With the rise of social responsibility and corporate transparency, most couples today want an ethical jeweler for their special moments. But what makes one jeweler more ethical than another? Well, it turns out that there are lots of ways that a jeweler can make an ethical impact on the world. Read more to see how Do Amore maximizes its social and environmental impact with every purchase.

TLDR: Ethical sourcing, conflict free diamonds, recycled gold, sustainable lab created diamonds and gemstones, carbon neutral shipping, sustainable boxes. PLUS! Every purchase helps to build a well in a developing country.

Ethical Sourcing

Many jewelers claim to use ethical practices in their sourcing, however one reason our founder created Do Amore was because he found holes in many of the practices. Making truly ethical jewelry means making eco-friendly, pro human-rights choices across the board. This means using ethical diamonds and gems, from mines that adhere to human rights best practices, setting them in recycled gold, shipping in sustainable packages, and making the entire transaction carbon neutral. How does your jeweler accomplish these goals? Here are the steps Do Amore takes:

Lab Created Diamonds

Lab created diamonds are a great way to ensure your jewelry is ethical and sustainable. This is because, generally, creating a diamond in a lab uses fewer resources than mining efforts do. And, many diamond growers use carbon neutral, sustainable methods to grow gems! For example, we work with cutters that use plasma, wind, and solar sources to power their factories. And, lab created stones are a fraction of the cost of their natural counterparts! So, it’s a win win.

Conflict-Free Natural Diamonds

If you want a natural diamond, ethical jewelers go above and beyond the Kimberley Process. The Kimberley Process was created in May 2000 as a method for certifying diamonds against funding war or rebels. And, 99.8% percent of the jewelry industry now participates in the Kimberley Process. This means that virtually all natural diamonds sold today are conflict free! And, Do Amore goes beyond the Kimberley Process by refusing to source from areas experiencing conflict, just in case.

Founder’s Note: Our goal is to educate people on the best options for ethical jewelry – oftentimes this means lab created. However, if a customer wants a natural stone, we feel it is our responsibility to find them one that is made in the most ethical manner possible. 

Blockchain Enabled Natural Diamonds

One of our favorite ethical options is blockchain enabled natural diamonds. “Blockchain enabled” means that the diamond has a unique ledger that lists every person who has touched it, from mine to you. This type of chain gives ultimate peace of mind and maximum accountability. Plus, you get to see each of the craftsmen who helped find and shape your stone! Blockchain enabled diamond reports are truly unique and fascinating!

Lab Created Gemstones for Ultimate Sustainability

Choosing a lab created gemstone means your gem is super ethical and sustainable. And, our lab created gems are some of the most sustainably grown in the world! Gem scientists are able to grow large crystals over relatively short periods of time, in comparison to natural gems taking hundreds of thousands of years. And lab gems require no mining! As a result, lab grown gemstones are a great commitment to our planet.

Natural Gemstones for the Ethical Jeweler

Do Amore only sources from ethical gemstone cutters and we can source country-specific gems! Our favorite gem cutter is also a Diamond Sightholder, meaning they adhere to the strictest ethical and environmental requirements on the planet. Most of our gems come from artisanal (small scale) miners who live and mine in their own communities. As a result, these miners intimately know how to work their gem deposits using minimally damaging techniques. And, these small scale operations help to support families and local communities.

Recycled Precious Metal

In addition to using the most ethical, sustainable gems and diamonds, we also only use recycled gold, recycled platinum, and recycled palladium in our jewelry. In fact, Do Amore signed the No Dirty Gold commitment its first day. Because of precious metal’s ability to be fully refined, gold and other precious metals are infinitely recyclable! In fact, recycled gold, palladium, and platinum are just as gorgeous and strong when recycled as when first used. Using recycled precious metal just means less impact to the Earth and its people.

Sustainable Boxes

And what about the packaging? Once you have created sustainable, ethical jewelry, make sure not to ruin the impact! All of Do Amore’s jewelry comes in beautiful Jarrah Wood boxes – the most sustainable wood on the planet. Do Amore orders these boxes in large quantity for the smallest shipping impact. And to offset the energy spent during shipment, we purchase carbon credits.

Carbon Credits for the Ethical Jeweler

Speaking of carbon credits! Do Amore purchases carbon credits to offset environmental impact! What is a carbon credit, exactly? Carbon credits are permanent investments in climate action which reduce emissions across the globe. And, projects certified for carbon credits must make an “additional” difference! That means carbon credits fund changes that would otherwise not happen. Projects can include the protection of ecosystems, the restoration of forests, or the reduction of reliance on fossil fuels.

