Today Mark and I went wedding band shopping. As I mentioned in my
previous post about wanting a green wedding, we were looking for
antique (AKA recycled and green) rings. Platinum is a metal that is quite dirty in
an environmental sense, so we didn't want new ones.
Antique platinum is not easy to find, and we went from place to place asking before being turned away. However, in Gray's Antique Market in Bond St, there were lots of good possibilities. Some very old, and others from fifty to seventy years ago. Mark got my engagement ring from there. It's circa 1930's and it's absolutely, absolutely beautiful.
The jewellery in this market is amazing. Using the word market totally undersells what this place is - from cameo brooches (like the one you wish your granny had) to tiaras - dusty but gorgeous watches, eye popping aquamarine earrings - everything absolutely gorgeous. Diamonds everywhere.
We also went to the Burlington arcade and found this very upmarket jewellery store that looked like it might have antiques. We were ushered in and asked to sit down. As like in all these places, they sneak a look at my engagement ring to see what we can afford. We asked the question "do you have any antique platinum bands?"
"Antique" he asked. "Do you mean, second-hand?"
We smiled at him. "Yes"
"First of all - there is no such thing as
second-hand rings, and secondly, nobody would want that anyway"
"I would"
I said.
He looked at me. "Why would you want a second-hand ring that came from a dead person's finger, or a divorce?"
"Or someone who had a happy marriage" I
countered. "I think it's romantic".
"I've supplied rings to hundreds of couples, I advertise in every bridal magazine. Nobody wants a second-hand ring" he said.
So we left, thinking "what a wanker"
I don't want to be buried with my wedding and engagement rings. If our marriage is a long and happy one or lasts six months, that power isn't stored in a piece of metal. I would want someone else to enjoy it and continue to be a symbol of love for someone else.
Secondly - why is new better? When we are running out of raw resources, or
killing the planet to find the ones that we do still have (for the time being),
buying antique is not just incredibly romantic, but it's better for the
environment too. Believe me, when they are all shined up, you will never tell
the difference, NEVER. A wedding ring is only a symbol of love. Love isn't actually embodied in the physical thing. What is embodied is potentially some heavy forest degradation, child and
slave labour, supporting corrupt governments and poisonous environmental waste.
To give you an idea, a single gold ring can produce over 20 tonnes of mine waste. (source)
AH - rant over! What a self righteous little Virgo I can be sometimes!! If you are getting married soon, or just buying jewellery for someone you love - go antique, and make up a lovely story about the owner(s) of it, cherish for the time it's yours and then let it go for someone else.
Other posts you might like
My kinda sorta, not really Green Wedding
We are Circle, by Corrina Gordon-Barnes
Buying a wedding dress you can wear again, by Katie at Ethical Weddings
Mining and Its Effects on the Environment
If you would like to attend the Eco Chic Wedding & Home Show on Sunday the 8th March, readers of The Green Queen can get 2 for 1 offer on tickets (which would make them just £4 each) with the code: ECWHS-GQ
You make a really good point there Denise, and I completely support you.
I have a ring which I cherish dearly. Most people think I am married (its on the continental wedding finger), but it gives me a chance to tell a story.
The ring is in fact a hybrid (how eco). Upon his death in 1981, my grandfather passed his wedding ring to his wife in love, who wore it till her passing in 1992. She in turn passed it to her grandson, me.
In 2008, when I was confident my fingers had stopped growing, I looked to wear the ring. Sadly, my fingers are a lot larger than my grandfather's. Never to worry, my mother still had my grandmother's wedding ring.
So, the story goes that we reformed a ring for myself by combining both rings. A marriage of gold some might say.
As a trace of history I engraved both their names (Mary & Joseph) along with my own on the inside. This was it is important to me, not others. In time, I hope on my passing I will be able to give it to someone else to create their own story from.
The ring itself is only a year old, but is actually 80 years old, and is dear to me because of its significance, not its properties.
A long winded and pointless story, but it shows you the power these things have. So stick to your guns!
Posted by: Guy Collins | 02/27/2009 at 10:56 PM
That's a beautiful story Guy. It makes it so special when it's someone from your family.
Posted by: Denise | 02/27/2009 at 11:00 PM
GREAT post Denise. You're right on and I hope this inspires people to think differently. When you buy something 'new', it's not fresh and pure. It often has dark history/associations because of the way it was produced. And I love that idea that we can make anything old 'new' again by our thoughts, our intentions. You're fab!
Corrina
http://www.doingthingsdifferently.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Corrina | 03/03/2009 at 11:00 PM
Hi,
I just followed you from noimpactman! I'm getting married later this year and think it's a lovely idea to "go antique". We're running off to get married very simply with just two witnesses and would just like to shop for a couple of antique/vintage type rings for both of us in the few days leading up to the day itself. No date set as yet!!
Posted by: Carole | 03/18/2009 at 09:38 AM
Hey Carole,
I think the process of finding antique rings can be really fun. Shopping in out of the way places and the thrill of finding something can never be beat by just choosing something out of a catalogue.
Best of luck for your wedding!!
xxDenise
Posted by: The Green Queen | 03/18/2009 at 08:47 PM