Pretty Things, Better Choices

Jewelry doesn’t have to cost the earth. Here’s how to make beautiful, meaningful, planet-friendly choices.

How This Came Up (No Pressure, Son… Seriously)

This article was prompted by a conversation I had with my 20-year-old daughter the other day. We were talking (completely hypothetically) about my oldest son and his girlfriend — whom we absolutely adore — and speculating whether a proposal might be in the cards someday. Would he take the traditional route with a ring? Would we get to help him choose it? No pressure, of course, dear boy. (Really. Maybe. Sort of.)

That’s when my daughter said, “I think people my age are thinking outside of the diamond, honestly.”

And she’s right. More and more people are reconsidering what it means to wear or give something meaningful—and how to do it without compromising their values.

Funnily enough, it’s a conversation I had a few years ago with my now-husband — before he proposed. I told him that I didn’t need (or want) a diamond mined from halfway around the world. I wanted something that meant something. What he chose couldn’t have been more perfect: a pale green amethyst shaped like a lotus (our motto: “No Mud, No Lotus”), flanked by lab-grown diamonds. Beautiful. Symbolic. Ethical. All the good stuff.

And it reminded me: the things we choose to wear — especially when they’re meant to last a lifetime — can be just as kind as they are beautiful.

Let’s Talk Sparkle—and What Comes With It

Here’s the thing: I love jewelry. I’ve got a little box of baubles that I open like it’s a treasure chest, carefully selecting the perfect piece to make an outfit pop or bring a little intention into the day.

But I also know this: many traditional gemstones come with baggage heavier than your favorite overnight pack. Diamond mining alone can lead to ecological destruction, unsafe labor, and even child exploitation. And most supply chains? They're about as transparent as a mud puddle.

There is progress toward improved industry standards — transparency laws, cleaner sourcing, and greater accountability. However, we’re not quite there yet. In the meantime, it’s up to us to ask better questions and make wiser choices when we can.

What do you do when you want to adorn yourself (or someone else) while also staying aligned with your values?

You get creative. You get curious. And you remember that what you wear can be both beautiful and better.

The Hidden Cost of Shine

Here’s the unvarnished truth about conventional gemstones:

•Diamond mining is rough (in more ways than one). It displaces land, pollutes water, and often occurs in countries with shaky (at best) labor protections.

•Gemstone sourcing is notoriously opaque. Even “conflict-free” isn’t always conflict-free — the label can be more marketing than meaningful.

•Metal mining is also an issue. Gold, silver, and other metals used in settings often come from open-pit mines with serious environmental consequences.

But here’s the good news: you’ve got options. Better ones.

Field Tip: Beautiful Alternatives That Don’t Suck

1. Heirloom or Estate JewelryReuse > Remove. Vintage pieces not only come with built-in character, they also skip the new-extraction mess entirely. Whether it’s grandma’s engagement ring or a flea market find, there’s nothing more sustainable than what already exists.

2. Lab-Grown Diamonds & Gemstones

Same sparkle, less destruction. Lab-created stones are chemically identical to their mined counterparts, often at a lower price point and lower environmental impact. Bonus: Most reputable lab-grown options are fully traceable.

3. Responsible Jewelers

Seek out makers who are transparent about their sourcing and committed to fair trade, recycled materials, or traceable supply chains.

4. Go Natural (Literally)

Wooden bands, stone-carved pendants, even sea glass. Earth-made doesn’t have to mean earth-harming. Look for materials like sustainably harvested wood, clay, or even botanicals sealed in resin. They’re especially meaningful if you find or make them yourself.

What’s Coming: Transparency Laws on the Horizon

While the U.S. isn’t quite there yet, there’s buzz in the jewelry industry about pending legislation that would require better supply chain disclosure and sourcing transparency. Some countries and certifying bodies are already leading the charge (shoutout to the Kimberley Process, even if it has its flaws).

Until those protections are standard, it’s up to us to ask better questions, seek out reputable sources, and vote with our wallets. That means shopping small, reading the fine print, and saying no when something feels off.

No Shine Without Substance

At the end of the day, jewelry is storytelling. The ring you propose with. The necklace you wear every day. The bracelet passed down for generations. These things should make you feel more connected — to the people, places, and values you care about.

Already Have the Sparkle? Here’s What to Do

If you already have a diamond — or any piece of jewelry that may not have the most ethical origin story — don’t beat yourself up. Seriously. Guilt doesn’t grow anything. What matters is what you do moving forward. You can still honor the meaning behind your gem while choosing more conscious options in the future. Maybe you’ll have it reset with recycled metals. Maybe you’ll use your next jewelry purchase to support a small maker with sustainable practices. Maybe you’ll just share what you’ve learned with a friend who’s starting their own ring search. (And if that friend is my son, tell him Mama wants in on that shopping trip!)

Jewelry is about love, memory, beauty, and connection. That doesn’t change. Better choices do exist. And they look good on you. That’s where the real shine is.