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Buying jewelry today is not as simple as floating from shop window to shop window until you find the right bauble for your style. Today's jewelry shopper needs to take into account the environmental and social impact that jewelry can have. Diamonds and gold, two of the most sought-after components of jewelry, also cause the most damage when mined irresponsibly. Fortunately, there is a way to keep you conscience as clean as a flawless diamond -- read on!
The term "conflict diamonds" has started appearing in mainstream publications. Conflict diamonds are diamonds sold to finance millitary action; also known as "blood diamonds" they are considered an ethically reprehensible form of trade.
More jewelers are getting their diamonds certified and fortunately the number of conflict diamonds in the general diamond supply is dropping. However, diamonds can be hard to trace, and some conflict diamonds still enter the United States every year.
You have a few options if you want to avoid conflict diamonds. Some jewelers certify that their diamonds are not conflict diamonds and have been purchased through reputable sources; for example, Kay Jewelers certifies that they do not use any conflict diamonds. Another option is to use a diamond look-alike, such as moissanite or cubic zirconia. These are great for most jewelry, but if you are buying an engagement ring with something other than a diamond, you should be straightforward with your fiancée-to-be; otherwise, she might be hurt if she finds out that you deceived her. Finally, you can skip the clear stones altogether -- go for a sapphire or ruby engagement ring instead.
Gold mining is a destructive process. It has a profound negative impact on workers, human rights and the environment. Mining releases toxic chemicals into water supplies, displaces entire communities, and levels areas of once-pristine beauty. The mining process generates twenty tons of waste rock for every gold ring you see in a store. (That means that every couple saying, "I do," generates 40-60 tons of waste material.)
Fortunately, gold mining has also come under scrutiny of late, and you can now rest easy knowing that the gold sold at a number of well-known jewelers is responsibly produced. A complete list can be found at NoDirtyGold.com.
Another alternative to choosing a jeweler based on the company policy on gold is to look into recycled gold jewelry. Like any other metal, gold can be melted down and reformed. Most jewelry in a store, however, is made from newly-mined gold. There are a few online retailers that specialize in ecologically sensitive jewelry; consider shopping with one of these companies when you need a luxe present but want to keep your conscience clear.
At first it might seem like the only thing you'll be able to wear in good conscience is an organic hemp bracelet with sustainably-harvested wood beads, but there is a lot more to responsible jewelry than that. A good place to start is to read the websites of any jewelers you plan to shop from and find out if the company has a policy about ethically dubious jewelry. You can also consult the lists of companies on web pages like NoDirtyGold.com to find out which jewelers have signed agreements to use responsibly mined gold or gemstones.
If this doesn't seem like you're doing enough, you still have a few options. Some smaller companies are devoted to responsible jewelry and use only recycled metals and responsibly mined (or laboratory-created) gemstones. There are only a few companies in this field at the moment, but the movement is growing. The ring to the left is from Green Karat, an online store that sells recycled gold and platinum jewelry.
Another path is to buy estate or antique jewelry, or make a gift of a family heirloom. If you don't like the gold jewelry your family has, find out if you can have it melted down to make something new.
The external links listed below will take you to a number of valuable sources of information.
