earrings in the most beautiful hues under $1000!
Price Range: $75-$10,000+
Best Sellers: Beyond Conflict Free™ Diamond Engagement rings and Wedding rings
Ethics: Beyond Conflict Free™, Sustainably Rated Lab Diamonds, Recycled Gold and Diamonds, Independently audited and verified, Sedex Member, Responsible Jewelry Council-certified, woman-owned, Carbon Neutral, Verified Origin Traceability
Shipping: Worldwide shipping / free shipping & return shipping on all orders from the US, Canada, UK, and Australia
Best Ethical Engagement Rings:
2. Catbird NYC
For the last 18 years, the ethical jewelry brand Catbird NYC has been creating striking recycled engagement rings as well as fair trade gold options by hand in a small Brooklyn studio.
Of course, all of the stones are conflict-free!
What’s more, they work with different artisans, such as Erstwhile, Gillian Conroy, and Kataoka, to channel their inner creativity into beautiful ethical diamond rings that are meant to be loved for a lifetime.
Price Range: $225–$13,400
Best Sellers: Fine jewelry and conflict-free engagement rings
Ethics: 95% recycled 14k gold, recycled or lab-created diamonds, equity pledge, made in the US, donations
Shipping: New York, Worldwide Shipping
Best Recycled Engagement Rings:
3. Vrai
Vrai’s (truth in French, gold in Spanish) instantly recognizable minimalist aesthetic makes them one of the best ethical jewelry brands of 2023. Their curated collection of white and black ethical diamond rings, which come in a slew of stone sizes, is sustainably made in the USA with lab-created diamonds from Diamond Foundry.
Which, by the way, is also backed up by Leonardo Dicaprio. Not sure if your preferred sustainable engagement ring is the right option? You can always book a complimentary appointment, in person or online, with Vrai’s diamond experts.
Price Range: $195–$6600
Best Sellers: Oval Engagement rings and fine jewelry, etc.
Ethics: Conflict-free lab-grown diamonds, zero carbon emissions during production, donations
Shipping: USA-based, Worldwide shipping
4. Aurate
Aurate is an ethical jewelry brand that does things a bit differently. That’s mainly because they go beyond the Kimberley Process.
They take it upon themselves to track every single natural diamond from the mine to their NY-based studio to make sure that the stones have ethical and environmentally-friendly origins. In fact, every single design goes through a rigorous 5-step testing process by their in-house team so you can shine your brightest and wear it worry-free.
But If you aren’t fond of real stones, you can also opt for an ethical engagement ring adorned with lab-grown diamonds. Either way, the setting is crafted with ethically sourced and sustainable 14K and 18K solid gold and vermeil.
Price Range: $65–$6600
Best Sellers: Very minimalist ethical jewelry
Ethics: Female-founded business, traceability, donations
Shipping: New York, Worldwide Shipping
Minimalist Ethical Diamond Rings:
5. Taylor and Hart UK
Taylor and Hart’s ethical engagement ring collection is designed to be unique and reflective of the customer’s individual style. You can work directly with the brand’s expert designers to create a one-of-a-kind sustainable engagement ring that is tailored to their specific taste and budget.
All styles are created with care in their own London workshop with precious metals such as platinum, gold, and white gold. They also use ethically sourced diamonds and gemstones, including sapphires, rubies, and emeralds as well as lab-grown diamonds.
What’s more, Taylor and Hart use recycled metals whenever possible and minimize waste through efficient manufacturing techniques.
Price Range: $650-$13,495
Best Sellers: Custom-made diamond engagement rings
Ethics: Fairtrade or recycled metals & diamonds, The Kimberley Process Certification, sustainable manufacturing techniques
Shipping: UK Based, Worldwide Shipping
6. Bario Neal
Bario Neal is an ethical custom jewelry designer and a proud supporter of LGBTQ+ rights and worldwide marriage equality. Their ethical engagement rings are created with a variety of eco-friendly materials, including recycled metals and responsibly sourced, traceable gemstones as well as Fairmined certified gold.
Plus, Bario Neal works with small-scale miners and fair-trade gemstone suppliers to ensure that their materials are sourced ethically and sustainably. From personalizations to reworking existing sets, let’s just say they are pros at creating future heirlooms that can be passed down.
