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If you’re on a mission to find the best ethical wedding bands for your special day, this roundup is for you! The jewelry industry is shady, as we all know, and the lack of transparency aggravates us to no end.
That’s why the SKL team scoured the wide web to find the most dazzling conflict-free wedding bands for every taste. No shady stuff here, folks.
In this guide, we will explore options ranging from stunning diamond eternity bands to simple options made of recycled materials.
We also found some amazing textured bands for alternative brides. Read on to find 2024’s best sustainable jewelry options for her and him.
P.S. You may also like our top picks for the best Ethical Engagement Rings From The Best Conflict-Free Brands!
Best Ethical Wedding Bands For Your Eco Wedding
You’re knee-deep in wedding plans, navigating through the (bright blue) sea of choices for the big day. Wedding bands for her and him, bridesmaid dresses, invitations, venues, and honeymoon reservations.
Your “to-do” list looks probably longer than a college essay.
But hey, you’ve got this! Let’s tackle one thing at a time.
Now, we all love the idea of dazzling tings on our fingers, but have you ever thought about the story behind them?
While those traditional rings have a tale to tell for sure, it’s not always a good one.
In most cases, bands are the result of mining practices that can harm ecosystems, communities, and even human rights. I was shocked to find out that extracting a kilogram of diamonds contributes approximately 800,000 kg of CO2e.
Unlike 2024’s most beautiful, conflict-free wedding bands, traditional options are adorned with non-tracable stones.
We have no idea whether or not the extraction of metals and stones has contributed to deforestation, water pollution, and unsafe working conditions.
So, what can we, the consumers, do to take a stand against the unethical practices in the jewelry industry? Choosing ethically sourced wedding band options is a great way to start.
From recycled wedding rings and women’s options adorned with lab-grown diamonds to conflict-free textured wedding bands, the options are endless.
Check out our roundup below to find your “forever” ring.
What are ethical wedding bands?
Ethical wedding bands are made responsibly with materials that are kind to the planet and the people crafting them.
In most cases, conflict-free wedding bands are constructed using recycled metals, so no digging up new stuff from the Earth.
Plus, the gemstones on these bands are sourced ethically, meaning no shady business is involved.
This can easily be verified because you can actually trace the journey of your diamond from its source. Whether it’s diamonds, sapphires, rubies, or emeralds, knowing the journey of your gem is so important.
Why are conflict-free wedding bands important?
When a sustainable wedding band is labeled “conflict-free,” it means your ring’s bling hasn’t contributed to any war, violence, or human rights abuses.
Unlike “traditional” options, conflict-free wedding brands are adorned with gemstones that have been sourced responsibly, often with a focus on fair labor and environmentally friendly processes.
You’ve probably heard the term “blood diamonds” before. These diamonds finance violence, leading to human rights abuses and suffering. From child labor to forced labor, these dazzling gemstones carry the weight of a dark past, stained with death.
For instance, The Revolutionary Front (RUF) started a lot of the wars over conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone. During these ongoing conflicts that lasted for over 10 years, more than 50,000 deaths were documented. Not to mention the displacement of over 2 million people.
So, if you want to stay far away from this unspeakable act of violence, it would be best to choose ethical jewelry wedding bands that have been verified by third parties.
The Best Ethical Wedding Bands In 2024
1. Brilliant Earth
When it comes to sealing a love story that sparkles not only with romance but also with ethical brilliance, Brilliant Earth should be on your eco radar.
With a mission to create a more ethical luxury jewelry industry, Brilliant Earth has been a steadfast advocate for Beyond Conflict-Free™ diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, ethical engagement rings, and fine jewelry.
Some are even traceable through blockchain tech!
Brilliant Earth suppliers adhere to a robust chain of custody protocol to verify that all diamonds can be tracked and segregated by origin.
The diamonds are sourced from mine operators who follow internationally recognized labor, trade, and environmental standards. Read our full review here.
You can find sustainable men’s wedding rings as well as dozens of recycled wedding bands made of recycled gold and silver.
Only a tiny percentage of their metals are non-recycled. We’re talking hundreds of options.
