 |
|
GREEN CHIP COMPANY
COCKTAIL FACT
'Sleb sighting: Actress Marcia Gay Harden was seen wearing Brilliant Earth's diamonds just last weekend.
RATE THIS TIP:
How useful is this tip to you?
(5 is the highest)
home › tip library › Dec 08,2006
When is a ring more than just bling?
The Bite:
When materials are mined responsibly, jewelry shines a little brighter. Brilliant Earth's gemstones can be traced back to the source, guaranteeing that all the diamonds they carry come with a clean-conscience guarantee. Sure, our days are filled with more conference calls than carats, but we know a beautiful rock when we see one. Check out Brilliant Earth's conflict-free diamonds (and cost-competitive pricing) to get your eco-bling on.Company Background
Brilliant Earth was co-founded by Beth Gerstein in 2005 after her fiancée had major trouble finding a US retailer that could guarantee fair trade diamonds. "Jewelry purchases have such emotional symbolism, and our customers want their purchase to be consistent with their values," says Beth's business partner, Eric Grossberg. From the recycled gold in their ring settings down to the recycled paper they print on, the company's committed to doing well by doing good. And now that the new DiCaprio flick, Blood Diamond, exposes audiences to the conflict diamond issue, more people are sure to be enamored with the eco-option.Why Care?
- All diamonds are harvested and finished using fair trade practices and are certified conflict-free by third-parties like the Government of the Northwest Territories.
- The 2 Canadian mines from which the company sources its diamonds undertake rigorous environmental monitoring.
- Uses recycled gold, replacing the need for additional gold mining. Believe it or not, it takes 30 tons of ore to produce a single, new, gold ring.
- 5% of profits are donated to the Diamonds for Africa Fund, which gives back to communities harmed by the diamond trade.
- Runs an eco-friendlier HQ using recycled paper and online banking.
- Highly competitive pricing - often less expensive than your local retail jewelry store, because overhead's low.
- Biter exclusive: receive $100 off with an earring or pendant purchase of $2,000 or more (just mention you're a Biter during checkout).
Keeping It Real
Crystal clear as the digital photos on Brilliant Earth's website may be, it's tough to beat seeing one of their rings in person. Right now, that's only possible by appointment in San Francisco. In addition, Grossberg says he'd like to start offsetting the CO2 created by the shipping of their gems, and to offer "more entry-level, low-priced pieces for the younger market."
What is a Green Chip Showcase?
Conflict-Free Diamonds ARE a girls (and boys) Best Friend
Consumer advocates believe that conflict diamonds make up as much 10-15% of the world diamond supply. That involve mines that blow up on innocent people, and working conditions not even suitable for a cockroach. I won't name names but the most well-known retailers sell conflict-full diamonds, and they are the ones with the power to shift the industry. I am definitely not going to marry some exec from those chain jewelry stores unless they clean up their act. (that will get 'em! ;-)
Anyway, this is a major issue and so happy that at least there is awareness being brought to the issue. I know that when I find my prince charming he will totally "get it" and will no bat at eye at the importance of having a gemstone as meaningful as the relationship itself.
Yeah, you guessed it... off to find Prince Charming! - Jen
Biter Comments...
I highly recommend GreenKarat.com as a source for beautiful jewelry (including wedding bands, engagement rings, etc.) that has recycled metals as well as conflict-free gems. My engagement ring and our wedding bands all came from GreenKarat.com, and I loved working with them.
I simply avoid diamonds. I really don't like what they've come to symbolize to me. When my husband and I married we opted for simple plain bands. I actually made his myself. (It really isn't that difficult to make a simple band and there are classes available at many community arts centers that will teach you the skills needed to do it. The cost of the class plus the materials is usually still less than you would pay for a similar ring from a jewelry store and the decision to diy adds another layer of meaning.)
I understand if you do not want to name names. Here are a few sites that will do the talking:
HOST
http://www.hostgallery.co.uk/index1.html
Out of 30 companies that were asked about their policies on conflict diamonds by letter and a follow-up telephone call, only five responded, according to Global Witness. They included Fortunoff, Pampillonia, Tiffany & Co., the Signet Group, and Zale Corporation.
Of those five, Global Witness said, Tiffany stood out because it described how it has tried to strengthen its sourcing and auditing policies precisely to ensure that it was not dealing in conflict diamonds.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0401-12.htm
ZALE Corp.
http://www.zalecorp.com/corporate/corporate.aspx?pid=108
take care and thank you for posting.
Debra
Does anyone know anything about Chatham synthetic gemstones? I was told that they are eco friendly because they are not mined. It sounds too good to be true and I wonder if there are any negative environmental effects.
What is a conflick diamond? Ones that are not cut right or ones that are defective to begin with?
Opal Engagement Ring
Here there are good prices for jewelry.
http://sites.google.com/site/mytitaniumjewelry/
Thanks.
how do they know 100% if a diamond is really conflict free? Besides a lot f retailers jump on the bandwagon and offer it as a selling point.
See here
http://www.diamonds.uk.com/diamond-trilogy-rings.html
or here
http://www.i-diamonds.co.uk/half-eternity-rings.html
even the smallest of stones are certified to be conflict free!
A better tip that will save you money and help break down the tired old diamond "standard" for engagement rings... don't buy diamonds at all. There are countless gorgeous gems with which to adorn yourself! Even those synthetic and conflict free diamonds on the fingers of fabulous progressives will still back up the idea that diamonds are tops and anything else is just, well sorry hon'. Rubies, emeralds, amethysts, peridot, saphires, marcasite, aquamarine, opal and citrine are forever too you know!
A good place to get nice designer ring with Lab Grown Diamonds are:
http://www.absolutetitanium.com/interwedding.php
Another good site to get loose Canadian nonconflict diamonds is :
http://www.diamonds.ca/
PHOTO ALBUMS
Posted by: Elisa Camahort | December 08, 2006 at 03:00 PM