Price Range: $110–$24,000+
Best Sellers: Customized ethical Engagement rings
Ethics: Female-owned business, Fairmined Certified & recycled gold, ethical & traceable materials, donations
Shipping: Worldwide
Responsibly-Sourced Wedding Rings:
7. Mejuri
You’ve probably seen the ethical jewelry brand Mejuri dominating the feeds of most influencers over the past 6 years. In addition to gorgeous everyday pieces, you can find conflict-free engagement rings and sustainable wedding bands for everyone.
Their recycled engagement rings are adorned with ethically sourced natural gemstones and conflict-free diamonds and are crafted with 80 percent recycled gold. The remaining 20 percent in these ethical engagement rings are certified responsible to boot.
The collection is ethically made in counties like India, Italy, and Korea. What’s more, Mejuri openly supports and gives back to BIPOC women and nonbinary people via their Empowerment Fund.
Price Range: $48–$2500+
Best Sellers: Affordable engagement rings for all genders
Ethics: Conflict-free diamonds, ethically sourced gemstones & recycled/ certified ethical metals, fair working conditions, donations
Shipping: USA-based, worldwide shipping
Ethical Wedding Bands:
8. Jennie Kwon
If you are as obsessed with art-deco spaces and Victorian-era jewelry as we are, you’ll fall in love with Jennie Kwon’s ethical diamond ring collection. They are, after all, “full of romance and magic.”
There is a sustainable engagement ring for every taste, from made-to-order pieces to beautiful pre-made options made of conflict-free stones, fair trade, and Fairmined gold.
Plus, we love supporting women-owned and women-led brands with such strong ethics.
Price Range: $175–$10,500
Best Sellers: Antique-inspired engagement rings
Ethics: Fair-mined gold, ethically sourced & conflict-free stones, made in the US
Shipping: USA Based, Worldwide Shipping
9. Valley Rose
Valley Rose’s conflict-free engagement rings are mesmerizing, to say the least. The luxury ethical jewelry brand uses an intricate technique called lost-wax casting as well as sustainable materials like fair mined gold and SCS-certified conflict-free diamonds. Plus, they, too, offer an Aether collection crafted using carbon extracted from the atmosphere!
To further reinforce its sustainability pledge, Valley Rose partnered with WD Diamonds, the world’s first sustainably rated 100% climate-neutral diamond manufacturer. This means that whether you prefer one of their pre-existing ethical engagement rings or want something completely a la carte, your purchase will have the lowest possible impact.
Additionally, all ethical engagement rings are guaranteed by a lifetime warranty.
Price Range: $420-$6,785.00
Best Sellers: Celestial-inspired Engagement rings and Wedding rings
Ethics: Recycled and ethically sourced materials, Fair mined gold, and SCS-certified conflict-free diamonds. Donations, Recycled + Compostable Packaging
Shipping: USA, Worldwide Shipping
Unique Ethical Diamond Rings:
10. Do Amore
For Do Amore, conflict-free ethical engagement rings are “just the start.” All of their verifiably sustainable engagement rings, wedding bands, and jewelry actively impact a person’s life forever by bringing clean water to their community.
So along with your new, lustrous setting, you’ll also receive information about your water project and the community you helped to support. This includes GPS coordinates and a photo of the actual water well you helped make possible!
All pieces are American-made and handcrafted to perfection with natural diamonds and gemstones that are conflict-free and exceed the Kimberley process, with three distinct ways to verify your stone’s origin. All you have to do is check the accompanying blockchain ledger!
Price Range: $719 – $30,000+
Best Sellers: halo diamond engagement rings
Ethics: Traceable, ethical diamonds, recycled diamonds and gemstones, recycled precious gemstones, sustainable packaging
Shipping: USA-based, ships to Canada, UK, New Zealand, and Australia
11. Mia Donna
Mia Donna is well known for their gorgeous lab-grown diamonds. In addition to their use of lab-grown diamonds, MiaDonna also uses recycled precious metals in their jewelry designs, reducing the need for new mining and minimizing environmental impact.
You can freely personalize your jewelry online by selecting the stone type, shape and size, recycled metal type, ring size, and optional extras.