Price Range: From $320-$17,500+
Ethics: Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC) Certified, FSC Certified, Sedex Member, Beyond Conflict Free™ Diamonds, 100% recycled precious metals, sustainable packaging, gives back
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
Our Favorites from Brilliant Earth:
2. Aurate
To create their gorgeous fine jewelry, the women-owned luxury brand Aurate ensures that every single design goes through a rigorous 5-step testing process by their expert in-house team of hands of 7th-generation jewelers.
Also, their sustainable wedding bands are not just ethical and conflict-free. They go beyond the Kimberley Process!
So much so that they can track every single natural diamond from the mine to their NY-based studio.
Whether it’s recycled gold wedding bands, lab-grown diamonds, or high-grade pearls, you’ll be wearing it worry-free and with pride because every piece is made to last a lifetime.
They are so sure about the quality that they offer an amazing lifetime guarantee on repair services.
Price Range: From $240-$10,200+
Ethics: Precious metals only, sustainably made, carbon-neutral, women-owned, traceable, SI Clarity
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
Our Favorites from Aurate:
3. Catbird
The USA-based ethical jewelry brand Catbird uses conflict-free recycled diamonds and recycled gold to create a stunning collection of sustainable wedding brands by hand in a small Brooklyn studio.
Catbird also collaborates with amazing designers like Sandy Rubin, Erstwhile, and Gillian Conroy to bring new ideas to the table.
The result? Beautiful, timeless, and ethical wedding bands that tell a story of generations past and present, wrapped around your finger.
Price Range: From $310-12,600+
Ethics: LEED-certified, 95% recycled 14k gold, recycled or lab-created diamonds, equity pledge, made in the USA, Catbird giving fund
Location/Shipping: United States
Our Favorites from Catbird:
4. Mejuri
You’ve probably seen Mejuri’s conflict-free wedding bands gracing the figures of some top-tier influencers.
The Kimberley process-compliant brand uses conflict-free diamonds and recycled precious metals to create timeless, dainty wedding bands in countries like India, Italy, and Korea.
They’re also working towards achieving a fully traceable supply chain which is amazing!
Many recycled wedding rings are available in 14k yellow or white gold – both certified by the Responsible Jewelry Council.
Our Favorites from Mejuri:
Price Range: From $128-$698+
Ethics: Kimberley process compliant, conflict-free diamonds, recycled precious metals, responsible materials sourcing, fair labor, donations
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
5. Bario Neal
Bario Neal aims to help straight and LGBTQ+ folks find the conflict-free wedding bands of their dreams.
They are, after all, proud supporters of LGBTQ+ rights and worldwide marriage equality.
That’s why the brand carries an array of gender-neutral styles.
To create those dainty rings, Bario Neal chose recycled metals and responsibly sourced, traceable gemstones as well as Fairmined certified gold.
They also collaborate with small-scale miners and fair-trade gemstone suppliers to make sure that every material used is not only ethically but also sustainably sourced.
Our Favorites from Bario Neal:
Price Range: From $70-$8170+
Ethics: Fairmined Certified & 100% recycled, lab-grown diamonds, ethical & fully traceable, women-owned, gender-neutral & size-inclusive, donations
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
6. Do Amore
Do Amore’s lineup includes simple, modern, accented, vintage, and curved and textured wedding band options.
For some reason, the latter just spoke to me – it looks so stunning!
To create those American-made, dreamy settings, the brand uses recycled precious metal, sets with ethically sourced stones.
Plus, your ethically sourced wedding band will be custom-built from scratch to your exact size.
To top it all off, along with your ring or piece of jewelry, you’ll also receive information about your water project and the community.
Once completed, you’ll have the GPS coordinates and a photo of the actual water well you helped make possible.
Our Favorites from Do Amore:
Price Range: From $280-$5380+
Ethics: Conflict-free natural diamonds & gemstones, recycled precious metals, verifiably ethical & sustainable, handmade in the USA, made-to-order, sustainable ring boxes
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
7. Plum Diamonds
For ethical jewelry wedding bands with minimal environmental impact, check out Plum’s collection.
This female-led touch, lab-grown diamond jewelry company offers customizable pieces that meet every bride’s taste.
Rated the highest in quality, clarity, and color, their lab-grown diamonds are brilliant, ethical, affordable, and look just like the real thing.
