| With increasing environmental consciousness of | | | | 100% green, it leaves much less of an impact on |
| people in the world today, more individuals are | | | | the environment than gold does. |
| finding newer ways to support the environment | | | | Conflict-Free Diamonds vs. Blood Diamonds |
| and still enjoy life. A great way to do this is | | | | The human cost of "blood diamonds" is |
| through the purchase of "green jewelry", which | | | | unquantifiable. Over the last few decades, these |
| has especially grown in popularity amongst couples | | | | conflict diamonds have left a devastating impact |
| planning green weddings. | | | | on several African countries through the loss of |
| Recycled Gold vs. Gold | | | | life and damage to the environment. The good |
| A greener option to gold jewelry would be to | | | | news however is that it is now possible to ensure |
| purchase recycled gold jewelry. Recycled gold | | | | that the diamonds you are buying are |
| comes from old jewelry and is separated from | | | | conflict-free. You may do this by only purchasing |
| alloys and reclaimed through a procedure that is | | | | your jewelry from reputable suppliers, as well as |
| environmentally sound. Check with your jeweler | | | | asking your jeweler to show you their written |
| that they have agreed to abide by the "Golden | | | | policy on non-conflict diamonds to verify the |
| Rules" set up at the No Dirty Gold website such | | | | source of your rock. Another way to leave less |
| as has jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels. These rules | | | | of a footprint with your diamond jewelry is by |
| pledge to only source gold from mines located in | | | | purchasing it from jewelers who have agreed to |
| non-conflict areas, to avoid mining in conservation | | | | abide by a set of environmental and moral |
| areas, to respect the rights of workers and to | | | | guidelines such as Cartier and Tiffany's. |
| avoid dumping toxic by-products into the | | | | Colored Gemstones vs. Diamonds |
| environment. | | | | Another great way to curb the effects of |
| Silver vs. Gold | | | | diamond mining on the environment is by opting |
| Environmentally conscious individuals are now | | | | for other precious gemstones such as Swarovski |
| opting for silver rather than gold to help save the | | | | crystal jewelry which are man-made, or other |
| environment. By opting for silver, you get to help | | | | colored gemstones. However, before you run off |
| curb the harmful effects on the environment | | | | and buy sapphire, be sure to check that your |
| caused by the mining of gold. While silver is also | | | | jeweler or supplier adheres to moral and |
| mined, most of what is produced comes from | | | | eco-friendly practices, and that your precious |
| recycled materials such as photographic film or | | | | stone has been mined, polished and transferred in |
| the silver compounds used in many industrial | | | | accordance with strict fair trade guidelines. You |
| applications. Silver may also be sourced from | | | | can find such jewelers on the Council for |
| reprocessed waste from other industrial base | | | | Responsible Jewelry Practices website. |
| products such as lead and zinc. While silver is not | | | | |