Diamonds can be a girl’s best friend, but they can be harmful to the environments from which they come. Not only is the process of obtaining the diamonds difficult on populations, the industry involved in crafting millions of engagement rings every year generates a significant amount of pollution. So, we got to thinking: How can we feel better about the engagement rings we lust after? The answer: Sustainable and eco-friendly options! There are a number of very successful and well known jewelers whose processes are sustainable and eco-friendly. (We bet you didn’t know that!) Here are our top picks.

Alex & Ani
The Crystal Illumiation Sacred Studs Ring

This Alex & Ani ring is great for people who aren’t into spending a fortune on an engagement ring. It’s also a great option for people who love jewelry with purpose and meaning. The company’s pieces are all symbolic of some type of energy. In particular, this piece is symbolic of purity, this crystal hue is expressive of the highest divine love. As far as the companies policies on sustainability go, this is what they have to say, “Our products are hand crafted in America. Our stores are purposefully located on main streets to encourage growth in local economies. Our items are designed for longevity, as artisanal pieces that can be passed from one generation to the next. To us, sustainability is an essential idea that means contributing to a new way of thinking and acting that considers the wellbeing of our planet, our communities, and our individual paths.”

Pamela Love/Monique Péan
The MPL 3.9 Carat Grey Diamond Ring

MONIQUE PÉAN/PAMELA LOVE is a collaboration between eco-friendly New York jewelry designers Pamela Love and Monique Péan. It’s a unique bridal collection merging each designer’s style to break the boundaries of traditional fine jewelry. This particular engagement ring is fashion forward and ultra unique—and it’s inspired by the cosmos. The engagement ring is complete with white, grey, and black ombré diamonds, and recycled oxidized platinum. To boot, it’s one of a kind. To sustain her company, Pamela Love, “Is committed to sustainability and localized production. All gemstones and semiprecious stones are ethically sourced and almost all metal used is recycled. The entire jewelry-making process, from design to sampling to full-scale production, is completed domestically with the majority of it done in-house at Pamela Love’s Manhattan studio.”

Melissa Joy Manning
The One Carat Clear Pyramid Diamond Ring

This Melissa Joy Manning ring is made of recycled 18K gold and a pyramid diamond. It’s handmade in the company’s CA Green Certfied Studio. This option is the middle ground in price and quality between Alex & Ani and Pamela Love/Monique Péan. It’s reminiscent of high-end Etsy, no? Melissa Joy Manning’s jewelry is, “Made by hand, from artists who are able to earn a living wage with real benefits while crafting their art. Disposing of the wasteful modern techniques of casting and machine molding, we have embraced the timeless techniques of traditional metal smithing, producing pieces that are both unique and environmentally friendly. To lessen our impact, our pieces are made from 100% recycled gold and silver. We source our metal from a refinery who has the highest available environmental standards. The unique refining process captures and filters gases, produces 75% less liquid waste, and recycles the water used throughout the process. Any scraps from our production are sent back to the refinery to be recycled once again.”

[Photos courtesy of each retailer]