The B-certified corporation also donates a portion of its profits to The Greener Diamond Foundation, which supports communities affected by diamond mining and works to promote ethical and sustainable practices in the industry.
Price Range: $595-$3,374.00
Best Sellers: Engagement rings and conflict-free fine jewelry, etc.
Ethics: Conflict-free lab-grown diamonds, lab-created gemstones, and recycled precious metals made in the US, donations
Shipping: USA-based, Worldwide shipping
12. Wwake
With a mission to “merge art with the intimacy of jewelry,” Wwake’s dazzling lineup of unique, conflict-free engagement rings and sustainable wedding bands is equal parts ethical and inherently stylish.
Every beautifully crafted piece is handmade in its NYC studio to keep its carbon footprint as low as possible. In fact, they use recycled metals in their jewelry designs and work with small, family-owned businesses to support local communities and minimize their environmental impact!
What’s more, the ethical women-owned jewelry company thrives on giving back to marginalized communities. So rest assured that your recycled & fair-mined gold bands and recycled engagement rings were consciously designed following the #WWAKEethos.
Price Range:$140–$32,046
Best Sellers: Dainty earrings and super slim sustainable engagement rings
Ethics: Woman-owned business, made in the US, Recycled diamonds & natural stones, recycled & Fairmined gold, fair wages, donations,
Shipping: New York, Worldwide Shipping
Conflict-Free Engagement Rings:
13. Sofia Kaman
For the ethical jewelry brand Sofia Kaman, the beauty lies in their unique engagement rings and boho and vintage engagement rings. You can choose antique gems and beautiful bands made of recycled metal knowing that they were all handcrafted in Los Angeles.
Of course, the sustainable engagement rings feature stones sourced from dealers who abide by the Kimberley Process. Or, if you have the budget, you can work with Sofia Kaman’s team directly to create a custom ethical diamond ring using a lab-grown diamond that was made with renewable energy!
Price Range: $350–$39,700
Best Sellers: Sustainable engagement rings, Wedding rings, and Fine Jewelry
Ethics: Conflict-free diamonds & lab-grown diamonds, made in the USA,
Shipping: USA-based, Worldwide shipping
14. Aether Diamonds
To put it simply, Aether Diamonds’ ethical jewelry line can only be described as modern alchemy. The B-certified corporation crafts its diamonds out of, well, air!
The carbon is taken out of the air, only to go through hydrocarbon synthesis and clean energy-powered reactors. The conflict-free diamonds are clustered together in sustainably sourced settings. They offer a range of engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, and other jewelry pieces designed to be timeless and contemporary.
Plus, all ethical engagement rings come dressed in eco-friendly packaging.
Price Range: $700–$26.898+
Best Sellers: Custom engagement rings and carbon-made loose diamonds
Ethics: Eco-friendly and recycled materials, Certified B Corp, responsibly sourced & fair-mined metals, sustainable packaging, fair wages
Shipping: USA
15. Automic Gold
Automic Gold is lauded as one of the most inclusive ethical diamond ring brands for a very good reason. Their recycled engagement rings come in a wide range of sizes, from 0-30. This makes it easier for people of all sizes to find jewelry that fits comfortably and looks great.
The queer-owned brand handcrafts sustainable fine jewelry out of its NYC studio using certified recycled gold and ethically sourced gems and stones.
You can also opt for everyday jewelry like minimalist hoop earrings, delicate chain necklaces, to bold statement rings. To top it all off, Automic Gold offers customization and special engravings.
Price Range: $119–$1250
Best Sellers: Size- & gender-inclusive ethical engagement rings
Ethics: Size and gender-inclusive, recycled gold, ethically sourced gems & stones, recyclable packaging
Shipping: USA-based, Worldwide shipping
This Post Was About Ethical Engagement Rings.
From traditional conflict-free engagement rings to modern recycled engagement rings, the brands below will have something special for every socially conscious couple. Plus, there is a range of stunning and affordable options for every budget!
This post was graciously sponsored by Brilliant Earth. As always, we only work with brands that we stand behind. Would you like to sponsor one of our sustainable round-ups? Contact us here.
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