Choosing an engagement ring is an exciting time. A statement of love, it only makes sense that you would want these intimate pieces of jewellery to be ethically made. So, for all the ethical love birds out there, we are creating the ultimate roundup of affordable ethical engagement rings of all styles. We’re including designs under $/£ 500 and under $/£ 1,000.
What makes an engagement ring ethical?
From blood diamonds to environmental destruction, the traditional jewellery sector is fraught with ethical missteps. So, what is ethical jewellery and how is it different? There are a few things to look out for when searching for are ethical jewellery, these include:
- Conflict-free gemstones and precious metals
- Recycled and fair trade certified metals
- Vintage rings to avoid the creation of a new product
Check out our guide All that Glitters: What is Slow Jewellery? for more information.
What certifications to look for when buying an ethical engagement ring
While certifications aren’t always perfect, they are a great starting point when searching for ethical products.
Certifications to look out for include:
- Responsible Jewellery Council – Operates across entire supply chains to improve environmental and ethical standards.
- Kimberley Process Certification Scheme – Prevents the purchase of diamonds that support conflict around the globe through collaborating with industry, civil societies and administrations.
- Green Wedding Alliance – Specific to wedding industry organisations in the Chicago area, this certification focuses on green practices with certified members meeting a range of sustainability criteria.
Brands making affordable ethical engagement rings
So, who are the brands making affordable ethical engagement rings? We’ve rounded up brands from the UK and US but many ship across the pond too.
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Below £500/$500
1. Angel Barocco
Based: UK
Ships to: Worldwide
Price from: £98 / $125
Vintage or new: New
Warranty/returns/resizing: 14-day return window, exchange pieces available for longer/shorter lengths
Sustainability creds: Use of recycled materials, conflict-free pearls and cubic zirconia, recycled packaging
Exploring the natural beauty of pearls, Angel Barocco crafts timeless styles that celebrate the elegance of the natural world. The company’s exquisite designs focus primarily on the use of high-quality silver and natural freshwater farmed pearls.
The company uses these key materials alongside some other select stones, gems and metals. The brand uses recycled metals to help reduce its overall environmental impact.
2. Monica Vinader
Based: UK
Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: India & Thailand
Price from: £98 / $125
Vintage or new: New
Warranty/returns/resizing: 5 year warranty, resizing for up to three sizes larger or smaller free for first 5 years.
Sustainability creds: Use of recycled materials, conflict free diamonds, Responsible Jewellery Standard, traceable supply chains
Monica Vinader’s range of ethical engagement rings and jewellery have an old world charm that embraces a modern vibe. The company’s collection includes styles with unique hammered gold designs, and statement pieces adorned with shimmering gems.
The brand uses a variety of materials that have a lighter impact, including lab grown diamonds and recycled metals. Many of the company’s pieces come with ‘product passports’ so consumers can see both where their rings were made and where the materials were sourced.
3. Goldsmiths UK
Based: UK
Ships to: UK
Price from: £350 / $447
Vintage or new: New
Warranty/returns/resizing: 30-day return period. Resizing services available.
Sustainability creds: Net zero goals, Responsible Jewellery Council accreditation
The Goldsmiths UK range includes everything from statement pieces with flashy gemstone features to more subtle styles embracing minimalistic simplicity. Rings come with the option of a variety of gemstone cuts, including classic favourites such as Princess-cut diamonds and cushion-cut sapphire.
Goldsmiths UK has made some good strides in improving its sustainable and ethical practices. The label has set goals to have net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company also uses conflict free diamonds and gold, and has been accredited by the Responsible Jewellery Council.
4. Catbird
Based: USA
Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: USA
Price from: $134 / £136
Vintage or new: New (recycled diamonds used in some designs)
Warranty/returns/resizing: Repair/replacement offered for faulty products, complimentary resizing within a year of purchase.
Sustainability creds: Use of recycled materials, recycled and lab-grown gemstones, give back schemes
A worthy addition to our roundup of the best affordable ethical engagement rings, Catbird’s collection of rings have an intricate subtlety that makes them unique in the market. Inspired by the likes of Orion’s Belt and shooting stars, these jewellery pieces are designed with enviable understated charm.
Catbird has a strong focus on sourcing ethical materials. The label’s designs incorporate elements including recycled 14k gold, recycled diamonds and lab-grown diamonds. The company also collaborates with nonprofits to support worthy causes.
5. Aurate
Based: USA
Ships to: Worldwide
Price from: £405 / $475
Vintage or new: New
Warranty/returns/resizing: 15 day return window and exchanges accepted within 30 days. Lifetime repair guarantee (USA only)
Sustainability creds: Use of recycled gold, Kimberley Process sourced diamonds, sustainably harvested pearls, give-back schemes
Aurate creates jewellery styles that hold a unique place in the market. Incorporating bright gemstones and bold designs, many of the pieces from this ethical company have an almost art deco feel to them.
