5 High-Quality Engagement Rings
There’s a lot to think about when buying an engagement ring. As a universal symbol of love and commitment, an engagement ring carries more significance than most other pieces of jewellery. Amid increasing climate change, it’s important for couples to choose a ring that reflects the type of future they want to have together. That includes the future of the planet.
Vestiaire Collective offers affordable rings for every style and budget that don’t harm the earth. Pre-loved and vintage rings are becoming more popular with stylish people who want a unique, beautiful ring and want to keep their carbon footprint low. In this guide, we’ll show you some of the best pre-loved options for engagement rings that are kind to your wallet and the planet.
Anita Ko
Anita Ko is an award-winning fine jewellery designer based in Los Angeles. Her collection is sophisticated with an edge. She is a darling of the red carpet with clients including Charlize Theron and Scarlett Johannsen, who wore a custom pair of Anita Ko earrings to the 2020 Academy Awards. Other high-powered women who wear Anita Ko include Michelle Obama and Jordan’s Queen Rania. But Anita Ko designs sparkle on women from any walk of life, bringing cross-generational elegance into day-to-day experiences.
Anita Ko’s collection of engagement rings is luxurious yet also accessible. The modern woman wants an authentic piece for everyday wear that will make her feel empowered and beautiful. Just ask model Kate Upton, who ordered a stunning custom-made Anita Ko ring for her nuptials. Anita Ko uses incredibly high-quality materials that are triple vetted for excellence, leaving you proud to be seen with this ring on your finger.
Anita Ko specialises in the baguette-cut setting, which blends a vintage allure with a modern twist. Since the baguette cut has fewer facets than some other cuts, precision is paramount. Anita Ko is renowned for its skill with diamonds, so you’ll be in good hands with this brand. These rings are designed for stacking, allowing you to have fun layering all your favourites.
Anita Ko’s creative and masterful designs are often bespoke and one-of-a-kind, therefore it’s best to acquire these pre-loved on Vestiaire. It’s also a great way to get a diamond that’s guaranteed to have the lowest possible carbon footprint since it doesn’t demand mining any new material.
Harry Winston
You can hardly do better when selecting an engagement ring than going with one of the most desirable names in luxury jewellery. The brand was even mentioned in the famous song “Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend.” Harry Winston, also known as the “jeweller to the stars,” has a legacy going back eight decades. His eye for detail and impeccable craftsmanship is what has set this brand ahead of its peers.
Harry Winston possesses an inventory of some of the most beautiful and rare diamonds on earth, including, at one point, the famous Hope Diamond. Harry Winston creates each design around the particular gemstone, making no two pieces the same. The exclusivity of each design means your engagement ring will be as unique as your love. It’s been the jeweller of choice for several discerning lovebirds like Jackie Kennedy, Paris Hilton, and Jennifer Lopez, who opted for a breathtaking pink diamond.
Anyone wanting a show-stopping engagement ring will want to download the Vestiaire Collective app to purchase a pre-loved Harry Winston. Doing so extends the lifespan of the diamond fights against climate change.
Unfortunately, the exceptional stones featured in Harry Winstons require a great deal of resources that take a significant toll on the environment through soil erosion and deforestation. But with over 80 years of Harry Winston creations already in existence, you don’t need to contribute more environmental damage to have a gorgeous engagement ring. Vestiaire Collective has excellent deals on this legendary jeweller, so you can make an earth-friendly investment that doesn’t break the bank.
Cartier
Cartier is so beloved as a choice for engagement rings that Prince Rainier gave not one but two to his betrothed, Grace Kelly. She wore them during “High Society,” the last movie she would ever make before settling into her life as a royal. She was such a devotee of the luxury brand that the prince also gave her a Cartier necklace as a wedding present that her granddaughter later wore for her own wedding day. This enchanting scenario highlights the importance of choosing an enduring piece of jewellery because these can become cherished family heirlooms passed down to future generations.
We should always think about the future when making a jewellery purchase, particularly the future of the planet. Mining for precious gemstones is so invasive that it has a substantial negative impact on the earth. The effect can be seen through biodiversity loss and increased air and water pollution around mining sites.
