How green are your wedding rings? Here's a list of some of today's most socially responsible and environmentally sensitive jewelry designers. (And be sure, too, to check out other lists that I've compiled of green-friendly jewelers, as leading you to eco-friendly engagement rings and bridal bands is just as important to me as it is to you!) 

•JAMES AND LILY JEWELRY

For James and Lily Jewelry, they specialize in creative custom engagement and wedding rings--but, though custom and handmade, they're very affordable. They're committed to using sustainable materials and ethical supply chains. 

•ALEXANDRA HART

Designer/goldsmith Alexandra Hart uses responsibly-sourced materials in all her designs. Committed to the cause, she's also on the board of directors of Ethical Metalsmiths, a non-profit organization that leads contemporary jewelers as well as consumers in helping them become informed activists for responsible mining, sustainable economic development, and verified, ethical sources of materials that are used in making jewelry. She designs wedding rings for both men and women.

•JUDI POWERS JEWELRY

Each piece of Judi Powers Jewelry Jewelry is handcrafted from recycled metals. From her studio in Brooklyn, New York, the designer creates striking sustainably made wedding rings that couples will be proud of: The metals are recycled and all diamonds are conflict-free.

•EAST FOURTH STREET

The East Fourth Street eco-jewelry collection is a culmination of designer Susan Crow and her deep connection to design and core belief in preserving and restoring the environment. "Never take away from it" is her motto.

•DIAMONDS WITH A STORY

The Diamonds with a Story Collection of Rio Tinto is a collective of several designers, chosen each year by diamond mine Rio Tinto. All of the jewelry--many engagement rings and wedding bands, especially, for women and men--are made of gold mined in the United States and they use diamonds from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia. Diamonds used are white as well as natural color diamonds, especially lots of champagne colors. In 2015, the four Diamonds with a Story designers are: Dawes Design, Suzanne Kalan, M.C.L. by Matthew Laurenza Campbell, and Sandy Leong.

•LINDHART DESIGN

Sourcing, recycling, and philanthropy are important to Lindhardt Design. When using natural diamonds in their rings and other jewelry, they partner with manufacturers, who allow communities to benefit from their own natural resources--and only in non-conflict areas. You can get rings in white or any color diamond. FYI, presently, this brand supports two organizations in particular with sales of their jewelry: The Kenya Education Fund (KEF) and 3 Mariposas Montessori (3MM).

•ANA KATARINA

A former Balkan War correspondent--interesting tidbit, isn't it?--the designer of this brand, Ana Katarina, makes bridal rings that are not only frequently inspired by natural surroundings but also made with respect to nature itself. She uses sustainably sourced diamonds and gems and recycled gold, 

•CHOPARD

You've seen their dramatic and dazzling fashion jewelry on many red carpets, but did you know that Chopard also has an extensive bridal ring line? What's more, the globally renowned jewelry house is in partnership with the Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM), an organization that works to repair environments damaged by gold mining and which also helps small-scale miners sell their metal through a fair-trade certification program.

•FOREVERMARK

You've seen ads everywhere for Forevermark diamond jewelry, especially their extensive bridal collection, which offers everything from classic to contemporary. Be assured that responsible sourcing standards apply throughout the entire journey of a Forevermark diamond in their rings.