Just the other day I read about conflict free diamond jewelry company Brilliant Earth via Ideal Bite.
Diamonds, and the ways in which we attain them, are something that had already been on my mind a lot in recent weeks, what with the surge in diamond jewelry commercials on tv, just in time for holiday shopping, and the release of Blood Diamond. I even heard an interview on NPR just the other evening, talking about the diamond industry preparing for backlash as a result of the new film.
Never ceasing to amaze, Ideal Bite tipped me off Brilliant Earth, which offers fair trade and conflict free diamond jewelry. This company strives to use only sustainable and ethically attained diamonds, gold, and platinum in their jewelry. They also donate 5% of their profits to the Diamonds for Africa fund, which gives back to local African communities harmed by the diamond trade.
Brilliant Earth offers wedding and engagement rings, of course (they’ll even let you design your own!), but they also offer loose diamonds as well as earrings, pendants, and other custom designed jewelry. Check out this beautiful antique style custom designed ring, which is set with fair trade sapphires.
I’m not planning on doing any diamond buying anytime soon, but in the case I ever do decide I want a flashy ring on my finger, I can guarantee I’ll want to know exactly where it came from and that no one was harmed in getting it to me. Companies like Brilliant Earth provide a good alternative for those of us who want a clear conscience when shopping for fancy jewelry.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I like that one ring you have a pic of there, but I can’t find it on the site! Not that it’s really relevant, I’m just obsessed with bezel set stuff and I can’t find that particular one.
WONDERFUL. FINIALLY humane jewels!
I think my boyfriend loves to hear me say “oh and by the way, NEVER buy me a diamond, they have too much blood on them.”
looks like he’s not off the hook after all!
Thanks for the info!
Bridget, it’s here:
http://www.brilliantearth.com/CustomDesign.aspx
It’s an example of one of their recent custom design pieces. I think it’s gorgeous!
Sarah, glad to be of service! But really, thank Ideal Bite, cause without them I wouldn’t have known either.
It has to be pointed out though,
however commendable blood free diamonds are,
they are still over priced lumps of crystal,
made popular by a materialistic shallow society,
guided by the clever marketing machines of the rich,
de beers for example, despite all that sparkle,
are far from heavenly…
Chris: While I certainly agree (I’m not much of a diamond girl myself anyway, I prefer pearls or rubies), people are going to buy diamonds. It’s just a fact I’ve grown accustomed to, as it’s part of our society, and I think it will take quite some time to break everyone of their desire to purchase diamond entirely. Until that day comes, I think encouraging the purchase of conflict free or otherwise sustainably attained diamonds is a much better alternative.
There are a number of manufacturers who are concerned about these ideas and I’m gathering, even beside Brilliant Earth. I’m compiling a data base of them, creating a movement website that support fair trade, ecologically responsible jewelry practices. It’s http://www.fairjewelry.org I am a manufacturer myself attempting to apply these things, which is difficult. But I am convinced it is the right things to do.