Give Back to Those in Need

Do Amore stands apart as an ethical jeweler for its commitment to not just not hurting the world, but actually helping the world. EVERY Do Amore purchase gives a person in a developing country access to clean water. This way a couple literally changes another life forever on their special day. This is at the heart of our company, and even prove it. After you receive your order, you can look up the physical GPS coordinates and see a photo of the actual water well you helped build, along with information on the community that now has access to clean water, thanks to you. You can check out our impact here.

Have questions about ethical jeweler, Do Amore?

Write us here, or drop us an email at care@doamore.com! We’d be happy to answer your questions, and tell you more!

Have you dreamed up your own custom engagement ring? Do you have it all planned out down to teeny-tiny details? Or, do you love the idea of designing your own engagement ring, but need to know where to start? Read on below to learn how fast and easy it is to make your dream ring from your computer to your doorstep! Designing your own engagement ring is easy. Here’s how it works in six easy steps!

Custom vs Build Your Own Custom Engagement Ring

Real quick. There are many options out there that allow you to “build your own” engagement ring. This usually involves selecting one of several pre-made ring options, choosing a center stone, and having the jeweler combine them. A truly custom engagement ring, however, is one that is built from scratch! This means coming up with a unique idea and bringing it to life! So, with a custom engagement ring, the sky is the limit. Whatever colors, styles, or special details you want, you can have. Here’s how:

Step 1: Search for Photos

The first step of your journey is to come up with your special, bespoke design. Many couples look through Pinterest or Instagram to find design details they like. What’s great about doing a custom engagement ring is that you can add, subtract, and create whatever you want. So, look for bands that you like, prongs that you like, and unique details that may work for your ring. Also, decide on center stone size and shape, as well as band color. Some couples send us one photo, others send dozens, and still, others have sketched out their own idea. Do whatever works best for you – we can work with anything!

Step 2: Think of Special Details

Then, think about what makes you special as a couple. Perhaps your partner’s favorite color, a special hobby, or a unique personality trait? These details can be used to make your ring even more personal. A few special details I’ve used in custom engagement rings in the past include:

• A “crown” setting for a bride that loves Disney Princesses;
• Secret inclusion of the couple’s birthstones on the inside of the engagement ring band;
• An extra halo of diamonds for a very sparkly bride; and
• A compass setting for a couple that loved to sail.

As you can see, there are a ton of options! These little details make your ring one of a kind.

Step 3: Get a Free Quote within 24-48 hours!

Once you gather your favorite photos and ideas, email us here. Show us your inspo and let us know what you’re thinking, and we’ll give you a free quote within 24-48 hours. We give our couples custom ring setting quotes in multiple metal choices (such as white gold, platinum, and palladium). That way, you can choose what’s right for you (and on budget).

Do I need to have a center stone picked out first?

Nope. We find that the most helpful way of quoting a custom engagement ring is to let you know the cost of the setting without the center stone. This way, you can choose a center stone that fits your budget. To get your total quote, just add up the ring setting quote with the center stone of your choosing. There’s no sales tax if you ship outside of Texas. By the way, if you need help choosing a center stone, we’d be happy to help there, too.

Step 4: Get & Approve Your 3D Design within 3 days

Once you choose your metal and gems, we will create and send a fully-detailed 3D sketch of your bespoke custom engagement ring. You will receive this 3D artwork within 3 business days. At this time, you will be able to see your custom design from all angles, in the exact color and size you’ve selected. Our couples tell us that this artwork is really helpful in truly visualizing their one-of-a-kind ring. Also, because we want to make sure that every detail of your special ring is perfect, we welcome you to ask us any questions and provide feedback. We can provide up to three rounds of artwork (including the initial rendering) with your changes.

Step 5: We Create Your Custom Engagement Ring within 14 days

Once you approve your perfect 3D design, we will create your bespoke, ethical engagement ring from scratch within 2 weeks! Do Amore uses only recycled metals and conflict-free gems, so you can feel confident your custom ring was curated in the most ethical, sustainable way. In fact, every ring purchased from Do Amore is made right here in the USA, and helps provide clean water to a developing nation.

Step 6: Your Custom Engagement Ring Arrives to Your Door in 14-18 days!

We ship using FedEx, fully insured, so you can rest assured your ring will be safely delivered to your doorstep, generally 18 days after you approve your artwork. Shipping within the USA is free! Each Do Amore ring is delivered with a beautiful Jarrah wood box (no plastic!) for presentation and safekeeping.

Have more questions about how to design a custom engagement ring?

