How to ensure your ring is ethical?
1. Avoid conflict diamonds - be aware that the Kimberley Process isn’t enough
When buying a diamond, you’ll hear a lot about the four Cs, but there is actually a 5th C that’s extremely important: conflict-free.
Pretty much every jeweller will say that their diamonds are certified by the Kimberley Process and that this means they are conflict-free. But this is no guarantee at all.
The process requires all rough diamonds to be transported in tamper-resistant containers when crossing international borders, with a forgery-resistant certificate and a unique number. Despite these regulations being in place, there are many gaps in the system and blood diamonds can still find their way to market.
2. CHECK TRACEABILITY
If you don’t know where your diamond came from, then you can’t be sure that it was ethically produced.
Only a small proportion of the diamonds on the market are traceable back to source. Canadamark is a scheme that makes this possible from some of the diamond mines in the Diavik and Ekati mines in Canada. A unique serial number is laser inscribed on each of the diamonds that’s registered under this scheme allowing it to be traced back to a specific piece of rough crystal.
3. GO FOR FAIRTRADE GOLD
Opting for a ring made from Fairtrade gold can really make a difference to the lives of miners and the communities they live in. You can rest assured that miners from a Fairtrade mine are working in health and safety regulated conditions with fair wages and no child labour. Be sure to check if your jeweller is Fairtrade gold certified.
4. CONSIDER RECYCLED METALS
Choosing a ring made from recycled gold or platinum is another way you can reduce your environmental footprint of your ring. Recycled metals help to reduce the demand for newly mined metals, which helps to avoid the damaging effects that mining has on the environment. There is also no difference in quality whatsoever between new or recycled metal.
5. ASK WHERE YOUR RING WAS (OR WILL BE) MADE
Your jeweller should be able to tell you exactly where your jewellery was made, and the working conditions of the people who made it.
I honestly cannot recommend Ingle & Rhode enough
Ben and I knew that we wanted a conflict-free and ethical diamond, and we were so delighted to find Ingle & Rhode (and I was so glad to be part of the process...!) Ellie was so warm and helpful, and clearly passionate and knowledgeable about what she does – we really enjoyed meeting her on several occasions, and she responded to all our questions and requests quickly and with such consideration; we really felt that we were getting a bespoke, personal, 1:1 process. I am beyond delighted with my beautiful Aria ring with my stunning lab-grown diamond – I'm 6 weeks engaged, and still don't stop staring at it in all different lights. Thank you so much Ingle & Rhode - you made the world of difference to us in the months before getting engaged, and we have not stopped telling people about you since.
Ingle & Rhode were exceptional throughout the whole process
I was purchasing an engagement ring, so I had a lot to learn. Their website is very useful and helps you build your own ring. I also had an appointment for initial discussions and consultations. They were great at talking through options, giving suggestions and advising on ring size. I work overseas and so the logistics were complicated but they were so flexible and helpful. Everything went well and the ring was even delivered to the house. Brilliant follow up service for additional questions and support. Beautiful products and great service.
Beautiful, ethical jewellery - can't recommend enough!
I am so glad that I found Ingle & Rhode when looking to buy my partner an engagement ring - they are superb, and the products are wonderful.
Buying an ethical ring was really important to my partner and I, and so I was immediately drawn in by Ingle & Rhode - unlike a lot of ethical jewellery companies, their rings are still very contemporary.. which was exactly what my partner wanted!
I had a couple of calls with Ellie during the process, who was so helpful - despite not having a great idea of what to go for, she was decisive and led me towards my own decisions; highly recommend speaking with the team, because they are wonderful (and lovely people too).
Can't recommend using Ingle & Rhode highly enough - my partner loved the ring that I chose, and we would definitely use them again for jewellery in the future.
My experience from start to finish was superb
I have my dream ring which is my 10 year anniversary ring and its STUNNING I can’t stop looking at it. It took about 4 months from start to finish but so worth the wait. We had to find the right diamond and it then had to match my image I had in my head for the setting. From my first phone call to picking up the ring Ellie has been fantastic and very informative along the way. Hayley, the designer was so patient with me going back and forth on design and also had amazing ideas to really elevate the ring. The product and service is truly wonderful so much so I want to buy a new piece every year ( just have to convince the hubby ;) !! Well done team I&R
Simply stunning!
I have just collected my beautiful bespoke ruby and diamond ring from Ingle & Rhode. The journey started with an email enquiry and a face to face meeting with Natalie, who was so helpful and talked through with me some ideas I already had. This ring isn't an engagement ring but more of a statement piece, and I knew that I wanted to find a product that fitted my ethical & environmental values. Hayley then took over with the design process which was so enjoyable, and I have loved watching and being involved with my ring slowly evolving from 6 initial designs. I was really happy with the final CAD artwork and now that it has been turned into the finished piece, it is simply stunning. I could not be happier with my purchase and would thoroughly recommend Ingle & Rhode to anyone looking for a bespoke design and ethical values for a special piece of jewellery, whatever the occasion. Thank you to the whole team!.
Ethical Sourcing, Exquisite Design
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