But luxury can be compatible with sustainability if we all put in an effort. Cartier has committed to the planet by using 90% recycled gold and sourcing only conflict-free diamonds that adhere to the Kimberley Process. It has also been climate-neutral since 2009. You can have an even smaller carbon footprint for your ring by choosing from the top pieces on Vestiaire Collective. Pre-loved jewellery is the best way to shop without contributing to climate change. With an exceptional jewellery brand like Cartier, you can feel proud of the ring you wear. It represents not only your love for your partner but of your love for the planet.
Van Cleef & Arpels
Van Cleef & Arpels knows about love. The brand was born from the union of the daughter of a precious gems dealer and the son of a stonecutter way back in 1895. Their shared passion for jewellery culminated in the brand that is now known and respected worldwide. So, when shopping for an engagement ring for your own love story, take a look at the pre-loved Van Cleef & Arpels options on Vestiaire Collective for a sustainable way to say, “I Do.” You’ll join a list of stylish women like Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who chose VCA for an engagement ring, or Mariah Carey, who never takes off her distinctive VCA butterfly ring as a mark of her independence.
More and more millennials and Gen-Zers are pushing for companies to enact sustainable practices throughout all stages of production. Though this brand has over a century of experience, its jewellery remains relevant to a younger audience thanks to its whimsical designs and commitment to responsibility. Van Cleef & Arpels finds inspiration in the natural world, which fits those brides who want to represent their love of the earth in their engagement ring.
The House takes flora and fauna as a starting point for their creations to make poetic pieces that you will treasure. VCA is also a pioneer in the jewellery realm for pushing for more transparent supply chain ethics.
You’ve made a commitment to a future with the person you love. Make a commitment to improving the future of the planet by acquiring your engagement ring pre-loved on Vestiaire Collective- the online community to buy and sell fashion sustainably.
Tiffany & Co
Very little will make your heart beat faster than seeing the famous little blue box that means you got a Tiffany & Co. ring. The solitaire diamond ring setting that has become iconic debuted in 1886 has changed very little since its creation. The simple design will forever be a symbol for everlasting love. It’s the most popular setting for an engagement ring in the world, highlighting and enhancing the brilliance of the diamond in a classic style.
In keeping with the times, this past spring Tiffany released its first-ever engagement ring for men. After all, it’s the 21st century, and we can do things differently than before. This includes the way that we choose to shop for jewellery. As consumers, we are becoming more aware of the consequences of our purchases. We know that the diamond industry has a troubled past. But we can change the future of the jewellery industry by choosing to support ethical companies and prioritising pre-loved jewellery.
Tiffany & Co. is a leader in environmental stewardship, driven to positively impact the planet by changing the course of the jewellery business. In 2020 it issued a series of ambitious sustainability goals that we would love to see other jewellery companies adopt, everything from responsibility in sourcing material to using recycled packaging.
Even though you will (fingers crossed) only have one engagement ring in your life, it’s important that you shop responsibly. Vestiaire Collective offers luxury rings from Tiffany & Co. in the most environmentally responsible way possible.
We know that picking an engagement ring can be a little daunting. For the environmentally-conscious couple, a sustainable ring is a must. After all, you only get one engagement ring, and you’ll likely wear it nearly every day of your life. If you want something beautiful yet comfortable and durable and one that reflects your values, second-hand is the way to go.
For the millennial generation, second-hand engagement rings are becoming more and more popular. This is a generation that has rejected the notion that jewellery must be new to have value. A ring is a symbol of the love you have for another person. A second-hand ring has the added significance that you have strong ethics and are committed to helping the earth heal. That’s a beautiful thing. Not to mention, there are all the other advantages of pre-loved jewellery like affordability, high quality, and access to limited collections and vintage one-of-a-kind treasures. Gold can be polished, and diamonds are the hardest element on earth, so your ring will sparkle just as brightly as the day it was made. And you can be proud to join the thousands of couples who are opting to challenge the status quo by choosing pre-loved diamonds.
We hope this guide has helped you feel confident and empowered that you and your loved one can wear a symbol of your love that doesn’t come at the expense of the earth’s forests, waterways, and biodiversity. Even the top luxury brands are available in a way that respects the environment by shopping on the Vestiaire app. Getting engaged is a big step, and Vestiaire is here to make it a little easier and a lot more sustainable.