Ethical Jewelry

Ethical Jewelry: When Beauty Meets Responsibility

Who said fashion and ethics couldn't go hand in hand? At LAUREDI, we firmly believe that beauty only makes sense if it is created responsibly. That's why we work exclusively with laboratory diamonds and 18-karat recycled gold. Let's dive into the fascinating world of ethical jewelry!

What is ethical jewelry?

Ethical jewelry is an approach that considers the social and environmental impact at every stage of creating a piece of jewelry. From extracting raw materials to final manufacturing, every decision is made with care. It's not simply about creating beautiful objects, but creating beautiful and responsible objects.

This approach responds to consumers' growing awareness of the impacts of their purchases. When you choose an ethical piece of jewelry, you're investing in a piece that tells a positive story, from beginning to end.

The 4 pillars of ethical jewelry

Ethical jewelry rests on four fundamental pillars that guarantee responsible creation:

Responsible sourcing: Materials must be traced and obtained ethically. This means knowing the origin of every diamond, every gram of gold. At LAUREDI, our blue diamonds, green diamonds, pink diamonds and yellow diamonds are all laboratory-created, thus eliminating risks related to mining extraction.

Fair working conditions: Every person involved in creating a piece of jewelry deserves fair wages and a safe working environment. This is non-negotiable. Ethical jewelry refuses exploitation and values artisanal craftsmanship.

Environmental sustainability: The goal is to minimize ecological impact at every stage. Traditional mining extraction leaves deep scars on our planet. By opting for alternatives like laboratory diamonds and recycled gold, we drastically reduce our carbon footprint.

Transparency: Clear communication about the origin of materials and manufacturing practices is essential. Consumers have the right to know exactly what they're buying. At LAUREDI, we believe that transparency is not a luxury, it's an obligation.

 

Why laboratory diamonds are ethical

Laboratory diamonds represent a revolution in the jewelry industry. Contrary to popular belief, these diamonds are chemically, physically and optically identical to diamonds extracted from the ground. The only difference? Their origin.

The ethical advantages of laboratory diamonds are considerable. Their production reduces environmental impact by 97% compared to traditional mining extraction. They don't require moving tons of earth, destroying ecosystems or drying up rivers. And above all, they are 100% traceable and guaranteed conflict-free.

At LAUREDI, we have made the exclusive choice of laboratory diamonds for all our creations. Our intense blue diamonds, our emerald green diamonds and our romantic pink diamonds offer vibrant colors impossible to find in nature, while respecting our ethical values.

Ethical and recycled gold: a major challenge

Gold extraction is one of the most problematic sectors of the mining industry. To produce a single gold ring, an average of 20 tons of ore must be moved. The massive use of cyanide and mercury in extraction processes contaminates soils and water tables for decades.

The social impacts are equally concerning. Many gold mines employ workers in dangerous conditions, sometimes for poverty wages. In some regions, gold extraction even finances armed conflicts.

Ethical gold comes from sources that respect strict standards regarding human rights and environmental protection. Certifications like Fairmined guarantee that gold has been extracted under responsible conditions, with a fair price for miners and environmentally respectful practices.

Our choice at LAUREDI? 18-karat recycled gold. Every gram of gold we use has already lived a first life. This approach eliminates the need for new extraction while offering the same exceptional quality.

Recycling and circular economy

Another powerful approach to ethical jewelry consists of giving new life to existing materials. Gold and precious stones can be reused indefinitely without losing their quality. This practice considerably reduces the environmental impact of jewelry.

The concept of circular economy applied to jewelry means that every piece of jewelry can potentially become the raw material for a new creation. An old necklace can transform into modern earrings. A ring inherited from your grandmother can become a contemporary pendant.

This approach makes sense at all levels. Economically, it allows access to noble materials at lower cost. Emotionally, it creates a link between generations and preserves family stories. Ecologically, it drastically reduces the demand for new extraction.

Do you have old jewelry sleeping in a drawer? Discover how to transform them into modern pieces through our bespoke creation service.

Certifications and traceability

In a sector where promises are abundant, how can you ensure that a piece of jewelry is truly ethical? Certifications and traceability are your best allies.

