Ethical jewellery suggestions please! Lab grown diamonds?

[islandcat1]

Currently on the hunt for some ethical jewellery brands to start building my collection ready for post-lockdown.

I'd love some personalised pieces for the names of my sister's children or perhaps some rings to go with my existing wedding band. :)

What does everyone think of lab-grown diamonds? I've just started reading about them but not sure how common they are in the UK.

The most ethical way to buy jewellery is to buy jewellery that already exists. So vintage/antique shops are your friend. Jewellers can always modify stuff to suit your taste.

I got my daughters initial and my younger sons birthstone on a chain from Edge of Ember! I was looking for some personalised jewellery for ages and was sold when I read about their ethical sourcing and production. I saw they have a new range of lab grown diamonds too, will be sending that for birthday ideas haha 😍

I do love vintage pieces! Where do you usually source them? Markets?

@OneCalamerra

The most ethical way to buy jewellery is to buy jewellery that already exists. So vintage/antique shops are your friend. Jewellers can always modify stuff to suit your taste.

Thanks! I just had a look and they have both labgrown diamonds and the kind of letters I was looking for so I'm sold hahah

Vintage and antique all the way, ‘lab grown diamonds’ are just a waste of time. Portobello market London is a fun place to start if you want to get your eye in, you can always bargain. Or try small antiques emporiums. You can also buy on thesaleroom.com - it’s a field that takes years to understand but there are some great books out there to inform yourself with.

I do love Portobello market, I have found it's hard to identify the authentic pieces against the randoms (down to my limited experience). This is why I turned to lab-grown diamonds as I know exactly what it is and where it has come from, I also do like the concept. Maybe in time and some more reading, I'll be more of a market magpie 🕵🏼‍♀️

@islandcat1 there are some genuine and lovely dealers down there, they’ll be happy to educate you and give pointers on where you could start. There’s also a very strong IG antique jewellery community if you’re on there?

I do check IG every now and then, will definitely look into it! Thanks for your advice @LittleLottieChaos. 😁