about our featured blogger

We're so excited to have Pilar Zuniga, founder of Gorgeous & Green Events, blogging on our site. Gorgeous & Green Events is a San Francisco-based event planning company that relies on green and sustainable business practices, from using fair trade flowers to supporting local businesses. Pilar says, "I want to help clients create an event that illlustrates the joy, love, or happiness that they feel and minimize the negative impact on the environment and its inhabitants."

Special thanks to Strut Photography, Widdis Photography and Kim Box Photography for our featured Green wedding photos

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Sustainable Wedding Jewelry

Let's talk about the bling. For most weddings, there are usually rings involved and possibly some other pieces of jewelry that are either bought, borrowed or gifted. So guess what? Those purchases can be green and sustainable just like everything else. Here are some ways to make them more green:

1. Buy used.
This is probably one the most green/sustainable options out there if you are willing to buy jewelry or rings that once belonged to someone else. The silver, gold, platinum, diamonds, gemstones, what have you, are already circulating this round world of ours and the deed is done. By buying them and using them again, you are giving them continued life to be enjoyed for more years to come. This is something that I did for my wedding and I was able to find this wonderful vintage turquoise necklace and crystal hair comb:

photo credit: erinbeach.com

2. Buy used and remake.
You can also buy pieces that you can have melted to make something new, as in the case of my wedding band and that of my husband's. The stones were from family member's old jewelry and I found some used gold rings to melt down. But finding a jeweler who has the mechanics to melt them down may take some investigation.

3. Buy from sustainably sourced and green jewelers.
If you want to let someone else do the recycling, sourcing and designing, there are a few jewelry designers and companies that can offer sustainable, recycled, fair trade and consciously made jewelry. Some specialize in wedding bands and rings, others in evening jewelry or gifts for bridesmaids and such. Here are a few that not only offer recycled gold and recycled or sustainably sourced jewels, but who also include green and sustainable business practices and philosophy.

Brilliant Earth

offer conflict free, fair trade & Canadian diamonds from ethical and sustainable sources
use recycled gold and platinum
offer ethical origin sapphires
give 5% of their profits to local African communities harmed by the diamond industry
offer fine jewelry including: earrings, necklaces, rings, wedding rings
offer custom design services
jewelry comes with material sourcing information
packaged in sustainably harvested Rimu wooden boxes

Green Karat

use recycled precious metals
use recycled and unmined gemstones
use eco labeling to share the story of their jewelry
use fair trade practices
offer a registry option where family/friends can offer their old jewelry to be made into your new wedding rings
offer custom design services
offer wedding bands, rings, some earrings and other jewelry options

Ruff and cut

use conflict free diamonds
use recycled precious metals
donate 10% of their sales to nonprofits who work to improve the lives of people in Mining Communities
jewelry comes with material sourcing information
offer rings, bands and some earrings and other jewelry options

Green Diva

use recycled precious metals
source from suppliers who use fair trade practices
use recycled crystals,renewable and untreated jewels and materials
plant a tree for every piece of jewelry sold
offer services to refashion old jewelry
jewelry comes with an eco key that explains sourcing and fair trade elements
offer for a $15 discount if you recycle an old phone
send jewelry in a pouch made from recycled wedding dresses
offer earrings, bracelets and necklaces for a bride or other wedding party members

Kyler Designs

source from US and local suppliers
created pieces that can be reused over and over
use mostly recycled metals and precious metals
use recyclable glass jewels from recycled/partially recycled glass
they recycle and practice green business practices
donate to portion of profits to local and other non profits including National Breast Cancer Foundation, National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease and SF Food Bank
plant a tree for every order made
working on being more green and sustainable and carbon neutral
offer daytime and evening jewelry including earrings, bracelets and necklaces

Remember that any steps, even little ones, cumulatively have a big impact if we all challenge ourselves to make them.

G&G

-- posted by Pilar Zuniga

posted on Monday 12/21/2009

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