Several organizations offer certifications for ethical jewelry. The Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) verifies that companies respect strict ethical, social and environmental standards throughout their supply chain. Fairmined certifies responsibly extracted gold, guaranteeing decent working conditions and reduced environmental impact.

For diamonds, gemological certificates such as those from the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or IGI (International Gemological Institute) attest to the authenticity and characteristics of stones. For laboratory diamonds, these certificates clearly specify their origin.

Traceability goes further by allowing the complete journey of a material to be tracked, from its source to your finger. Blockchain technologies are beginning to be used in the industry to create immutable registers of a stone or metal's history.

LAUREDI's commitment: concretely

We are proud of our efforts, but we know there's still a long way to go. Here's how we concretize our ethical commitment on a daily basis:

Our diamonds: 100% laboratory-created. We work with certified laboratories that use renewable energies in their production process. Each diamond is accompanied by a gemological certificate attesting to its lab-grown origin. We do not sell any diamonds extracted from the ground.

Our gold: Exclusively 18-karat recycled gold. We work with certified refiners who transform old gold into pure ingots before we shape it. This approach completely eliminates the need for new mining extraction for our creations.

Our manufacturing: Our jewelry is manufactured in France by qualified jeweler artisans. We favor short supply chains and total transparency about our manufacturing processes. Each piece from our Faubourg 1925 collection and our Loop collection is carefully created in our workshop.

Our carbon footprint: We actively work to reduce our environmental footprint. Our packaging is recyclable and we favor grouped deliveries to minimize transportation. We offset unavoidable emissions through reforestation programs.

Every LAUREDI piece of jewelry represents a step toward a more ethical future. Whether it's a ring, earrings, a necklace or a bracelet, you can wear our creations knowing exactly where they come from and how they were made.

The true cost of traditional jewelry

When you buy a traditional piece of jewelry, the price you pay doesn't always reflect the real cost of its production. Negative externalities are not included on the price tag.

Environmental costs are staggering. Extracting a single carat of diamond requires moving approximately 250 tons of earth. Mines create gigantic craters that permanently alter landscapes. Intensive water use dries out entire regions. Chemicals used in ore processing contaminate soils and water tables for generations.

Social costs are equally heavy. In some diamond-producing regions, working conditions are akin to modern slavery. Local communities are often displaced without fair compensation. Mining extraction revenues sometimes fuel armed conflicts, creating what are called "blood diamonds."

Health costs particularly affect mine workers. Exposure to mineral dust causes lung diseases. Accidents in artisanal mines are frequent and often fatal. The use of mercury in gold extraction poisons miners and their families.

By choosing ethical jewelry, you refuse to participate in this system. You vote for a model where the true cost of production is transparent and where negative externalities are minimized or eliminated.

The power of the consumer

By choosing ethical jewelry, you become an agent of change. Every purchase is a vote for a more responsible industry. It's you who decides what kind of world you want to support with your money.

The jewelry market is evolving because consumers demand better. Fifteen years ago, finding ethical jewelry was an ordeal. Today, more and more brands are committing to this path because the demand exists.

But beware of greenwashing. Some brands use terms like "eco-responsible" or "sustainable" without real substance behind them. Ask concrete questions. Where do the diamonds come from? Is the gold recycled or Fairmined certified? What are the manufacturing conditions? A truly ethical brand will be transparent and delighted to share this information.

By opting for pieces like our Loop Pear ring in laboratory diamond or our Faubourg 1925 collection in recycled gold, you support not only elegant design, but also concrete ethical practices. Every creation you wear tells a positive story.

The future of ethical jewelry

We envision a future where transparency will be the norm, where every piece of jewelry will tell a positive story from its creation to its sale. Emerging technologies make this vision increasingly realistic.

Blockchain, for example, already makes it possible to trace every stage of a diamond's or gold ingot's journey. Imagine being able to scan a QR code on your jewelry and instantly discover the exact origin of each material, the artisans who worked on it, and the environmental impact of its production. This total transparency will soon be accessible to everyone.

Laboratory diamonds continue to evolve. New generations of reactors are increasingly energy efficient. Some laboratories already operate entirely on solar energy. Colored diamonds are becoming increasingly accessible, offering hues impossible to find in nature.