Aurate has put time into ensuring that it sources its materials from ethical supply chains. The diamonds the company uses are sourced in collaboration with the Kimberley process, while pearls are sourced from family run farms that practise sustainable harvesting.
6. Ella Stein
Based: USA
Ships to: USA
Made in: India
Price from: $95 / £76
Vintage or new: New (recycled diamonds used in some designs)
Warranty/returns/resizing: 7 day return period
Sustainability creds: Ethically sourced diamonds, made to order production, recycling initiative, use of recycled metals, Responsible Jewellery Council, Women’s Jewelry Association member (supporting women in the jewellery industry)
Ella Stein is the home of everything from diamond studded rings crafted into the shapes of arrows and XOs, to stackable styles that never go out of fashion. Ella Stein statement jewellery pieces adopt a combination of quirky charm and elegant simplicity that makes for a truly unforgettable jewellery design.
By choosing an in-house production approach, Ella Stein can ensure that workers are paid living wages. The manufacturing unit is plastic free, and sustainable and recycled materials are used in production.
7. Bario Neal
Based: USA
Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: USA
Price from: $90 / £70
Vintage or new: New and heirloom redesign
Warranty/returns/resizing: 30-day return period. One-year warranty. Complimentary resizing within one year of purchase.
Sustainability creds: Handmade products, lab-grown diamonds, conflict-free gems, Fairmined metals, recycled metals, sustainable packaging
Bario Neal is the home of stunning jewellery pieces that uphold a classic beauty. If you have an heirloom ring that you would love as your engagement ring, Bario Neal also offers an heirloom redesign service to make a legacy piece perfect for its new wearer.
Bario Neal makes its radiant products in-house and traces the majority of its supply chain. Alongside using recycled materials in its products, the label also uses recycled materials in its packaging to further reduce its overall environmental impact.
8. Belle Smith
Based: UK
Ships to: UK
Made in: UK
Price from: £190 / $242
Vintage or new: New
Sustainability creds: Slow production approach
UK-based jewellery house Belle Smith is the master of creating beautiful bespoke and one-of-a-kind ring designs. Their handcrafted pieces have a nature-inspired feel, featuring hammered-look details and expertly placed gems.
Belle Smith’s handmade production model helps to reduce waste in its supply chain and supports a more sustainable slow fashion approach. It is unclear where the label sources its gemstones and precious metals from.
9. Noemie
Based: USA
Ships to: USA (contact the organisation for international delivery)
Made in: USA & Thailand
Price from: $390
Vintage or new: New
Warranty/returns/resizing: 30-day return period. Resizing available – contact the organisation to arrange. Lifetime warranty. Complimentary resizing within one year of purchase.
Sustainability creds: Ethical and reclaimed materials
Noemie incorporates sustainable and ethical materials in its jewellery pieces. This includes materials such as reclaimed 18K gold and using only conflict-free diamonds.
With both certified natural and lab grown diamonds on offer, Noemie rings feature these stunning gemstones from 1-7 carat. You can even customise the diamond size and grade when choosing one of their affordable ethical engagement rings.
10. Edge of Ember
Based: UK
Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: Thailand, Italy & China
Price from: £105 / $134
Vintage or new: New
Warranty/returns/resizing: Two-year warranty. 30-day refund and exchange period.
Sustainability creds: Recycled metals, lab-grown diamonds, Responsible Jewellery Council certified makers, sustainable packaging, supports charitable initiatives, recycling program
Edge of Ember has a wide range of stylish rings at some seriously affordable prices. Incorporating materials such as white topaz, pearls and diamonds, rings from the organisation have a delicateness in their design.
Edge of Ember takes a well-rounded approach to sustainability, focusing on materials, production and giving back. As well as using independently certified suppliers and sustainable and recycled materials, it has also supported initiatives such as the Malala Fund.
11. Brilliant Earth
Based: USA
Ships to: Worldwide
Price from: £435 / $450
Vintage or new: New
Warranty/returns/resizing: Lifetime warranty. 30-day return period.
Sustainability creds: Kimberley Process diamonds, use of recycled metals, Beyond Conflict Free diamonds, traced supply chain, give back and charitable schemes, partnered with Alliance for Responsible Mining
Brilliant Earth’s ethical engagement rings come in styles that range from effortlessly modern to perfectly vintage-inspired. The label’s expertly designed rings include details such as twisted metal bands to make these beautiful pieces of jewellery even more special.
Brilliant Earth has put significant effort into ensuring that its rings have a limited environmental and social impact. The label traces its supply chains and works with certified bodies such as Alliance for Responsible Mining to ensure that it can stand behind its ethical claims.