That’s mostly because Plum rings are made in their own certified-responsible facility which cuts down costs.
P.S. If I were you, I’d also check the diamond eternity band yellow gold options too.
Our Favorites from Plum Diamonds:
Price Range: From $590-2540+
Ethics: Responsible Jewelry Council (RJC) Certified, Green Wedding Alliance (GWA), lab-grown diamonds, recycled gold & platinum, ethical & sustainable practices
Location/Shipping: United States
8. Holden
Finding truly gorgeous personalized, sustainable wedding rings is not easy.
But thanks to Holden, you’ll be able to find a customizable ethically sourced wedding band in no time.
The ethical jewelry company uses 100% recycled gold and ethical lab-grown diamonds.
They’re Climate Neutral Certified and use a delicate engraving and casting process to create each piece with love and care.
The metal options are plenty. Think white gold, rose gold, and yellow gold.
Holden also offers the most unique textured wedding band I’ve ever seen.
Our Favorites from Holden:
Price Range: From $249-$2499+
Ethics: Climate Neutral Certified, SCS Certified, ethically sourced lab-grown diamonds, recycled precious metals, sustainable materials, recycled returns, locally made, recycled packaging
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
9. Clean Origin
As the name suggests, Clean Origin is an ethical jewelry brand that cares, and thus, they solely use recycled metals and 100% lab-created diamonds to create conflict-free wedding bands.
You can find over 50 Responsible Jewellery Council-certified, ethical wedding rings for women and men in rose gold, yellow gold, white gold, or platinum.
As for their diamonds, they proudly carry the IGI (International Gemological Institute) and GCAL certifications.
Our Favorites from Clean Origin:
Price Range: From $220-$15,725+
Ethics: Conflict-free lab-grown diamonds, ethically sourced, environmental responsibility, transparency
Location/Shipping: United States
10. Vrai
What made me fall in love with Vrai is their minimalist aesthetic. But that’s not what makes them so exceptional.
Their diamonds are the world’s only diamonds produced with zero carbon footprint. That’s basically what the Carbon Neutral(R) Certification means.
All ethical wedding bands are sustainably made in the USA with lab-created diamonds from Diamond Foundry.
Plus, you can find every style imaginable – from diamond eternity band yellow gold rings to textured wedding bands.
Price Range: From $550-$6600+
Ethics: Conflict-free lab-grown diamonds, zero carbon emissions during production, fair wages, donations
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
11. Valley Rose
If you’re looking for absolutely unique conflict-free wedding bands, the hand-crafted pieces by Northern California-based brand Valley Rose are a must-see.
Valley Rose has a strong commitment to using the highest quality and ethical materials.
From Fairmined gold to ethical gemstones, including recycled diamonds and SCS-certified sustainably rated grown diamonds.
The secret behind these exquisite pieces lies in the technique of lost wax casting.
Each design starts with an original model which is hand-carved in wax.
Seriously, these sustainable wedding bands turn heads.
Price Range: From $525-$3220+
Ethics: Certified Fairmined gold, SCS Certified, 100% climate neutral lab diamond, recycled & ethically sourced materials, fair labor, recycled & compostable packaging, donations
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
12. Jennie Kwon Designs
The ethical jewelry brand Jennie Kwon Designs is best known for its art-deco pieces and Victorian-era jewelry.
From classic gold bands to textured wedding bands, the Fairmined & Fairtrade gold 14K yellow, rose and white gold options are so many.
Keep in mind that all pieces are made to order, but you can always content them to create custom, ethical wedding bands for her who is exceptionally unique.
Price Range: From $175-$2810+
Ethics: Fairmined & Fairtrade gold, ethically sourced conflict-free stones, made to order, made in the USA
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
13. MiaDonna & Co
The B-certified corporation MiaDonna is a household name in the world of ethical jewelry.
They solely use lab-grown diamonds and recycled metals to create conflict-free wedding bands.
The personalized styles are also made in the USA by hand.
You can pick stone type, shape and size, recycled metal type, ring size, and optional extras.
