Photo: Courtesy of Leber Jewelers, Bashford Jewelry, and Monique Péan
Snagging the fiancé of your dreams is of the utmost importance, but let's not pretend as if your engagement ring isn't also a crucial part of the whole endeavor. Many women have been dreaming of their bridal bling since they were little girls, but environmentally-conscious brides-to-be have a bit more work to do when it comes to finding their ideal design. But not to fret: Many jewelers are elevating their standards to create pieces that are sustainable for those who want to go green, but don't want to sacrifice style.
Here are three jewelry designers that offer engagement rings that are simultaneously dazzling and caused no harm to the environment while they were being made.
1. Leber Jeweler
Since 1999, Joanne and Brian Leber of Leber Jeweler have obtained their natural gemstones from suppliers who guarantee that the materials were mined, sourced, and cut using fair-labor standards. Plus, their Earthwise Jewelry Collection includes engagement rings made from 100 percent recycled precious metals and offers classic designs, like a platinum pavé diamond ring (above, left), that are perfect for a traditional bride searching for an eco-friendly rock.
See More: An Eco-Friendly, DIY Wedding in Northern California
2. Bashford Jewelry
A second-generation jewelry designer who grew up in a small village in the Philippines, Mildred Stephens decided to embark on an eco-concious jewelry collection, Bashford Jewelry, with her husband Neil. All of their engagement rings are ethically sourced and feature conflict-free diamonds. The brand's offerings are gorgeous and glam — just check out that 4-carat eco-blue diamond ring set in a rose gold band (above, center).
3. Monique Péan
Gwyneth Paltrow, Kerry Washington, and Reese Witherspoon are just a few famous fans of fine-jewelry designer Monique Péan's eponymous eco-friendly and sustainable line. And luckily for brides-to-be, the star-approved label recently branched out into bridal: Péan just launched her 16-piece Minéraux collection, which features engagement rings made from recycled platinum and gold, along with diamonds re-purposed from antique jewelry. The results? Utterly stunning one-of-a-kind rings — we're particularly obsessed with the geometric recycled platinum setting adorned with a European-cut diamond (above, right).