This is going to be on your finger for the next 30 – 60 YEARS!! ….and I’m going to try to help you pick the right ring. There is something beautifully symbolic about the tradition of exchanging rings to symbolize a long-lasting commitment to your partner. Whether you go for ultra-traditional or opt for a beer can tab, the story is the same. For some, engagement and wedding rings are a status symbol, but for an environmentalist, eco-friendly wedding rings can show commitment to sustainability, protection of the environment, fair trade and conservation of the earth’s resources. The ring you choose for yourself and your fiance says a lot about you.
For both women and men’s rings, recycled metals are where it’s at. The pollution generated from mining gold and silver can be avoided if you go the recycled route. If you desire a stone, conflict free diamonds are a must (available from Canada) and there are many gemstones out there that are just as beautiful and not as tainted. Cultured diamonds and gemstones are the most ecologically friendly gems, since they are not mined out of the earth, but grown in a lab. And don’t forget buying your ring used! …estate jewelry can be an amazing eco-friendly alternative.
