Why You Should Choose Eco-Friendly Jewelry
As modern consumers become more aware of how the jewelry trade impacts the environment, more and more are demanding eco-friendly options. From lab-grown diamonds to recycled gold, there are several ways jewelers can reduce their impact on the natural world. Read on to learn how you can get a beautiful piece of eco-friendly jewelry made according to stringent social and ethical standards.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
For consumers in search of an eco-friendly alternative to traditional mined diamonds, lab-grown gems are a perfect choice. Created in dedicated facilities using specialized equipment, these stunning diamonds are identical both chemically and optically to a natural mined stone.
Compared to traditional mined diamonds, however, lab-grown diamonds have a significantly lower impact on the natural environment. For just a single carat of diamond mined, almost 6,000 pounds of waste is created and nearly 100 square feet of natural land is disturbed. Mined diamonds can also result in human rights issues, while helping to fund wars and illegal activities.
With ethically sourced mined diamonds like the kind sold by John Atencio, this isn’t the case. That said, lab-created synthetic diamonds are almost always more environmentally friendly than traditional diamonds that must be mined from the soil. They are also held to the same unyielding quality standards as natural diamonds.
Recycled Gold
From 2005 and 2010, recycled gold only made up around 35% of the available gold on the planet. That number has risen considerably as consumers have become more aware of how it helps the environment.
Many nations have experienced deforestation, soil erosion and other serious issues where gold miners have been working for decades.
Chemicals such as cyanide and mercury, are also involved in the traditional mining process, causing even more lasting damage to natural ecosystems. This affects everything from wildlife to food production, and the impact can last for centuries.
Recycled gold reduces the strain on these nations by limiting the environmental impact of gold mining. Circuit boards, catalytic converters and many computing components comprise the bulk of recycled gold in circulation throughout the world. Still, even though the sources may seem less than glamorous, modern melting and refining processes result in flawless purity, which lets jewelers create high-quality alloys for stunning jewelry pieces.
A cost-effective way to make gold more affordable in jewelry, recycled gold is also a great choice for eco-conscious consumers who want high-quality pieces. John Atencio is proud to use recycled gold and ethically sourced gemstones in all his classic creations, so customers can shop responsibly without ever having to sacrifice quality.
Shopping Responsibly
Few jewelers maintain John Atencio’s unrelenting integrity and strict adherence to ethical and social standards, which include adhering to the Kimberly Process Certification Scheme (KPCS), a global effort to fight the global trade of controversial "conflict diamonds" used to fund human trafficking, war and other harmful activities. All too often, people inadvertently support unethical activities abroad by shopping at jewelers who source their jewels and metals without vetting the providers.
John Atencio’s steadfast commitment to sustainable and ethical diamond sourcing is based on long-standing professional relationships with miners, diamond suppliers and cutters. This dedication gives customers the complete confidence that his diamonds are always free from any taint of war or any type of human exploitation. If you’re planning to buy a jewelry piece with a traditional mined diamond, you’d be well-advised to check to see if the jeweler has the same strict standards as John Atencio.
At the same time, selecting a lab-grown diamond will eliminate any remaining concerns over the environmental impact and human toll associated with mining diamonds. John Atencio takes an ethical approach when sourcing the finest materials for his artfully crafted jewelry pieces, and his lab-made diamonds are the current standard for ethics and responsible environmental stewardship in the modern diamond trade.
At John Atencio, we take great pride in conducting business with integrity and social awareness. If you're searching for eco-friendly jewelry, John Atencio is the only name you need to know. Explore our man-made synthetic diamonds or make an appointment at one of our many locations, where our knowledgeable team can help you choose a masterfully crafted eco-friendly piece of jewelry for you or that special someone.
