Have you seen the movie, Blood Diamond? It came out in 2006 while I was in college and it rocked my world (pun intended). How could something so beautiful, so universally cherished and associated with happiness, cause such pain and danger and turmoil for the people mining it? How could it be that the people working so hard to find these treasures are treated so inhumanely by the people trading these treasures? The whole operation seemed so cruel to me and I questioned whether or not I would even want a diamond ring (if I couldn’t find an ethical one) if I was ever to be proposed to.
Well, that moment came a few short years later and SPOILER ALERT (if I’m honest), I handled it very poorly. Let me set the scene:
It’s July 4th, 2010. My boyfriend, Sam, and I had been dating two years to that day. I’m in his apartment, our apartment really. There is a circle of candles scattered around us. He is sitting in front of me with a guitar singing “Memories of Us” by Keith Urban, crying as he expresses his love. Then, he gets down on one knee and asks me to marry him. I look him in the eyes and say an emphatic “YES!” and hug him tightly with such deep joy knowing that this is THE man, MY man. Then, I look at the ring he has in a pretty little box resting on his outstretched hand and I ask “do you know whether or not this a blood diamond?”
The look on his face! Oh it hurts me to even think about it. He was so tender and I came across really strong in a moment that should have had some finesse.
Sam isn’t the kind of guy that asks you what kind of ring you want in advance. He isn’t the kind of guy that preemptively goes ring shopping with you and gets the all the details about what you are thinking. Sam is the kind of guy that wants to surprise you. He’s the kind of guy that doesn’t want you to know something this epic is around the corner. He’s the kind of guy that wants to sweep you off your pretty little pedicured feet.
And my gosh, he did. I didn’t know he was going to propose. I didn’t have any clue what kind of ring he was going to get me. We had never ever discussed it.
Back to proposal day… my intention in my reaction, despite my lack of tact, was pure. I didn’t want to wear something for the rest of my life that had caused someone else suffering.
Here are the facts back in 2010, though. I knew about blood diamonds, Sam did not. When we started getting serious, I started scouring the internet for ethical jewelry. I found Brilliant Earth and started designing my dream engagement ring, but I didn’t tell Sam that.
Turns out, and I made sure to ask, the diamond ring he got me went through the Kimberly process. You can read more about that here and how important it is.
However, there are still conflict diamonds out there in circulation. Too many. And as someone who really likes to be conscious about what I put on and in my body, I’ve fallen in love with Brilliant Earth. It’s been a love story that has spanned the last decade. Pretty much as long as I’ve been with my now husband. At Brilliant Earth, their mission is to create a more transparent, sustainable, and compassionate jewelry industry. They believe in creating incredible pieces, without compromising on quality, that you can feel good about wearing. SIGN ME UP!
And they have more than engagement and wedding rings. They have beautiful earrings and necklaces (I’m wearing one of my favorites in the photos above) and bracelets and dazzling items that you will want to pass on for generations. And the best part? EVERY piece is ethical. You can read their inspiring mission here and feel good knowing the piece you love is also created with compassion.
So as you are making your Holiday Wish List and Gift List, feast your beautiful eyes on all that Brilliant Earth has to offer. (Here is a link to their Holiday Gift Guide, as well).
Here are a few of my favorite pieces that are perfect for gift giving (or requesting) this Holiday Season.
Their whole line of jewelry is so beautiful as you can see. Again, they have the kind of pieces that one wants to pass down.
As I approach my due date in February, I’m going to ask my husband for this ring as a push present. I love that you can choose a stone size and then build a setting around it. They also do that for their INCREDIBLE engagement rings, as well. It allows for more customization, which, if you’ve been following me for any amount of time, you know I love.
Anyway, you get that I’m a huge fan and will be for life. We all deserve a little glam in our lives and knowing this kind of glam is also ethical makes it that much better. Every time I put on a Brilliant Earth piece, I feel such a sense of gratitude and compassion.
I wish you the HAPPIEST of Holiday Seasons. May you find joy, bring joy, and give joy.
WITH SO MUCH LOVE,
Jaclyn Steele
note: I am an affiliate for Brilliant Earth (a partnership I am ENDLESSLY proud of). That means that if you purchase something from the links I’ve provided, I get a small commission.
Leave a Reply