The circular economy will develop. Old jewelry buyback and recycling programs will become widespread. Consumers will increasingly accept the idea that the most precious gold is that which already exists, not that which will be extracted.

Personalization and local manufacturing will gain momentum. Consumers want unique pieces that tell their story. Our bespoke creation service responds to this need by allowing everyone to design their ideal piece of jewelry while respecting our ethical values.

Take action

Choosing an ethical piece of jewelry means choosing the future. It means affirming that luxury and responsibility are not incompatible, but on the contrary inseparable. It means proving that one can wear magnificent creations without compromising one's values.

At LAUREDI, we believe that every piece of jewelry should be a source of pride at all levels. Pride in its beauty, of course, but also pride in its story and its positive impact on the world.

Explore our collection of ethical rings in laboratory diamonds, discover our creations in blue diamonds, green diamonds, pink diamonds and yellow diamonds, or create your unique piece of jewelry with the help of our experts.

Do you have questions about our ethical approach or our materials? Our team is here to answer you with complete transparency. Because ethical jewelry begins with honesty and dialogue.

Frequently asked questions

What is an ethical laboratory diamond?

A laboratory diamond is a stone created in a laboratory that possesses exactly the same properties as a natural diamond. It is ethical because its production avoids mining extraction, reduces environmental impact by 97% and guarantees complete traceability without risk of financing conflicts. At LAUREDI, all our diamonds are laboratory-created and accompanied by gemological certificates attesting to their quality and origin.

How to verify that a piece of jewelry is truly ethical?

To verify the ethics of a piece of jewelry, ask for complete traceability of materials. Laboratory diamonds must be accompanied by certificates specifying their lab-grown origin. Gold should be recycled or Fairmined certified. Look for certifications like the Responsible Jewellery Council. A truly ethical brand will be transparent about its sourcing and manufacturing methods. Beware of greenwashing and don't hesitate to ask specific questions.

Does ethical jewelry cost more?

Contrary to popular belief, ethical jewelry is not necessarily more expensive. Laboratory diamonds typically cost 30 to 40% less than their natural equivalents of the same quality. Recycled gold has a similar cost to newly extracted gold. What you pay reflects the true value of the jewelry without indirectly subsidizing environmental destruction or human exploitation. At LAUREDI, our collections offer excellent value-price-ethics.

What is the difference between a laboratory diamond and a natural diamond?

Chemically, physically and optically, there is no difference. Both are pure crystallized carbon. A gemologist can only distinguish them with specialized equipment looking for growth markers. The only real difference is origin: one was formed underground over millions of years, the other was created in a laboratory in a few weeks. Laboratory diamonds offer the same brilliance, hardness and durability as natural diamonds.

Why choose recycled gold rather than new gold?

Recycled gold eliminates the need for mining extraction, which is one of the most destructive industries for the environment. To produce a gold ring, approximately 20 tons of ore must be moved and toxic chemicals used. Gold can be recycled indefinitely without losing any of its qualities. By choosing 18-karat recycled gold, you get the same purity and beauty while respecting the planet.

Can I transform my old jewelry into modern ethical pieces?

Absolutely! Transforming old jewelry is one of the most ethical approaches to jewelry. You can recycle your old jewelry to create contemporary pieces that match your current style. Our bespoke creation service allows you to work with our experts to give new life to your family jewelry while preserving their history and memories.

Are colored laboratory diamonds as ethical as white ones?

Yes, all laboratory diamonds are ethical, regardless of their color. Blue, green, pink and yellow laboratory diamonds even have an additional advantage: natural colored diamonds are extremely rare and therefore often associated with even more intensive extraction. Laboratory versions offer vibrant and intense colors impossible to find in nature, with the same reduced environmental impact.

How does LAUREDI guarantee the ethics of its jewelry?

At LAUREDI, we apply several principles: 100% laboratory-created diamonds with gemological certificates, exclusive use of 18-karat recycled gold from certified refiners, French manufacturing in our workshop with qualified artisans, total transparency about our sourcing, and commitment to continuously reduce our environmental impact. We make no compromises on ethics and we are always happy to answer your questions about our practices.