Established in 2005, Brilliant Earth continued to bring ethical diamonds and jewelry to consumers. It’s not only the diamonds that sparkle with this company; virtually everything within the brand is responsibly sourced (including their packaging). With such high ethical standards, many will question the quality of the product and the premium they will pay for such a service. If you’re putting higher precedence on ethical production and safe working environments for your stones, here’s the complete Brilliant Earth review and breakdown of how this jeweler is setting themselves apart from the rest.
The Names Behind the Brand
Beth Gerstein and Eric Grossberg started the company in 2005 after finding an ethically sourced engagement ring and noting a lack of transparency in the industry. Initially using Canadian Mines as the source for ethical diamonds, the company extended into Namibia and Botswana. The company wanted to improve its reach further, bringing lab-grown diamonds and vintage rings to the market, too (lowering the environmental impact further). This decision was made after evaluating ethical standards and sourcing methods.
Virtually every product is ethically sourced, from the non-toxic, biodegradable cleaners to the wooden boxes for storage. The company believes in eliminating all unnecessary waste, reducing paper packaging, and a commitment to minimal impact overall.
Moreover, Brilliant Earth also has a foundation dedicated to social responsibility programs (including environmental projects and mobile schools).
The Website and Purchasing Process
When it comes to functionality, Brilliant Earth has an easy-to-use interface and seamless integration. The functionality is sleek and effortless, making the process accessible for any experience level. Brilliant Earth connects visitors with the company mission and fact-driven details about the diamonds they sell. The level of transparency with the product is quite extensive. The company believes in backing the products they sell with free returns, resizing, and shipping on all orders. Financing and payment options are available for anyone wanting to secure diamond jewelry with ethical standards.
Beyond Conflict Free Diamonds
The company claims all diamonds are free of conflict, which can be hard to accomplish in the industry. To follow this standard, a company has to ensure that the diamonds purchased aren’t financing civil wars, are environmentally responsible (meaning they don’t impact the environment more than it has to), don’t allow human rights abuses, use fair labor practices to mine, and involve community development in mining. That’s not a simple task for most companies, but Brilliant Earth seemingly has options to avoid these significant influences.
Lab-Grown Diamonds
Using extreme pressure and heat inside a machine, lab-grown diamonds are ethical options to naturally grown diamonds. These diamonds are developed utilizing a High-Pressure, High-Temperature system, with a seem placed amongst pure graphite carbon. Within the chamber, temperatures reach approximately 2700 Fahrenheit, producing a stone. Another method to create an artificial diamond is the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). These diamonds have a seed placed in a sealed chamber, which is then filled with carbon-rich gas. The unit heats to approximately 1400 Fahrenheit, producing a diamond atom by atom.
Botswana Sort Diamonds
These diamonds are sold by the De Beers partnership with the Botswana government. Debswana is currently the largest private-sector employer within the country, giving 5,000 locals gainful employment. The stones purchased to account for 1.3 of the nation’s GDP, making it a significant contributor. Currently, these mines follow international environmental and labor standards.
Yakutia region Diamonds
These regions are along the White Sea coast, providing thousands of jobs to locals. The majority of the mining employees receive wages far higher than the national average, bringing higher income, benefits, and housing to those who work within the mines. The mines serve as an economic livelihood, bringing additional resources to social infrastructure projects.
Canadian Mines
Diamonds mined within Canada are often sourced from the Ekati and Diavik mines. Known for having high environmental standards, the mines have a reputation for strengthening human rights. Sponsor scholarship funds, apprenticeship programs, and local hiring (including Indigenous communities) are top priorities.
Recycled Jewelry
Recycled items within the company are items sourced from refiners. Metals are created from existing gold jewelry, bringing new life into already existing products. Recycled stones include precious stones previously used in other items, minimizing the environmental and economic impacts of new mining.
How do these pieces compare financially?
Brilliant Earth puts the ethical implications of the jewelry industry front and center in everything they do. The rigorous protocols in place ensure customers have a level of transparency that is lacking in other companies. With robust traceability and a focus on environmentally and ethically responsible origins, consumers can purchase with confidence. As a certified and audited member of the Responsible Jewelry Council, Brilliant Earth believes in keeping the negative impacts of metal mining out of the industry. While the company may charge slightly more than other discount jewelers, the responsibility, transparency, and community involvement connected with Brilliant Earth sets them apart.