12. Etsy Vintage
Based: Various locations
Ships to: Worldwide (dependant on individual seller policy)
Price from: £111
Vintage or new: Vintage
Warranty/returns/resizing: Dependant on seller
Sustainability creds: Vintage rings, various sellers support varying levels of ethical practices
For lovers of vintage style, Etsy is a great place to find a one-of-a-kind engagement ring. Hosting a wide variety of sellers and makers, Etsy caters to a large range of tastes and preferences with rings available across a large section of price points.
As Etsy is a platform that hosts many different sellers, ethical shoppers can find vendors that uphold ethical policies that align with their beliefs. As vintage rings on Etsy are not newly made products, these styles not only come with a story, but also reduce the need for a new product to be unnecessarily made.
13. Loveness Lee
Based: UK
Ships to: Worldwide
Made in: UK
Price from: £145 / $190 / €179
Vintage or new: New
Warranty/returns/resizing: Complimentary repair service, return and exchange within 14 days of receiving the product
Sustainability creds: Use of recycled metals, lab-grown diamonds, small batch production
Inspired by the shapes and textures of nature, Loveness Lee crafts rings that lean into abstract design concepts. Pieces are handmade using luxurious materials, including freshwater pearls, lab-grown diamonds and recycled sterling silver.
Loveness Lee’s approach to manufacturing helps to limit wastage by implementing small batch production. Meanwhile, its repair and after-care program helps to keep your jewellery looking great well into the future.
14. With Clarity
Based: USA
Ships to: USA, UK & Canada
Price from: £438 / $540
Vintage or new: New
Warranty/returns/resizing: Free USA returns. Free resizing within 30 days.
Sustainability creds: La-grown diamonds, conflict-free diamonds, Kimberley Process diamonds
With both stunning expertly designed preset collections and customisation options available, With Clarity creates affordable ethical engagement rings that celebrate every love story. Many of the rings include lab-grown diamonds and incorporate delicate design details such as braided bands or Celtic knot stone settings.
With Clarity also offers a handy home preview service, where customers can try on two replica rings at home to help choose the perfect style. Natural diamonds used by the label are conflict-free.
Rings for under £1,000 / $1,000
15. Mejuri
Based: North America (UK stores)
Ships to: Worldwide
Price from: £548 / $701
Vintage or new: New
Warranty/returns/resizing: 2 year warranty. 30-day return period.30-day exchange period.
Sustainability creds: Use of recycled metals, conflict-free diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, philanthropy schemes, Positive Luxury Butterfly Mark certified
Mejuri ethical engagement rings are dainty and sleek, embracing designs that showcase the quality of the materials. The label’s engagement ring range is a little limited, but focuses on classic gold and silver styles featuring sparkling diamonds.
Mejuri uses lab grown diamonds that have 100% carbon neutral production. The company also uses recycled metals and has achieved Butterfly Mark certification which represents an ongoing commitment to high standards of environmental and social responsibility.
16. Miadonna
Based: USA
Ships to: Worldwide
Price from: $520
Vintage or new: New
Warranty/returns/resizing: Lifetime guarantee on settings and stones. 30-day return and exchange period. Two year warranty. 30-day refund and exchange period. Free 90-day resizing period.
Sustainability creds: Conflict-free diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, support The Greener Diamond Foundation, B Corp certified, Green America seal of Approval, recycled metals, carbon neutral shipping
With designs inspired by the beauty of the natural world, Miadonna engagement rings shine bright. These master craftsmen have created floral-like arrangements of glittering gemstones and intricately twisted bands that include ethically sourced gems and sustainable materials.
Miadonna has a strong attitude of giving back. Alongside its use of ethically sourced diamonds, the company donates 10% of profits from every purchase to help those that have been negatively impacted by the global diamond and precious metal trade.
17. James Allen
Based: USA
Ships to: Worldwide
Price from: £652 / $790
Vintage or new: New
Warranty/returns/resizing: Lifetime warranty. Free resizing within a year of purchase
Sustainability creds: Conflict-free diamonds, lab-grown diamonds
A leading online jewellery platform, James Allen has experience when it comes to engagement rings. The company has preset rings that are ready to ship and the option to customise or create your own ring design for those seeking a personal touch.
James Allen specialises in using conflict-free diamonds and boasts that they have more than 500,000 certified conflict-free diamonds in their collections. Not forgetting the importance of good customer service, the label also offers a 24-hour customer service facility.
An ethical engagement
Finding the perfect engagement ring is a very personal thing. Brands creating stunning affordable ethical engagement rings are making it easier for every conscious consumer to find the ring of their dreams and embark on love stories that are truly one of a kind.
You might also be interested in our other jewellery guides:
- 12 ethical jewellery brands UK for sparkle and shine
- 10 great brands for ethical engagement rings and wedding bands UK
- All that glitters: what is slow jewellery