And surprisingly, MaiDonna also offers an in-home try-on service
Price Range: From $240-$3660+
Ethics: Certified B Corporation, BBB Accredited Business, conflict-free diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, eco-friendly recycled metal, donations
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
14. Wwake
WWAKE is another amazing destination with some of the best ethical wedding bands we’ve laid eyes on so far.
Unlike most brands that create sustainable wedding bands, this one keeps things simple.
Every beautifully crafted piece is handmade in NYC with recycled metals and fair-mined gold.
I couldn’t stop browsing – all styles are absolutely beautiful!
Price Range: From $338-$4755+
Ethics: Materials sourced sustainably, recycled & fair trade materials, women-owned, local production, low-impact practices, responsible mining models, minimal waste strategies, beneficiary projects
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
15. Sofia Kaman
Sofia Kaman specializes in recycled wedding rings with stones sourced from dealers who abide by the Kimberley Process.
Whether it be a classic, solid gold wedding ring or a glittery, diamond-set eternity band, you’ll definitely find your forever piece.
What I love most about this ethical jewelry brand is that they give us the option to create a custom ethical wedding band using a lab-grown diamond that was made with renewable energy! All you gotta do is contact them.
Price Range: From $360-15,000+
Ethics: Conflict-free, Kimberley process, lab-grown diamonds, sustainable materials, recycled gold, handmade locally, one tree planted, donations
Location/Shipping: United States, ships to Canada
16. Aether Diamonds
If you’re looking for an ethically sourced wedding band that’s sustainable, eco-friendly, and stylish, check out Aether Diamonds.
Breaking barriers, they are the first to create diamonds using carbon captured from the very air we breathe.
As they mention, “the carbon is taken out of the air, only to go through hydrocarbon synthesis and clean energy-powered reactor.” Pretty amazing right?
The B-certified corporation also uses 100% recycled gold to create ethical womens wedding bands.
Price Range: From $795-$3700+
Ethics: Certified B Corporation, conflict-free, superior carbon-based products, handmade, recycled gold, 100% renewable power, no fossil fuels, carbon negative, climate-positive, transparency
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
17. Automic Gold
Automic Gold’s ethical jewelry wedding bands are as inclusive as they can get.
They offer a wide range of sizes, from 0-30 which means that everyone can get a ring that fits just right.
The queer-owned brand handcrafts sustainable wedding bands locally, in its NYC studio using certified recycled gold and ethically sourced gems and stones.
Plus, you can submit a request to create ethical wedding bands for her and him.
Price Range: From $225-$2150+
Ethics: Ethically sourced gemstones & stones, recycled gold, size & gender-inclusive, recyclable packaging
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
18. Gardens Of The Sun
The folks behind Gardens Of The Sun are pros at crafting guilt-free wedding rings that are non-toxic and support artisanal miners and makers.
All materials are Kimberley process certified which means that the Certified B Corporation solely uses ethical yellow gold, rose gold, or palladium white gold.
You can find plenty of order wedding bands that will take around 8 to 12 weeks to be delivered.
In case you can’t wait, you can always opt for the pre-made textured wedding band options, the rose-cut diamond rings, or even the curved nesting bands.
Price Range: From $20-$1299+
Ethics: Certified B Corporation, Kimberley process, 100% ethical jewelry, ethical gold, recycled silver, fair trade, transparency, recycled packaging, tree plating, gives back
Location/Shipping: United States, ships worldwide
19. Taylor & Hart UK
In the heart of the U.K., Taylor & Hart uses precious metals such as platinum, gold, and white gold to create ethical wedding bands for her who loves to sparkle.
All designs are made by hand in their own London workshop.
In addition to being certified by the Kimberley Process, Taylor & Hart also opts for Fairtrade or recycled metals and diamonds. And, in some cases, lab-grown diamonds.
Plus, if you want something entirely unique, you can book a consultation with expert designers to create a one-of-a-kind sustainable wedding band.
Our Favorites from Taylor & Hart:
Price Range: From $480-$15,570+
Ethics: The Kimberley Process Certification, Fairtrade or recycled metals & diamonds, sustainable manufacturing techniques
Location/Shipping: United Kingdom, ships worldwide
How do you know if a wedding band is ethically-sourced?
First and foremost, all ethically sourced wedding bands carry some specific certifications like Fairtrade Gold, Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), or the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) seal. If you see this, it means that your ring was responsibly-made by people who earn fair wages.