We’d love to hear from you! You can send me (Corinne) and Allison (our custom design manager) a note here, or email us at care@doamore.com with any questions or quote requests!

You’ve heard the buzz – there are diamonds in Canada! But what makes them special? Are they any better than other diamonds out there? There’s quite a bit to learn about them, and some really cool stuff they stand for. Let’s chat.

What are Canadian Diamonds?

Natural diamonds, ethically and sustainably mined in Canada. They are 100% conflict free. And, they are independently certified to be ethically, environmentally, and socially conscious. Since first discovering diamonds around 20 years ago, Canada has grown to be the world’s third largest diamond producer. Today, diamonds mined in Canada make up about 15% of the world’s supply of diamonds.

Who Certifies Canadian Diamonds?

Canadian Federal Government oversees all mining activity in Canada. They also feel so strongly about their sustainable practices that they certify each diamond as 100% ethical. All diamonds from Canada have a special Certificate of Authenticity, in compliance with the Canadian Federal Government Code of Conduct. This certificate specifically identifies that the gem was mined in Canada under strict laws and practices.

What is Canadamark?

Canadamark is an exclusive diamond certification for stones from the Ekati and Diavik mines. Diamonds with a “Canadamark” are tracked from discovery, through cutting and polishing, right to your finger!

Canadamark Diamonds have a unique report and serial number. Couples can use this serial number to look up their diamond’s history and traits. This special number is also laser inscribed on the stone along with the Canadamark logo. Don’t worry, it’s so small it’s not visible without a microscope. However, it’s important, as it shows the gem was “independently audited” by the Canadian Government. So, a Canadamark gives couples peace of mind that their gem was sustainably mined and is 100% conflict free!

What extra information do I get on a Canadian Diamond?

Most Diamond reports include color, cut, and clarity. However, a Canadian Diamond “Birth Certificate” has additional info. Unique info includes where it was mined and even how big the rough crystal was before cutting! Isn’t that neat? As noted earlier, the diamond itself also bears its serial number. This is helpful in case you lose your certificate, or sell it in the future. In that case, the future owner of the diamond can see these cool details too, and feel closer to their stone.

How do I buy one?

Only approved jewelers can sell Canadian Diamonds. Fortunately, you’ve found one of them! As Do Amore specializes in ethical, sustainable jewelry, these diamonds fit in naturally! We have a filter right in our search engine for them! Click here to see what 100% ethical diamonds from Canada are available today.

What makes Canadian Diamonds unique?

They’re the Oldest Diamonds in the World

Diamonds formed in Canada 3.5 billion (with a B!) years ago. That’s before we even had continents. Your Canadian Diamond is a time capsule! Also, because of the special way they grew in the extreme cold, these diamond crystals are a little different. And, it often means higher clarity!

They’re Only Mined 6 Weeks Out of the Year

Did you know it drops to -45 degrees in the Northwest Territory in winter? In fact, it’s so cold, that no people live there year-round. Shockingly, there’s only about six weeks every year that are warm enough for workers to safely mine. So, roads and villages are rebuilt every year to house and feed these miners. About 40% of the miners are native peoples. And, this six-week mining window creates thousands of jobs every year. This makes your diamond very special!

They are 100% Ethical

These diamonds are unique for being tracked mine to finger. But also, they have been sourced in an environmentally safe manner, by miners protected by fair wage and strict labor laws. In fact, prior to mining in Canada, diamond miners must prove that their actions will not be harmful. This means they must show they will not negatively affect local communities, plants, air, the water, or animal populations. In other words, couples can feel good about purchasing a diamond from Canada.

Why are Canadian Diamonds important?

Because they have stepped up the ethics of the diamond trade. Couples today think more about where and how their diamonds are mined. So, Canada put forth a revolutionary mine to finger tracking system for their diamonds. As a result, more (non-Canadian) diamond companies have begun tracking their diamond rough as well. This has lead to an overall increase in diamond industry responsibility.

Are Canadian Diamonds more ethical?

Yes. Diamonds from Canada are some of the most ethically, sustainably mined diamonds in the world. Firstly, the Canadian Government requires that diamond miners adhere to strict sustainable practices. Secondly, federal labor laws and fair wage agreements protect miners in Canada. Thirdly, diamond mining in Canada has resulted in several billion dollars’ contribution to the Canadian economy and the communities in which they are mined.

Can you help me select a Canadian Diamond?

I would love to. Couples can use our diamond filter to check out stones currently available, and you can also email me here! My name is Corinne, I’m the gemologist. So, I love talking about these stones. I’d be happy to perform a custom search for your perfect, conflict free diamond.