Another excellent way to make sure that your wedding band is ethical is to choose traceable diamonds or gemstones.
Ethical jeweler brands are not afraid to share exact details about the sourcing journey of each stone, including information on conflict-free zones, and whether or not they adhere to ethical mining standards.
For example, my absolutely favorite brand Brilliant Earth, uses Beyond Conflict Free™ Diamonds that can be traced using industry-leading Blockchain technology. How cool is that!?
Lastly, if you want to be 100% sure, you can always go ahead and ask about the origin of the metals and gemstones used in the band via email.
Again, ethical jewelers have nothing to hide, so they will be more than willing and proud to share this information.
What is the most ethical material for wedding bands?
Recycled Metals
Recycled metals are the best material for ethical wedding bands. Rings made from recycled gold, platinum, and silver give a second life to metals that have been around the block for a while. Brands melt them down to be reused. And, folks, is a great win for the planet.
Fairtrade Gold
Fairtrade Gold is the gold standard (pun intended) for ethical wedding rings. When you go for gold certified by Fairtrade International, you can rest assured knowing that you’re supporting fair wages, safe working conditions, and mining practices that are kind to the environment.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
And then, there are lab-grown diamonds – yes, we’re talking about conflict-free wedding bands adorned with gemstones that have been created in a lab.
These environmentally friendly alternatives to natural diamonds are made in controlled environments and are, therefore, more affordable. No worries, those too have shape, size, color, and clarity grades.
Plus, a mined diamond consumes more than 126 gallons of water per carat. On the other hand, lab-grown diamonds consume just 18 gallons.
Do you need another reason to choose ethical wedding bands for her with artificial diamonds? They are identical to their natural counterparts! Seriously, even experts have a hard time telling them apart.
How many deaths have blood diamonds caused?
The impact of blood diamonds on human lives has been devastating, with deaths occurring directly due to conflicts financed by blood diamonds, as well as indirectly through the social and economic consequences of these conflicts.
According to National Geographic news, there have been over four million deaths in the African population. Also, these conflicts have caused severe injuries to over two million people.
What is the difference between engagement rings & ethical wedding bands?
Ethical engagement rings steal the spotlight during the time of the proposal. On the other hand, ethical wedding bands are exchanged when the couple gets married. Most women prefer to wear both together, as a set.
But, in most cases, engagement rings have a big center stone(s) whereas the wedding band is, well, a band.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that you can’t pick a diamond-adorned conflict-free wedding band. Everything comes down to personal taste.
What wedding bands go with a solitaire?
The best choice to competent your solitaire sparkle is a diamond band. If you want to keep things minimal, you can choose a plain recycled wedding ring for a cohesive lewk.
Now, if your solitaire has a unique setting or shape, why not consider an ethical wedding band designed to fit around it? The two best options will be curved or contoured bands.
What is the best ethical wedding band for an active woman?
If you have a very active lifestyle, unfortunately, overly adorned bands won’t do.
Instead, go for ethically sourced wedding bands made from recycled metals like recycled gold or platinum. The more durable and sturdy, the better!
Are there any affordable ethically sourced wedding bands?
Yes, you can find many affordable ethically sourced wedding bands on the eco market.
For example, wedding bands crafted from recycled metals, such as recycled gold or silver, can be more affordable than newly mined materials.
If you want to have a sparkle, consider a lab-grown diamond which is generally more affordable than their mined counterparts while offering identical physical and chemical properties.
We hope this roundup of our favorite sustainable wedding bands was helpful!
We hope this guide helped you find the best ethical wedding bands for both him and her.
The market is booming with options. You can order a completely bespoke piece, choose recycled wedding rings, or opt for a responsibly sourced textured wedding band.
Looking for something even more dazzling? Ethical or lab-grown diamonds are both great options. Your love story deserves nothing less.
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.
If you enjoyed this article, check out these other community favorites below!
- 15 Ethical Engagement Rings From The Best Conflict-Free Brands
- 12 Best Sustainable Wedding Dress Ideas For An Eco-Friendly Wedding
- 25 Best Second Hand Wedding Dress Shops For Your Special Day!
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